The sun., 1890-01-26
sENA1oR eoRMAN TALKS BAsE BALL.
He Tells About the Old Days when Hard
Hitting Was q Feature.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.-Despite the fact
that affairs Of national Importance engross o
great deal of Senator Germans time he has
not forgotten his old-time achievements on
the diamond. and is never happier than when
discussing matters pertaining to base ball
And 1t is a wonder. too. that with SO many
other business transactions on his hands
the Senator from Maryland keeps so we'll in
formed on what Is transpiring among the play
Ors. In the controversy between the League
and the Brotherhood he is right up on current
events. and no matter what other calls there
may be upon his time and attention he docs
rot fail to read daily all that Is transpiring In
he base ball world. No enthusiast on the top
oats OF the bleaching boards shows more In
tfest or enthusiasm whom o game is in prog
ras, and among the regulars who frequented
CAitol Park last season no one was more
pr6npt in attendance than Senator German.
IIeSas not at all backward either in contrast
ingthe playing to-day with what 1t was a
auaSer OF a century ago. and one OF his NEST %
r!eiiaIe contdants in these chats was Billy
Miili'ns who became famous as the swiftest
pi,che the Nationals ever had. Senator Cor:
In heyhte Lot south OF the Executive Man:
sion, w\s known as an all-round player and
thoroualy reliable hitter when runs were
Potiahave taken the place Of the ball and
mt temrrariy. but the Senator lives over the
conGeniailpirits to listen to his remintscences.
It was whle in this humor few evenings ago.
Wood lre That ats Senator senate " Gornsn nam freely dis.
cusSed themethods OF base ball twenty-five
years ago aNd as they are In vogue: .-,.,..
and magnats." he remarked. ito whom we
could go for 'unds to carry on the game; the
as possible. When It was known that a club
from abroad vas coming to this city sub
leAannlh
tionaIs would meet them at the depot and es-
at the capital hey would be our guests In
every sense OF De word. No matter which
afternoon. there WIS % sure = to be a roIsing re:
SSePtion and ban9qt to vietors and ya99ulshed
soW M fro Hp 81 sFf his b
dQes Of his athletic bat. or football club;
batting and sharp ieldng, and there, was not
StShGn the speed VIII which
work of the pitcher brutal but uninteresting to
emajoritX OF the spectatoes at a championship
ing astalwart : abIe- bodied IAN hurllnG a bali at
PLAYER as though It came Eom cannon and
sppS 9ho e umpre Is SS
ing balls or strikes, as the cass may be? Bet;
& ssr lot the pitcher slacken his speed little and
neiders, as In former times.
That reminds me OF how the Nationals on
enc occasion obtained o player who afterward
proved to he one OF their star men. Our, nine
had gone over to Georgetown College to play
game, and tefore the contest began our atten-
u9n was attiacted by tall. slim young fellow
The ball overthe fence at the southern end OF
ne enclosure Upon inquiry We ascertained
{nAt the heavy batter was George Fox, and that
no mad Just graduated and was preparing to
g. 70 his homo In New York. He was ques-
s.hhed Msohhed and urged to remain In Washington, one
Hitnelnducements offered him being q position
sHys there was no such thing as civil service
T toiorm and the majority Of our members were
men VINO held official positions and welded q
kIeat deal OF Influence. Our arguments proved
100 potent for Fox. and he consented to remain
WIN US, ana We never regretted our bargain,
a. some OF his long drives to the willows In the
WHaIle house grounds will live in the memory
vi the old-timers who witnessed them"