New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-20

CAPTAIN ANSON
He was born in Mar.hatown, Iowa. III 1852. lie
was natural athlete from the start, and it has been
said OF him that when he n boy in the cornheld
in the woods he would leave the Plough occasionally
to turn 1ip-Gap, when he was in the woods he
would throw aside his axe indulge in an imaginary
encounter with some adversary. When lie went to
school lie played ball, when he got out of school he
played ball. and he has been playing ball ever since
His first important engagement was with the Forest
City Club, of Rockford, Ill, in 1871. His position
on the field was at that time undetermined. He
played third base and left field. In 1872 he went to
the Athletics of Philadelphia. and remained there
four years playing right field, third base and catcher
all with equal and success. In 1876 he went
to Chicago being engaged at that time as a regular
third -baseman In 1873 lie played second base and
left field but It was not until 1870 that he went
permanently To first base. which position he has oc-
cup!ed ever since He accompanied the Athletics TO
England in 1874, and in the cricket match with the
Al-Ireland eleven he had the honor Of making the
highest score. Ho led the National League In
batting in 1873 with the unprecedented average OF
4O7. In 1880 he camo in second in this respect, and
led again in 1881. and was second again In 1882
In 1870 80 and 81 he had the best fielding average
of all the frstbascmen.
Arson has found II necessary at times when his
pitchers were disabled TO go into the pitchers boz
himself and has covered this position most credtably
in fact the old warorse has played nearly all the
positions on the field, and has played them well
Auson by some critics. IS not considered great ball
player They ascribe his greatness solely to his ex-
cellant management or leadership. Arson, taken al
together is probably Of the finest balpIyers, II
not the finest, this country has ever produced. AS
mentioned above, he play in any position on the
field no is q remarkable batsman, and considering
his weight he is a fairly good baserunner. Arson Is
probably one of the largest men in the profession
hoinc n footO I'm
nciehborhood of $50 pounds.
1t is undoubtedly a fact that no other player mas
ever met the success field captain that Nhso
has lie has the faculty to get all the balplaying out
of player there is in him, and when engaged IN
came his directions are strictly and promptly obeyed
by every man; if they not that man must suffer.
lie is powerful batter and has the reputation OF being
better able to place the ball at critical moment than
any other player in the profession
OF course if is all nonsense 10 say that any player
can put the ball in any part of the diamond That nc
DESIRES although people believe that this can be
DONE In these modern times it is fortunate thing
when man is lucky enough to hit the ball at all; still
Arson will come probably nearer placing hit than any
other man who plays baseball And it Is possible that
with slow pitcher Arson will come very close to being
able to put the ban Just about where he wants to- Oh
course against such speedy pitchers as Rlsc, crane
and Rhnes, or against such strategists as Sharrou,
Garrison or Hutchinson it is two to one that Arson VIII
bat and as for placing the ball against such pitchers
that is simply out Of the question.
One of Anson's strong points is his ability to get
good base-runnng out OF his players. This is one of
the strongest elements in the playing OF the Chicago
team Another OF their virtues is the manner in which
they back up each others playing This is an extremely
necessary adjunct to successful ball teams Opposing
playes seldom make many bases wild throws OF chi
cago men, For instance, il shortsOp or third basemah
throws wildly to first, either the second baseman or the
catcher Is pretty TO be behind the man 10 HELD te
ball. throw from the outied to the plate VIII ina
the shortstop pitcher behind the catcher. II TINS
plan were followed more reigiOusy in the New YORK
team the Giants would have better record this year.
Arson is q thorough disdpnarlan in everything per
tanning TO baseball. He drills his men with as much
thoroughness and system as general goes through
the rnanoeuvres with his soldiers Before the Chicago
team goes on the field every player knows Just what
he has 70 do If by chance one of the men should
forget his duty Arson Is there to remind him Of IT,
The players have been thoroughly drilled in their base
running and teamwork. These two elements nave
won many a game for the Chicago team TINS year'
Game after game has been won that way where dcIeat
seemed certain. The old warholse Is quick to discern
and to take advantage Of every mistake made by Ills
ouponents However slight the mistake Arson is al
ways prompt and persistent in claiming every advantage
He is great believer In tricks The ball field, apd
any PLAYER who resorts 10 them TO the benefit OF the
Chicago club meets the warm approval OF his captain
a
was TO appear would be singularly impressed by the
demonstration awarded Arson when he and his players
anpear on the field The average person not anll ar
with the ways of baseball would think that half he
spectators were anxious 20 mob the Old man, while the
other half were ready TO fall down and worship nm
The general feeling shown toward Arson In the different
cities composing National League Is about me sane
He is respected by every bOdy and his great ability US
general Is universally recognized some OF MS Pc
culares do not meet general favor, @ pec'alg ms
Kicking" propensites. This Is what gave Arson INC
soIfbriquet Baby" title which has hung 10 Tue Ola
man fight through his baseball career; lie does ho1
seem TO mind ii BIT however, and plays lust as ull
oonOerncdly through storms OF applause as ne uOes
through avalanche Of Kisses. . -, -.
Hc is OF the few ball players In the country VIM
are not affected by criticism either from the press o e
spocators al games. He Is probably the most IN
concerned man who PLAYED OH the glcen-dlalohd
6eld Some Of the articles which have appeared ~ tne
Chicago newspapers from time 10 time would nave SCI
an ordinaFy man crazy. OF course, now tha' Ahsoho
team will win the championship this year, me hcSi'
papers VIII aud the captan 10 The skies ana nOihne Is
100 QoOd for him but In previous years when Anson
ala not win the championship some "a uOsc SAME
critics have made it wnrm for the Old fellow. IT,.
Arson Is a married man, and last winter hO.cc
wa cent out something like this: short but TO ne
point Baby Anson's father was elected Mayor OF ihs
Town last night" Just who Baby Anson,s iather
really is nobody 10 know outside OF bis native
heath. - ,,.. f. Tho land
rbere Is not a game-ruler in The country who would
not rather umpire dozen games which Alison was
lind fault. Even the princes Of umpres' The keiVs'