, 1891-10-20
JOIN MONTGOMERY WARD.
Sketch of the Ball Player. Lawyer, An.
thor and Leader of Men.

Sketch of the Ball Player. Lawyer, Au-
thor and Leader of Men.
John Montgomery Ward was born at
Bellefont, Pa, March 8, 1890. He began
his baseball career while a student at the
Pennsylvania State college, alternating as
pitcher and third baseman Of its nine.
During his vacations Ward had pitched for
semiprofessional teams OF Lock Haven,
Remove and Williamsport, Pa, and had
attained considerable celebrity when he
was induced to join the Athletics Of Phila-
delphia, making his first appearance in the
professional arena as the pitcher OF that
club, in a game with the Hartford club, Of
the National league, on jun 80, 1S77, in
Brooklyn. He did not remain long with
the Athletics, however, and after pitching
for the Philadelphia club until it dis
BANDED he was engaged by the professional
team OF Evansville, Wis, where he re-
maine several weeks, and then concluded
the season OF 1877 by playing right field
and change pitcher for the newly organized
Buffalo club.
Ward begaa the season OF 1873 as pitcher
or the Crickets of BinghRmton, n. Y, and
on their disarmament in July was engaged
by the Providence club. with which he re
malned until the close OF the season of 1882,
acting as pitcher during that period and
occasionally playing third base. His eff
iGCNlNt curve plLCulnB RTtdtlg hlueu tbe
Providence team, not only in winning the
championship OF the National league in
1879. but in maintaining a prominent posi-
ton In the professional arena in succeeding
seasons. When the club won the cham
pionship in 1870 Ward was its only pitcher.
He Joined the New Yorks In 1888 as a
pitcher, but his pitching arm soon gave
out. He remained on the team, however,
playing center field and second base and
finally located himself Mt shortstop. He
was captain of the team in 1867 and
showed a remarkable aptitude for the posi-
ton in spite Of adverse circumstances.
That he did not make a success in this posi-
ton was not because he was not qualified,
for II is generally acknowledged that man
agerial interference and internal dissen-
siOns and jealousies which were beyond
Wards control were severe handicaps to
his success and resulted in his resignation.
In the fall OF 1888 A. G.. Spalding selected
Ward to captain the All-American team,
which, in company with the Chicago team,
made the memorable our around the
world. 1t was on this trip that Ward
proved that as a captain he has few su-
periors.
While Ward was en- route to Australia
the New York and Washington clubs made
a deal whereby the former agreed to let
Ward 90 to Washington in consideration
of $4,000. All that was needed was Wards |
consent TO the transfer. On his return he
named his terms TO President Hewitt.
They were prohibitory and were declined.
Ward remained a member OF the New York
club.
During the summer and fall of 1889
Ward conceived the scheme of an opposi-
ton league. He, practically alone, organ
lied the Players league which made so
strong a fight in 1890. Ward was the head
and front Of an organization which was
founded on a solid rock OF principle. At
the end Of the season the Players league
had the better of the situation, but the cap
italists weakened and Wards work went
for naught. A compromise was agreed
upon with the old League clubs by which
the latter regained all their power.
Ward did not return to the New York
club after that He preferred to remain
IN Brooklyn, where he has acted MS captain
and manager this season. A succession OF
serious accidents handicapped the Brook
Ign team TO such an extent that 1t did not
make as good a showing as had been ex-
pected.
AS a field general Ward has no s%uperiors.
He Is quick to see and take advantage of
any opportunity. His keen perception
helps him to win many games. His good
batting, superb base running and clever
fielding make him an invaluable member
of a team aside from his executive ability.
Ward has devoted much time to study.
lie is n graduate OF the law school of Co
lumbia college, having won the second
diploma in the school OF political science.
His book on baseball and his newspaper
articles show the fertility Of his mind and
the facility Of his pen.
He was married to Miss Helen nauvray
in 1887