THE SPALDING BASE BALL HALL OF FAME
(From Spalding's Official Base Ball Record.)
New faces enter into the Spalding Base Ball "Hall of Fame" this year. The object of this "Hall of Fame" is not necessarily to portray the very top men of each department of the national game, for it frequently happens in these days, when players take part in only a few innings now and then, that they become entitled to mention in the records, although they do not bear the real brunt of the work.
In the "Hall of Fame" will be found the men who might well be termed the "regulars." Day in and day out they were on the diamond, or ready to take their place on the diamond, if they were not injured.
NATIONAL LEAGUE.
First of all, Daubert has earned his place at first base for the season of 1912. Threatening in other years to become one of the group of leading players, he performed so well in the season past that there is no doubt as to his right.
There is a new player at second base. The regularity with which Egan of Cincinnati performed for the Reds earned him a place as the banner second baseman.
At third base the honor goes to J.R. Lobert, the third baseman of the Philadelphia club. In this particular instance Lobert was crowded, not for efficiency, but in the number of games played by Byrne, third baseman of Pittsburgh, and Herzog, third baseman of New York. In the matter of chances undertaken on the field, Herzog surpassed both Lobert and Byrne, but, in justice to Lobert, the honor seems to be fairly deserved by him.
John H. Wagner, the brilliant veteran of the Pittsburgh club, fought his way to the position of shortstop in 1912. His fielding was better than that of his rivals and at times he played the position as only a man of his sterling worth can play.
Owing to the fact that the able secretary of the National League, John A. Heydler, has compiled two methods of comparing pitchers, the "Hall of Fame" in the National League this year will include two faces. They are those of Hendrix of the Pittsburgh club and Tesreau of the New York club. The former won the greater percentage of games under the old rule in vogue of allotting percentage upon victories. Tesreau, however, under a new rule which classifies pitchers by earned runs, easily led the league. The editor of the RECORD is very much inclined toward Mr. Heydler's earned run record; in fact, has suggested a record based upon the construction of making every pitcher responsible for runs and computing his average upon the percentage of runs for which he is responsible. That places Tesreau in the front row, with Mathewson second.
There are two catchers who run a close race for the "Hall of Fame" in 1912. They are Meyers of New York and Gibson of Pittsburgh. Meyers caught by far the larger number of games, and, basing the work of catcher upon the average chances per game, seems to lead his Pittsburgh rival. Both men are sterling performers, and Meyers is an instance of the greatest improvement on the part of a catcher of any member of the major leagues.
For the position of leading outfielder, all things considered, Carey of Pittsburgh is selected for the "Hall of Fame." Not only did he play in the greatest number of games of any outfielder, but his general work in the outfield was sensational.
For the position of leading batsman the "Hall of Fame" honors Zimmerman, the powerful batter of the Chicago club. His work with the bat in 1912 approached in many ways that of the high class and powerful batters of old. He batted steadily, with the exception of one very slight slump, and his work as batter undoubtedly was of tremendous assistance to Chicago. Zimmerman did not shine alone as the best batter, as he was also the leading maker of home runs and the best two-base hitter of the season. That gives him a triple honor.
The best three-base hitter of the league was the quiet Wilson of Pittsburgh. Though not so high in rank as a batsman as some of his contemporaries, there was none in the organization who could equal his ability to get to third base on long hits.
Bescher, as in 1911, earned in 1912 the position of leading base runner in the National League. He stole more bases than any other player of the league, and was also the best run getter—that is to say, scored more runs than any other player.
AMERICAN LEAGUE.
First of all comes Gandil for first base. His greater number of games played and his steady work at first almost all of the season, as he did not join the Washingtons at the beginning of the season, places him in the "Hall of Fame" at first base.
Rath is a newcomer to the Chicago club, but by all around good work he earned the place at second base. Not so heavy a batter as some of his rivals, he covered a great amount of ground for the Chicagos and steadied the infield throughout the year.
For the position of shortstop, McBride of Washington is the logical selection. Day in and day out he was one of the most reliable shortstops in the American League.
At third base John Turner of the Cleveland club retains the honor which he earned for himself in 1911, and he is one of the few players who is a member of the "Hall of Fame" two years in succession.
In the outfield, for all around work, the place of honor goes to Amos Strunk, the young player of the Philadelphia club. He was in center field and in left field, and he was a busy young man for most of the year.
Pitching at a standard higher than the American League had seen for years, Wood of Boston is given the "Hall of Fame" honor as pitcher. His average of winning games was very high, and he was compelled to fight hard for many of his victories.
The man who caught him seems entitled to be considered the leading catcher. He is Cady of Boston, although for hard work Carrigan, also of Boston, gives him a close race.
Once more Cobb is the leading batsman of the American League. There was none to dispute his right to the title. He was also leading batsman in 1911 and is another American League player who holds a position in the "Hall" two years in succession.
The leading home run batter of the American League was Baker of Philadelphia. He earned the same title in 1911. It is a double "Hall of Fame" distinction for him.
Jackson of Cleveland enters the "Hall of Fame" by being the leading batter for three-base hits.
Speaker of Boston becomes a member of the high honor group by being the leading batter of two-base hits.
Lewis of Boston is the leading batter of sacrifice hits.
Collins of Philadelphia was the best run getter.
Last, but by no means least, of all, Milan, the clever outfielder of Washington, is the best base stealer of the year, and better than all the rest, earns his distinction in joining the "Hall of Fame" by establishing a new record of stolen bases.