St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-04-08

For two seasons he pitched all their
games, and started in with them for
the third year. But he pitched only
one game for them, and then came out
as professional ball player. 1t was
this way. The Beacons went to Worces-
ter Oh Fast day, 1882, to open the season.
They took George Wright along to play
short stop, and Clrakson pitched. He
made good showing, batting well, and
playing a strong game in his position.
The WOrceSterS were weak at third, and
after the game Mr.. Mason hired Clark
son to play third and be change pitcher.
That is where John began his profess
sional playing, but he did not make
brilliant success of it. He was
bothered with a bad shoulder,
and after six weeks he was laid
off for the balance of the season. This
was in 1882, when Arthur Whitney,
Pittsburg's third baseman, was playing
with the Detroits. When they were in
Worcester, Whitney was very much
pleased with ClarkSon's showing. He
at once concluded there was the making
of great ball player in GARRISON. The
next year, 1888, Arthur Whitney became
manager OF the SaginaWs,. and imme-
diately
There were in that team, besides
Whitney and Clarkson, Tug Arundel,
who was with the Hoosiers last year, and
Robinson, one of Won der Ahe's stars.
Clarkson was general utility man, and
played everywhere excepting behind
the bat. He was not steady in the out
field, having tendency to drop flies,
and for while was being weighed IN
the balance. 1t was a question of re-
leasing either Clarkson or a player
named Casey, but John was hitting the
ball hard and often, and Arthur Whit
ney stuck to it that he must be retained.
Right here was the turning point in
ClarksOn'S career as pitcher, and he
says himself that he owes much to Ar
thur Whitney for his present reputa-
ton. 1t was late in the season of 'S3
when he made new start, practically,
and began the journey which has
landed him as the star pitcher Of the
profession, surpassed by no one, and
equaled by only one or two. The Sag
inaws and Peorias were having des-
perate struggle for second place in their
league, and the excitement was at a
white heat. Three games of great i'm
them at Peoria, and the Saginaws
needed them. Up to this time Clarkson
had done all his pitching underhand.
He had never delivered the ball from
above the shoulder. The Saginaws ar
rived in Peoria ready for the three
games, and after breakfast Manager
Whitney took Clarkson out
BEHIND THE HOTEL,
and for three hours he kept John prac-
ticing, delivering the ball above the
shoulder, while he instructed and gave
him points. In the afternoon he pitched
against the PeoriaS and shut them out.
The next day he faced them again, and
again they were BANKED. In the third
game he was almost as successful. The
Peorias scored in only one inning.
ClarkSon had pitched in twenty-seven
innings against one club in three days,
and in only one inning had run been
scored. Johns reputation was made,
and from that time he has kept up his
winning gait. The season of 1854 found
his pitching for them was the talk of
base ball circles, not only in the North
western league, but all over. AL
though it was the season in which
pitchers generally were making won
derful ''strike-out' records. Clarkson's
featS in this line were particularly con-
SpicuouS. 1t was common thing for
him to strike out ten OF twelve men in
game, but often he ran up higher
than this. His most remarkable game
while with the Saginaws was one in
which he struck out nineteen men, and
his catcher made tWenty-three put-outs
on strikes and put-outs. Only one other
pitcher has equaled this record. Base
ball cranks will remember the day in
'S4 when Charley Sweeney, of the old
Providence Grays, struck out nineteen
of the Hub representatives on the South
End grounds. Before the season of 'S4
was far advanced John Clarkson could
have signed with almost any club in the
country, and many lines were thrown
out to catch him, when it became evil
dent that the SaginawS were not max
ing money and must go under. Boston
wanted him, and so did Cincinnati, but
Chicago stepped in and
WALKED OUT WITH THE PRIZE.
ClarkSon'S career as league pitcher
is familiar to all base ball enthusiasts.
He joined the Chicagos late in the sea-
son of "a, and played only twenty games
with them that year, but did good work
in those, with batting average of .26r.
In each of the three years since he has
been Chicago's mainstay in the pitchers
box, and has done good, steady batting.
He has pitched in more than half his
clubs games right along, but has never
weakened, as his temperate habits and