Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-06-07
ADRIAN c. ANsON,


Although the subject Of this sketch, by
reason Of his length os service, and because
he has had such complete control Of the
Chicago team, Ii generally known as "Old
Man Anson," he Is far from being an old
man. He was born thirty-five years ago,
In Marshalltown, Iowa. His baseball
career began with amateur mines of his
native city in 1869. He remained an anna
teur until the end Of the season of 1870
His first professional engagement was with
the Forest Citys of Rockford, ILL.,, in 1871.
Almost from the start Anson was brill
fant success as an all round player He
gained such a reputation while with the
Forest Citys that he was engaged in 1879
by the Athletic club, of Philadelphia, Pa,
which was at that time the champion or
ganization, and played with that nine
when "Dick" Mcbride was the ideal
pitcher of the baseball world and "Fergy"
Malone hardly less celebrated as catcher.
In 1875 he went to Europe with the Ath-
lstics, and there astonished some OF the
English cricketers by the way he handled
the willow. In the match with the can
Ireland" eleven he made the highest indi-
vidual score. In 1875 Anson Joined the
Chicago club
As fielder "Anse" is little worse than
most Of the first basemen in the league,
according to the record, but according to
the chances he grabs at he will take back
seat for none Of them. President Spalding
reposes implicit confidence in the long
headed captain, and between them they
are pair that has more than once beaten
threes
On tho 6eld Anson, in spite Of his "kick.
ing" and his bulldozing Of umpires, which is
quite az notorious AZ that Of Ewing, and
oftentimes more to the purpose, is univer-
sally popular. His value as player, cap
tain and manager cannot be overestimated,
- may readily be judged by the able way
in which he has, during the past three
years, brought his almost experimental
teams to the front. His methods are more
Of the driving than the persuasive kind,
and the rigor with which he holds players
up to their duty does not make him over
popular with them. And yet few men
who ever worked for Anson have other
feelings toward him than intense admira-
ton and respect.
In private life Anson is one of the most
interesting and pleasant companions one
can ask for. He is great talker. There
are four subjects on which he will argue
with anybody: baseball, politics, billiards
and his trip around the world. He is a
fine story teller and can spin yarns MS long
us he can keep awake. He has been called
"the Rider Haggard of baseball" and so
far as the ability to tell an interesting mar
rative goes the sppelation is correct.
Anson has been the source Of great in
spiration to baseball writers for a de-
cade. He loves to talk to the scribes, and
nothing that is written about him worries
him In the least so long as he is not lied
about II like it," he told the writer once
'The more they write about me the better
II Is for the Chicago club and myself
"The more advertising ball player gets
the more money he gets" Anson seldom
contradicts yarn, and hence when ma.
terial is scarce space men work off no end
Of baseball fairy tales and attribute them
to the "Old Man"
Such, in brief, is Adrian C. Anson. Hon
orable in all his dealings, conscientious in
his duty TO his employers, always affable
man of integrity and grit-his word is
his bond and he fears nothing-a power
mentally, although not favored by the pol
ish Of education, and physically giant
Unless he chooses to retire voluntarily
this remarkable xlan is surely good fol
fve more seasons of active work.
w. /. HARRIS