The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-01
HOW 'BIDDY' STARTED
President Rockwell and McPhee
as a Battery.
WON THEIR SPURS At A FAIR.
"Rox" Broke "Biddy's" Nose With .
Foul Tip and Put an End to
His Catching.

w. E. Rockwell. president of the Pa
cific Northwest League, is and old ball
player, and during his career on the
diamond he was associated with many of
the stars of today who were then strug-
Cling to win their spurs. The genial mag
nate has an OVERLOOKING fund of anecdote.
and nothing pleases him better than a
sociable chat about anything connected
with the national game. One of his most
satisfactory stories, alike to himself and
his auditors, is how he helped to bring
out "Biddy" McPhee. the kingpin second
basemen of the Cincinnatis In its nara
ton he furnishes, too, an explanation of
the queer nickname, which has chung to
the great player throughout his profess
sional career. When young boy John
McPhee lived in Aiedo, little town in
Western Illinois. His uncle was the pro-
prietor of a hotel and the lad was in the
habit of spending good part of his time
In dabbling into things about the kitchen.
In consequence he was dubbed ''Biddy"
by the people about the place and the
name has followed him to this day.
Young McPhee and his widowed mother
afterward moved to Keithsburg, town
in the same county, where Rockwell
lived. Although Keithsburg hadn't much
of population, it was lively little river
town, and baseball was booming there.
"Rox" was several years the senior of
"Biddy" and had already begun to make
reputation as a pitcher. But "Biddy"
was born ball player, and in 1876, when
but STRIPPING of 16, he branched out as
the receiving end of the star battery of
Rockwell and McPhee. The pitcher COM
manded terrific speed. so much so that
the young catcher, with his light weight
and unprotected by even q mask, was I'M
equal to the task Of handling him proper
ly up under the bat. So Rox" used his
head, and, paying no attention to strike
outs. tried to make the batsmen who faced
him hit the ball. but at the end of the bat
or on the handle, SO that they fouled it.
"Biddy," when playing back, was terror
on foul flies, and many a batter was dis
posed of in this way.
The same year there was baseball tour
nament at tri-county fair held at Aledo,
and Keithsburg, with Rockwell and Nc
Phee for battery, carried off the honors.
There were probably 10000 people who
witnessed the decisive game, and at its
close little "Biddy" was tossed up aloft by
the arms of his delighted admirers and
marched up and down the field IN tri-
umph. The trophies were crossword bat,
ornamented with a silver plate and bands
appropriately engraved, and a fancy belt.
Rockwell's share was the bat, which he
still exhibits with pride, while McPhee.
who took the belt. probably has it now in
his possession.
The spring of 1877 saw an end of "Bid-
dy's" career as catcher. While up under
the bat. facing Rockweli's swift pitching
without mask, foul tip struck him on
the nose and broke the bone. All that
night "Rox" sat up with his friend, put
ting ice on The injured member to keep
down the Inflammation. But "Biddy"
was game and was out the next day ready
to play. He was moved out into right
field. and, with his eyes half closed from
the swelling. he showed his wonderful
natural ability as ball player. Under
this great handicap he practically won the
game for his team by his brilliant fielding
and good stick work. After that he shifted
to second base, which has been his posi-
ton ever since.
In the fall of 1877 the two young fell
lows went to Davenport together to play
bali and remained there during 1878.
Leach Maskrey, who managed the Ia
comas of 1891, was on the same team. In
1879 "Rox" went to Chicago to go to work
for the Times, but ''Biddy" stayed another
season at Davenport. Then he went West
and spent a year clerking in dry goods
house i'll Denver.
1t was In 1881 that Akron, O., was repre-
scented by one Of the best independent
teams ever put on ball field. The man.
agement was placed in the hands of
Charlie Morton, we'll known in baseball all
over the country. He was aided in the
work of gathering talent by his cousin,
Leach Maskrey. Among the players men,
toned for place on the team was Nc
Phee. A letter was written to Rocket at
Chicago, asking his opinion of the young
second baseman and he gave in return the
best recommendation he could put on
paper. Maskrey also thought we'll of him,
so "Biddy" was sent for and left off meas
uring calico al Denver to enter upon his
brilliant career in the baseball profession
However, 1t was not on the diamond
alone that the members of the Akron
team earned their money. Each was
given a position with some business estab-
lishment according to his abilities, and
W
to be played. McPhee, who is an expert
penman, was installed as bookkeeper for
lumber company. His work on the ball
field at the start was anything but a sue
cess. In fact, he was rated as dead fail
ure and his release was decided upon. But
Leach Maskrey, with the true spirit of
companonship and mindful of the boys
fine work at Davenport. urged that he be
kept, telling the management that there
would be no cause to regret the step. 1t
did not take long to prove the wisdom of
his words. "Biddy" was given another
chance and in short time "owned the
town" by his splendid play.
At the end of the season il was won
derful collection of young blood talent
that the Akron club turned loose on the
proiession-RudolphK emmler, Tony Null
lane, 'Biddy" McPhee, Charlie Morton.
Sam Wise, Ed Swartwood and Leach
Maskrey - all at one swoop,
The American Association was then in
the process of formation and Cincinnati.
which held membership in the new organ.
ization, was on the lookout for pennant-
winning material. Among that selected
was MePhee and Wise, while Louisy lie
secured Mullane and Maskrey. Sam Wise
jumped his contract and went to the
Boston League team for bigger money,
but Biddy" stuck to his agree
ment and went TO ''Porkopolis" to help
win the first championship of the associa-
ton. He has been there ever since. eleven
season in all, having faithfully followed
the clubs fortunes through the disorgan.
izing methods Of the Union Association,