OCR Text |
Show combs owes job to joe McCarthy Yank Outfielder Was All Set to Teach School. Joe McCarthy, who has taken over the reins of the Chicago Cubs, Is responsible re-sponsible for developing Earl Combs, Yankee outfielder, and incidentally spoiling a good schoolteacher for Kentucky. In polishing off Combs to attract the eyes of the big league buyers, buy-ers, McCarthy made possible one of the most pretentious minor leagut players in the country. Combs was all set to teach tha youngsters of the Bluegrass reading and Its kindred arts In a little country coun-try school when he was spied by a scout from the Louisville club of th American association. Here Is the way It happened, In Combs' own words : "When I went to Louisville, I was greener than the rawest recruit from the bushes. "In my first game a line drive was hit to me that should have been an easy out. I ran in, misjudged It and the runner got three bases on It. My chance to atone for the rotten play came when a single was pelted over first. I went in to take It on the bounce and sat down on the ball. The runner reached third. "I felt like quitting, and if McCarthy Mc-Carthy had bawled me out, Kentucky would have had another good schoolteacher, school-teacher, but all Mac said was 'Don't mind that, boy,' and the fellows on the bench Insisted It was tough luck." Combs, however, continued to travel a thorny road. Louisville fans began to "ride" lilm for his awkwardness, and McCarthy, recognizing his sensitiveness, sensi-tiveness, kept him out of the home games and used him on the road. In the meantime Combs practiced for hours each morning. As the season neared Its close he was placed in the regular lineup, and made good without any trouble. A natural hit ter, he had acquired confidence and ability to handle himself gracefully. Then he was given his big chance. He was sold to the Yankees for a substantial sum, which later was used as the basis for building Farkway field at Louisville. |