Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 240, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1912 — SPITBALL ARTISTS ATTRACT ATTENTION [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SPITBALL ARTISTS ATTRACT ATTENTION

Chief interest in the National league pennant chase no longer centers about the hurling achievements of Richard Le’ Marquis, alias Rube Marquard. How the wry-necked, tall and rangy southpaw of the New York Giants carved his niche In the pitching hall of fame by winning 19 straight has been jotted down on history’s page, three successive beatings following the establishment of that high-water mark.

Other truly greats have risen to take prominent places in the headline section, notably Larry Cheney, Jimmy Lavender and Marty O’Toole past-masters In the art of spitball pitching. A few years ago the classy exponents of this sort of twirling could be counted on the fingers of one hand. In fact, John J. McGraw, maker of champions, contends there have been only three real spitball marvels —Jack Chesbro, Ed Walsh and Russell Ford. Two other veteran field generals, likewise makers of champions, Frank Chance and Fred „Clarke take issue with McGraw on this point. The Cub leader would add the names of Lavender and Cheney, his present-day., slab phenoms, to those of Walsh, Chesbro and Ford. Down Pittsburgh way Clarke hails his $22,500 find, the sorrel-topped O’Toole, as the one best bet of all time. Spitball heavers are bobbing up with startling reg-

ularity and setting a lively pace for the curving wizards who dote only upon the ancient and honored roundhouse delivery, and another season or two will probably find the moistened delivery In general use on all clubs.

Among Lavender’s most important victories was one scored against Marquard, the defeat putting a sudden halt to Rube’s record-busting string of triumphs and starting McGraw’s men on a downward Blump.

Jimmy Lavender of Chicago Cubs.

Marty O’Toole of Pittsburg.