Volume 13 , Issue 44

When the Fans Hibernate

The Beaver Herald, November 4, 1909, had the following article about baseball, written by James Bristol Green, with the heading, "When the Fans Hibernate." It was the ending of the season as the died in the wool baseball fans must content themselves with recalling the exciting games of the past season until the rich of the gong next spring starts the race for the season of 1910.

Names of two players stood out the season of 1909. Those names mentioned in the article were john Henry Wagner, better known as "Hans" Wagner, and Tyrus Raymond Cobb, the bright and leading stars of the National American leagues respectively.

The article stated back then that Wagner was the highest priced player in the game, but before that Hans Wagner signed his first contract for $35 a month when he won his nickname of "Big Dutchman" after he had been restrained by violent laying on the hands from wearing his uniform to breakfast.

Hans Wagner had no thought of becoming anything but pitcher until 1895 when he became a member of the Steubenville club in the old Central association. That was a time when Al Wagner, Claude Hitchey and Frank Boweman were on the team. During a slump the manager sent out a call for a pitcher and Al asked that his brother Hans be given a chance.

When Barney Dreyfuss, president of the Pittsburg club, sends out his contracts to his ball players every year he mails one to Hans Wagner that leaves the amount to the "Big Dutchman."

Tyrus "Ty" Raymond Cobb was another bright star of the American league. He stole 39 bases in 1908, but in 1909 season he made a new record, doubling his former mark. Cobb's purpose was to outguess the other fellow. He slid where they were not expecting him to slide. He had nine different methods of reaching a bag and he employed all of them. Cobb could slide head first or feet first. He could dive or he could go into the bag from any direction.

Cobb reached a bag many times in 1909 where he was not credited with a stolen base. Cobb may have been touched out, but the hand that held the ball will be unsteady, and should the ball linger on any part of the Georgian's body the ball stands little chance of remaining in the hand.

When Cobb played baseball he called forth everything he possessed -- strength, energy, speed and mind. He worked them all to the limit. During the 1909 season the prime of Cobb's life still remained to be reached. Cobb sprinted against the fastest throwers in the American league and he had beaten them. In 1907 Johnny Kling's arm stopped Cobb, but last year Cobb stole bases on Kling. Cobb could be half way to a base before most runners get a start and the pitcher unwinds himself, and he is into a bag before the throw from an average catcher reaches the baseman's hands. Ty Cobb was known as baseball's marvel.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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