The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-27
THE FIVE GREAT PLAYS.
Written Up by an Authority on Base
Ball

Bali.
Donahoe's Magazine for March, con-
tains an interesting article by T. H. Muir
name, on what he considers the five great
est ball plays on the diamond. The
author has had an acquaintance of twenty
years standing with the game. first as
player and later as a writer on the sport.
In describing 4 brilliant running catch,
the author SAYS:
Can you imagine a man flying? If not,
it will be difficult matter for me to de-
scribe the play made by Herman Long, of
the Boston club, at Philadelphia, in the
summer of 1892. The championship season
was about two-thIrdS over, and the
Quakers were gradually crawling up on
the Boston leaders. Harry WTight's
boys had taken two games from the
champions before tremendous crowds of
people, and the third and last game Of the
series found the bOstons determined to
make the fight of their lives.
Herman Long was the hero of the
Boston victory; his batting was terrific
and his fielding grand While both teams
were fighting for the lead, he made
phenomenal play that turned the tables
in favor of Boston. The ball was hit
hard, and went sailing out towards center
field. A volley of cheers followed the
drive, and doubled in volume wnen Long
Ndo SCC1 ~ AndhG hldG gtiG payers Gall q
Dunlap or grand stand catch. In this
instance it was the only way
the play could have been accom-
plished. The ball was taken with
the right hand over the left
shoulder, while in the air, after a sharp
run and flying leap, where his heels went
nearly as high as his head. Mr.. Long is
still member of the chamOion Boston
team, and the most brilliant player on the
field at the present time
Cal McVey, the old Boston and Chicago
league player, the author con iders the
most powerful thrower he has ever seen,
McNey was a member of the Cincinnati
Red Stockings, and was playing right
field in games against the AtlanJics be-
fore a crowd of 10000 people, when by his
wonderful throw, he would have shut off
the winning run for the Atlantics, but for
a nuf by the catcher at the home plate.
In speaking of McVey's lightning throw,
the author has this to say:
The ninth inning resulted in five runs
each; the tenth was a blank; Cincinnati
made two runs in the eleventh, and felt
sure of the game. With two men on
bases, 'old reliable Joe Start hit the ball
in among the spectators at right field,
they having crowded in on the field. The
people were in sympathy with the Brook
Ign men, and McVey had hard time
getting the ball He pushed his way clear
after great struggle, just as Start had
turned third base and was headed for
home, with the crowd cheering him on
With a short step and swing, McVey's
arm shot out like piston rod, the ball
went as straight as a bullet into the
catcher's hands, where it dropped, Just as
Start rolled over the plate with the win
ming run, exhausted and out of breath
John f. Morrill,, of the Boston team,
made wonderful pickup in 1886 and
n H. A. ~
hit hard and shot along the ground very
close to first base. The author, who saw
the game, writes: 1t was do or die with
the Boston player; a step and dive with
his left hand. and the ball was reached
Like fash he changed it TO the right
hand, and sent it straight as an arrow to
the catcher, in time to head of the man
coming home. After the throw Morrill,
fell full length on the grass, and was as
much surprised as any one when he saw
| that the ball had beaten the runner, and
his team saved from defeat.
In speaking of Comiskey's playing in
Boston and Cincinnati game the author
goes on to say: The ball was hit well to
the right of Comiskey, who was playing
first base. He took the ball with his
right hand, after jump, and before get
ting his feet on the ground had sent it to
the home plate, in time to catch the feet
footed Boston man.
The ball was handled with two motions.
which necessitated great playing to exc
cute. Paul Hines is said to be theonly man
who ever made a triple play single
handed.
The author after describing the
game in most descriptive manner
refers to the remarkable work of the
Providence man.
Hines was playing rather deep centre
field, and was watching the
batsman closely The ball was hit
hard, and passed about three feet
high over second base. Hines made a
long, desperate run, knowing that it
meant the loss of the game If he failed.
Tt looked like an utter impossibility. to
make the catch. The men On bases bad
arted for home, and the Boston sympa-
thizers sent up wild yell but it was cut
short as Hines reached the ball. getting
it about two inches from the ground,
and held IL, the momentum carrying him
twenty-five yards before he regained con-
troll Of himself Both men had crossed
the home plate, and, seeing there was no
/ use in trying to get back, stood bewil-
dered, as Hines logged over 10 third base,
putting three men out, as the runners
were forced 10 come back and touch the
bases in regular order, after fly ball had
been caught.
The article written by Mr. Murnane
is profusely illustrated, and will. no doubt,
be read by large number Of the lovers Of
base ball