Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-08

doubt, have refused to believe in the stories
told about this or that particular baseball
crank. 1 have, I confess, at various times
looked upon these stories with about the
same amount of credence that I used to
bestow in the stories relating to the alleged
discovery of the missing link. However,
am no longer in doubt, because In Edward
Everett Bell I have found all the symptoms
and all the characteristics of real and un-
adulterated baseball crank. / doubt il
possible to find citizen that comes within
eyesight of Mr.. Bell as q crank. 1t il
matterless what the theme of conversation
in q company may be or who the talker may
be, if Mr.. Bell is present it 10 safe
to invest ones last dollar on the fact
that he will interrupt with remark
about some ball player or feature of some
particular game. l am in earnest when I
saw that all verltable baseball cranks should
have some kind of arrangement by which
Mr.. Bell can be appointed commander in
chief of the baseball crsnks of the United
States. He is a fine gentleman, irrespective
of his baseball insanity. One thing regret
is that his good knowledge of the game is
somewhat compromised by his rabid parti-
ssnship in favor of the new League. He is
SO rabid in this respect that his opinions are
too one-sided to be forcible.
ga
PIttsburg Phil.
There has been much written lately about
George Smith, better known in sporting cir
cles as "Pittsburg Phil" Every now and
again we are told about his proEerbisl win
nings, and the stories regarding him have
become so numerous that much which is not
true has been told. However, the "luck,"
if 1 may term it, of "Phil" cannot we'll be
exaggerated. He is a remarkable man,
and probably the most remarkable on the
American turf to-day. I was talking to
him the other day just after he had backed
IL straight winners. Twelve straight
winnersl Just imagine that, ye unfortu-
mates, who yet about one winner, In year.
On the Thursday Mr.. Smith had backed
every winner on the course, and also the
first three seconds He duplicated this on
the Friday. As result his winnings were
tremendous, because he does not hesitate to
put up the capital. Well. now the question
is: Is it luck or judgment that pours wealth
so easily into this young mans possession?
I believe it is both. He has good judg-
ment, no doubt, but he also has reposed in
him many of the important condolences of
owners. This often Is worth all the luck
we can imagine. Mr.. Smith, however, is a
remarkable parsonage, but while he is an
example of success on the turf, there are
thousands who have been ruined BY its
speculations.
The PugiIlsts.
The general public has been led to believe
that pugilism in America is on the wane;
that there are not SO many bona 6de prize
fights as there used to be, and that before
long we will have no fights at all. There is
not much that is true in this belief There
are prize fights that the outside world hears
nothing at all about In this city, New
York, there are encounters nightly that in
many respects resemble the old-time battles
There is portion of the sporting fraternity
here that will never allow prize fighting to
die out as long as two combatants can be
found. This is developing new
class of e1ponents.of the manly art
a class, l fear, that in artistic
boxing is not the equal of the e1ponents
whom the world has admired during late
years. The class refer to seem to be
hangers on" at saloons of questionable
repute. For instance, an idol of the fistic
like Ike Weir can be found at all
hours IN the lowest haunts. There was a
time when even prize fighters had much
respect for their social conduct, but that was
when brave, manly men were the principals.
Prize fighters as a class nowadays do much
toward demoralizing everybody whom they
meet, ana wouldn't be sorry were fighting
to be entirely prohibited. The leading
sporting authorities of New York think that
Sullivan and Jackson will never fight and
[ am somewhat inclined toward that opinion
now. There is not the enthusiasm about
The great John L. that there used to be,
One thing is sure, however and that is III
ever he is defeated he will fall lower In pub
lie estimation than any leading pugilist of
this generation. PRINGLE.