Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 225, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1914 — SIZE DOESN’T COUNT WITH BALL PLAYERS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SIZE DOESN’T COUNT WITH BALL PLAYERS

Someone has revived the question as to whether big men or little men play the better baseball. The question is a good ddal like the. one discussed among players—whether nine Walter Johnsons could beat nine Ty Cobbs. But it is interesting. Here are teams a fan suggests: Little team —O’Neill and Schalk, catchers; Cicotte and Fisk, pitchers; Mclnnes, first base; Evers, second base; Maranville, shortstop; Maisel, third base;{ Leach, Milan and Ehler, outfield. Tall team —McLean, catcher; Main, Davenport and Falkenberg, pitchers; Knight, first base; Cutshaw or Blackburn, second base; Mcßride, shortstop; Moriarity, third base; Hos man, Collins and Snodgrass, outfield. Big team —Meyers and Henry catchers; James, Reulbach, Hagerman and Vaughn, pitchers; J. Miller, first base; Lajoie, second base; Wagner, shortstop; Zimmerman, third base; Oldring, Vincent Campbell and Hyatt, outfield. One ’can pick a little team that probably would win, a tall team the same way, and the big team just as easily. Undoubtedly the style of ball flayers now runs to the*strong, big

fellows, especially in the pitching line. Four out of every five pitchers In the, major leagues now are close to six feet and 200 pounds. Styles have changed wonderfully. The managers are after men with the weight and strength to stand the wear and tear of a season, or of a dozen seasons, but the little men are not barred. Look back over the lists: Anson, Delehanty, Comiskey, Williamson, were giants of men. Anson wanted huge fellows with driving power behind them. On the other hand, Hugh Duffy was at his greatest at 14(f pounds, Willie Keelpr weighed about 135, McGraw was a little man; Griffith, Cunningham, Radboume, Billy Sullivan, scores of great players, were small. i Tip O’Neill weighed 98 pounds when he was catching 200-pound pitchers, who took a five-foot run and hurled the ball at him .from 50 feet. Rusie was of the fat, short-armed type, and so was Toad Ramsey. Michels, Tacks Parrot, and Scissors Foutz were slim, lanky fellows. So it doesn’t scetn to make much difference. It is the spirit in the man, rather than the size, that makes the ball player.

Vincent Campbell, Outfielder With Indianapolis Federals.