Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 118, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 May 1919 — GEORGE SISLER IS BETTER ALL-ROUND PLAYER THAN BABE RUTH, SAYS RICKEY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

GEORGE SISLER IS BETTER ALL-ROUND PLAYER THAN BABE RUTH, SAYS RICKEY

In an epoch of tottering thrones Babe Ruth, all-round monarch of the diamond, would better be looking after the props of his empire. For —we have the word of President Branch Rickey of the Cardinals for this —in St. Louis there is one player who can depose the Boston marvel and himself assume the title of “most useful player in the game,” with just a little encouragement. This player, Rickey can outhit, outpitch, outrun find outthink Ruth; he can fill more positions than Babe Ruth and play any or all of them better. He has more aggressiveness, more daring—more everything, in short, save only salary and reputation. The only reason this star has not already utterly eclipsed Ruth in fame, popularity and salary Is that he Is a victim of poor exploitation and too great personal modesty. Soft-Spoken Fighter. Slsler —yes, that’s the fellow Rickey: has in mind —a soft-spoken fighter, a velvet-pawed tiger when roused, is a player whose powers of concentration (according to Rickey) enable him to fill not only acceptably but in a masterly style any position assigned to him. , ' In an interview the Cards’ leader explained his optimism regarding Slsler’s future. Rickey has the right to discuss Sisler, because he discovered him as a college, star at Michigan university, jockeyed him out of the possession of Barney Dreyfiiss into the hands of the St. Louis Browns, and they gave him his first big league Instruction. It Pays to Advertise. “Babe Ruth fills the public eye,” Rickey said, “not only because he is a

great pitcher and hitter, but because the fullest use has been made of him to advertise his strength in these two departments. Babe can jiltch in world’s championship form and clout a home run over the fence; he can clean the bases in a pinch, and he can bring his heavy artillery into dally play by handling a first base or outfield position acceptably. “In this respect he, however, does not surpass or even equal Sisler. George is as great or a greater pitcher than Ruth. I know this. He showed me his quality in major league games, too. Look back at his record if .you don’t believe this. Ass a batter and all around player, I leave the records to show his ability as compared with Babe. He batted .337 last year to Ruth’s .297; he led the league in stealing bases in an abbreviated season, distancing Cobb and the other stars of the American league. Fourth in Fielding. “He was fourth first baseman in fielding percentage; as an outfielder he showed wonderful promise. His great covering ability, fine throwing arm and daring would make him a star at any position, where Ruth would be merely a defensive filler-in, tolerated because of his hitting. Save for the pitching his superiority to Ruth will not be disputed by anyone, and I myself am certain that he is also Ruth’s pitching master. “Why is it that Ruth is so much more prominent than Sisler, and draws twice as. much salary as the St. Louisan? The answer Is that Sisler has not been exploited beyond 50 per cent of his publicity value, and not more than 70 per cent of his playing efficiency.”