The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-01

Kansas City, Of the Western League. IN
III August. when the Det-oit National
Jea-re club purchased his release for
one thousand dollars
Jako remained with Detroit until juno
1870 whcn nc was sold 10 st. Louis along
with sevJral ether players. In 1891, he
was with the Troy. New York; club. OF
the Eastern League. In 1892. he played
with Buffalo. New York. OF the Eastern
League. In 1888, he managed the Biz
mingham- Pensacola club. of the South
srn League. In 1894, he managed the Mo-
bile Club of the Southern League. until
that organization disbanded In July when
be came TO Richmond. Jake has al
WHY'S been a catcher until last season.
when he alternated behind the bat and
on first base for Mobile. This is his first
season Of playing regularly at first.
Hjs CAREER IN THIS CI1Y.
II JAKE Wells never stepped on the dia-
mond he would lac worth double his
salary to the Richmond Club. 1t is when
the Hustlers are not actually playing
ball that Jake gets in his real work.
lie is a born handler of men. He sets
them an example. treats every man as
If he were a gentleman. and expects
similar treatment I'm return. lie knows
lust what man can do and he only
asks OF his players their best ana no
more and he gets II. Yes. the boys
idolize their captain. and would do any
thing for him. and here lies the key
note of Richmond's success. II man
makes a misplay Wells never abuses him,
but. on the contrary, he has something
encouraging TO say. our Captain is the
finest first baseman in the league. hav-
ing the longest reach of any man ever
seen here on the initial bag.
He Is bea1V plaVpr. ALWAYS cool and
collected. and never has he been seen
to do an undignined act on tho bah field.
If the umpire roasts him. he grins, and
bears il. and il only makes Kim play
the harder Wells is redhot favorite,
rot only here but all over the State lie
plays his position in a manner that is
CALLING to the Tate men. for Pop IS not
in II with Jake. Then. again, the Cap
tain is fair hitter. although recently
he has not been doing much in this line.
The people of Richmond should remem-
Der that IL was Wells who got together
the present team. and that he has made
them what they are. Yes, Jake is
great general, and a gentleman, and IL
the League continues next year we want
TO see him in charge. Long life to you,
old boy. and many more years OF sue
cess on the diamond.
JOHN p HoUsrMAS
John L. Houscman. the Husters' crack
second baseman. was born I'm Grand
Rapids. Mich. January 20, 1870. and is
therefore little over twenty-five years
OF age. In 1891 he made his debut with
the Marquette club, of the Peninsula
League, OF Michigan In 1899 he played
with the Evansville club. of Indiana, then
i'm the Interstate League With both of
these clubs Houseman made fine repu-
tation.
I'm 1898 no ala not play. being engaged
IN business. but in the following year he
appeared on the diamond, playing with
'he Jamestown club. nj New York. with
this club he kept up his high standard.
and led the second baseman of the New
York State League In batting. House
man has played besides second base. left
field and short stop.
HIS CAREER HERE.
Houseman was secured by Wells 10
take Halls place at second base. and
no greater proof is desired OF his ability
10 play ball than to cite the fact tina,
he stands to-day one OF the leading sec
ond basemen In the Virginia state
League. IL Is true. only too true. that
at times his work is careless. but some
Of the most brilliant playing seen here
this season has been done by House
man. In double plays. he Is slow. but
he is a hcady player. and is death on ny
balls. At the bat he has a good eye and
is more than fair hitter; in fact, he
bats scientifically. and is the best man
az sacrificing on the team. Houseman
understands the game-therc is no de-