Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-05
THE PREACHER PITCHERS.
Muscular Christians who are interested
i'm Baseball.


rr srTT G r& 100 ~ Y1g9TTs- k
From the N. Y. Mornng journal. sfesea
The average individual probably thinks that
the church and baseball have no relationship.
and probably they have not. Still baseball has
in Its ranks some Young men who win in time
adorn the pulpit. The pulpit has among its
brightest orators some who have In past seasons
graced the green-diamoud field. ass
bright young preacher, named Milton Merle
Smith. is coming to New York. He will be here
on the lst OF March, and viii take charge Of the
Central PRESBYTERIAN church, in 57th street, be-
tween Broadway and 7th avenue. This Is one
OF the most prominent places OF worship in the
city. The Rev. DR.. Wilson was formerly the
regular pastor Of the church, but since his death
| last spring the pulpit has been occupied by sew
eral ministers The Rev. Willard Parsons is
regular attendant at the church and has had IN
the last year ortw0 considerable correspondence
with DIR. Smith. ~ ,Es S9 vs ~
''Young Smith is bright young man." said
DR.. Parsons yesterday. she has at various
times assisted me materially in, the fresh-air
work In which l am interested. ! have sent
many poor children to Canandaigua. and DR..
Smith has done much to find temporary homes
for the children. He has been one of my regular
correspondents for some time. Smith IS a
muscular Christian of whom we may all be
proud" -
DR.. Smiths salary win be 81 900 year, said to
be the largest salary ever paid to clergyman OF
his age. He Is just past thirty. The young man
originally came from Elmira but it was at Cleve-
land. that he won faIBe as a clergyman. his
family Is highly connected, his father at one
time being one of the supreme court judges.
His brother Waiter at present occupies the posi-
ton formerly held by his father. Milton Merle
Smith graduated from Princeton in the fame us
class of 1877. He was one of the best orators
and athletes at Princeton, and was one of the
most popular young men who ever attended
that institution. He was a good scholar and
writer, but 1t was in baseball that - billy
Smith, as all his college chums called him, made
his mark.
He was one of the first college pitchers to
solve the mysteries Of the curve ball, and with
his famous "snake twists" bowled batters
down as fast as they stood up before him. His
excellent pitching did much to win the baseball
championship for the black and orange in two
different years. Professional clubs offered Smith
big salaries to join their teams, but he refused.
He said he played the game for the love of the
sport and the physical good it did him. and not
for money. While good ball-player, he was also
thorough all-round athlete, but never forgot
his religious views even IN the most rough and
tumble sports. He was converted by Moody
and Sankey during the visit of these evangests
to Princeton in 1885, and has always remained
faithful to his VOWS. Not only do many people
owe their change In character since to BILLY"
oiiiitii. Jul iit iHuCu gOOu WOEk uHiOifS
his fellow collegians. He is still firm believer
in muscular Christianity and never pitched
worse In order that he might preach better. He
was the class-day orator at Princeton and was
as popular among the students there as Stagg
Yae's praying pitcher, is at the New Haven in
stitute to-day. His success as a preacher has
not caused his love for the national sport to
subside. and 1T Is probable that he will be a
regular attendant at the Giants games next
summer. 1t is possible that he may connect
himself with one of the Young Mems Christian
association mines. and il he does the other
mines had better look around for a strategic
pitcher
Alonzo Stage is another muscular Christian
and the most famous pitcher ever turned out
by Yale college. Stagg is studying for the min
istry ana Is at present having religious talks
with the members Of various Young Mems
Christian associations. He has done much to
win the baseball championship Of Yale during
the last two years. He is pitcher of wonderful
resources, as well as one of the best all-around
players in college. He is also regular MEM
Der of Yale's wonderful football team and did
much to win the kicking championship for that
college last fall. Several professional clubs have
offered Stagg large salary to iOin their teams,
but he has always refused. He will pitch for
the Orange Athletic club this wear. Manager
Mutrie wants to make giant of Stagg and may
vet secure the famous praying pitcher for the
New York club. Stagg is not tall, but is IN
usually muscular. He is a great tavOrite with
everybody who knows him. He is said to offer
prayer before he goes into the pitchers box.
Among the local enthusiasts who are regular
attendants at the Polo grounds are Father JAS
per- OF Manhattan college, and the Rev. w. War
rem Giles. of the Church ofthe RedeeQnr. DR..
Giles church is in west 13lst street al 18th av-
! enue. He is another muscular young Christian
and q thorough apostle of baseball.