Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 118, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 May 1916 — COMPARES BENNY KAUFF WITH TY COBB [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

COMPARES BENNY KAUFF WITH TY COBB

“Benny Kauff?” Hughey Jennings, master of the greatest baseball player the game can boast, Ty Cobb, repeated the last two words of a query and a hundred freckles lighted up as he smiled. “O, he’s a good ball player—a fair ball player. But it isn’t fair to mention him in the same breath with Ty Cob. Selling Platers don’t stack up with stake horses.” And just a few days ago Jennings saw the two pitted against each other as center fielders, in a game between the Tigers and the New York Giants at Houston, Tex. Ty Cobb, playing his first game of the year without a workout, made Kauff look awkward, says the boss of the Bengal ranch. A few days ago John McGraw, Benny

Kauff’s master, came forth with a statement after seeing Cobb in that game that the Tiger without doubt was the greatest natural ball player he had ever seen. Jennings agreed with him absolutely. And he has a few good things to say of Kauff. “Kauff will hit .300 in the National league,” the “ee-yah” singer declares. “But that isn’t as difficult a Job as hitting .3do in the American league. The former Federal leaguer would be only an average ball player in the American league. We’re a lot faster-than the National.” “What would Cobb hit in the National league then?” he was asked. “I can’t think of such big numbers,” the answer came back.

Benny Kauff and Ty Cobb.