Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 241, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 October 1914 — DAY OF BIG FIRST BASEMAN HAS PASSED [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DAY OF BIG FIRST BASEMAN HAS PASSED

The day of the overtowering first baseman Is past and .gone, says Harry Davis of the champion Athletics. Harry continued, saying, “The big one who held down the initial sack in days gone by could do just two things, that of hitting the ball mighty hard on the nose when it was grooved, and catching a perfect throw. “‘Stuffy’ Mclnnis has proved beyond doubt that a big fellow is rather in the way on first base in these days of fast, scientific baseball, providing the small fellow has the same requirements as that of Mclnnis. First basemen today are required to field, throw and run bases just like a fielder, and

be able to hit the ball hard and often. "The old-time first Backers, such as Anson and Brouthers, couldn’t hold a job in the big league today. Comfskey alone of those early first sackers could field. “Claude Rossman was about the last of the old type. The Athletics learned through Ira Thomas, previously with Detroit, that Claudio couldn’t throw. Hence in Rossy’s declining years the Athletics played to get the ball in his hands and then, well nothing could stop them on the bases. “This was the Slide on which Rossy went to the minors."

“Stuffy” Mclnnis, Initial Backer of Athletics.