The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1956-01-21
S Sports
Hall of Fame Needs
Connie Mack InfieId

Baseball writer's who decide each year the dia-
mond stars to be enrolled in the Hall of Fame con-
tnualy overlook one of the greatest memories of the
game.
How can they possibly ignore Connie Mack's inn
mortal million dollar infieId?
McInniS, Collins, Barry and Baker These great
names are part of baseball that have lived indel
IDLY through one new generation and seem destined
to be remembered forever
Ask the smallest kid on the sandlot what he has
learned OF baseball and he will talk of this famous
lntleld with the enthusiasm and excitement as
he talks of Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth
McInnis Collins, Barry and Baker. No other COM
binaton of names has ever so solidly implanted it
self into the memory of the American baseball fan.
Not the immortal double-play combination of
Evers, Tinker and Chance.
Baseball writer's who decide each year the dia-
Whenever and wherever outstanding infield
comes along in modern baseball they Immediately
become the victim of inevitable comparison
When their great plays are being recorded after
a game, the writer always pauses to ask the same
question; how do they compare with McInns Collins
Barry and Baker?
Individually modern baseball may have
produced its superiorS. But a combination
their fame goes on unchalenged The game
of baseball has yet to produce anything to
match them.
Through some strange sense of reasoning,
two members of the unit have been selected
for the Hall of Fame and two have been by
passed.
No one can deny that Eddie Collins was not en-
titled to the honor The same must be said of Home
run Frank Baker.
Collins may be truthfuly classed as the peer Of
all second baSemen. And Bakers ability to hit home
runs in the days of the dead ball might also class him
as the outstanding specialist of his time
But most of their accomplishment came their
way because they were part of the unit.
1t was the unit not the individuals, that Connie
Mack talked about when this famous Philadelphia
Athletics infield was burning up the league.
Their finesse was much like the miracle machine
of this modern age. One weak link in the chain of
gears and it would not have functioned so well.
But to discuss them as individuals,
it remains mystery as to why the solicitors
have overlooked our own John Snuffy Nc
Innis, first sacker of this brilliant infieId.
He ended his career with a lifetime bat
ting average of well over the 300 mark and
seldom during his is years in the majors was
there a first baseman to equal him as a
fielder.
But beyond that, he boosted still another record
an unusual record which seems to warrant granting
him all the rewards and honors that the game of
baseball has to offer According to Mack, he was the
only first baseman in baseball who did not fear Ty
Cobb.
It is one of the more better known legends in
baseball that all players WINGED and cringed when
Cobb started running the bases.
According to the stories they tell, the Georgia
Peach turned singles into doubles because OF the
great speed he picked up rounding first base
He always cut full speed on the inside OF the bag
-. and he succeeded in saving these precious steps
because the first baSeman got out OF his way when
he saw him coming down the line.
But not so with McInnis. Maybe McInnS hadn't
read about Cobb when he joined the Athletics out of
Gloucester high school If So rookie Cobbs rep
utation as the terrible Tiger failed to impress him.
They claShed the very first day that Mack
put McInnis on first base. In the late innings
Cobb hit one over the shOrtstOp. Cobb tore
down first base intent on cutting inside the
bag and going on to second. But much to
Tvs surprise, McInnis was straddlng the bag
when Cobb arrived. There was only one thing
left for Ty. He had to run around Mclnnls
Being forced to do so cost him two or three
extra steps He realized it when he was half
way to second, and had to turn back
According to those who remember the scene GOOD
called McInns every choice word IN his private olc
tionary. 49,,
''You fresh little pup" he roared, I'm giving you
fair warning When 1 start running get out OF my
way If / ever have to run around you again I'll cut
YOUR blankety-blank legs into ribbons
When the inning was over, Mack was waiting
for McInnis at the top Of the dugou He put his arm
around his young rookie and gave nm Dig mug
Then for all to hear he said;, I've fnally tound
somebody who isn't afraid of Ty Cobb And ne hao
In ali the years that Cobb stayed in the league,
McInnis never let him make his turn on the INSIDE
of the bag .,..,r.r.,.i.. ,,o,,d =,
+er the Hail of Fame on the claim that he defied Iy
We're not speaking for McInnis OF Jack
Rarrv as individuals. We feel, as all American
baseball fans must feel that he was one of
Connie Macks famous infield. Greatest In
the long and illustrous history OF the game.
Their deeds and fame as unit VIII DC
remembered long after their names are
forgotten. - +,,rs min to
mentioned in the conversation with ny Cobb and
Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner A.. .o
But no unit will ever be mentioned IN the SAINT
breafh with Connie Mack's famous ntleld
They are legend to be used Tor geneIatloIS "