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CubsCrack CatcherBy BURNLEYIft* Km* bp.Jime Ini C.irst briuin uhi$ lesci*rXONE of the most colorful figures in the big league baseball circus is Leo “flabby” Hartnett, heavy-set backstop of the Chicago Cubs.flabby has always been popular with the fans. His likeable personality and his colorful mannerisms on the ball field, together with his unquestioned greatness as a catcher, combined to make him a tremendous favorite in Chicago.Hartnett is getting along inyears and has become more heavy-footed of late, but lu* is hitting as well as ever, and his crafty old noodle makes him a valuable asset behind the bat. even if he has slowed down and his throwing arm isn’t what it used to be.You know, dubby used to have just about the greatest throwing arm of any catcher in the majors.His rifle-like tosses made base-runners think twice before they attempted to pilfer any sacks when Hartnett was behind the bat. Thenone day several seasons ago Gabby's arm went dead on him. Specialists were unable to help him, and it was thought that his playing days were over.The big fellow refused to be discouraged, in spite of this tough break, and was determined to make a comeback. For more than a year he carefully nursed the lame arm, using special exercises to strengthen it, and finally brought it back to normal. He never quite recovered the old Hartnett bullet-like speed and accuracy in his throwing, but just the same the boys aren’t doing any parading around the base-paths when dabby is doing the receiving.The big Cub catcher’s bat hascome in for a lot of discussionamong National League ball players. It is the heaviest wagon tongue of any in the big leagues, and is supposed to weigh 48 ounces, although a lot of people claim that it really weighs more than 50.Hartnett deserves a lot of credit for the efficient way in which he has handled young Lonnie Warneke, the Cubs’ brilliant kid pitcher. Some Chicago critics are comparing young Warneke to the great Grover Cleveland Alexander, Cub ace of a decade and a half ago. Hartnett caught old Alex before he left the big show, and while he refuses to make any comparisons, Gabby says that Warneke is a great young pitcher who hurls a lot like Alexander used to.Copyrlftit, 1933. King Feature* Syndicate. Inc.
Newspaper Details
The Crescent-News
Defiance, Ohio, US
Sat, Jun 17, 1933
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Michael W.
NA, 17 Apr 2023
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