The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-06-25

lror whose release N1anngcr Won der Ahe
wants cool $40 0O0
men In the latter team. There was n time
when the New Yorks were "pcachcs" for
tho south paws" but several of the left
handed Giants learned to turn about and
bat right handed on such occasions and
the handicap was in that way partly over
como.
The left handed pitchers in tho Nation
al league are Brcitenstcin with st. Louis,
Espcr with Baltimore, Killcn with Pitts
burg, McGill with Philadelphia, Inks
with Louisville and Knoll with Cleveland.
New York tried Knauss, but he wouldn't
do. His arm, which failed five years ago
had not recovered, and he has gone back
into retirement.
OF tho six named above Breitenstcin Is
without question tho greatest Since tho
days Of Richmond, Ramsey and Kilroy
no left handler has been more successful
than this young st. Louis German, Carl
Breitcnstein. He Is particularly ST. Louis
product, for he was born In the city on
June l, 1869, and his first games were
played with n local amateur club called the
Homo Comforts. Thence ho Joined tho
Browns reserves. where no worked his
way into professionalism and finally was
given place on the ST. Louis nino His
work during the last three years has placed
him at the head of tho loft handed pitch
ers of tho present output. He has great
speed, splendid control and good curve,
which, however, he does not use ms often
rs most pitchers because he says he desires
to play ball for years to come, and pitch
Ing too many curves Is sure to ruin the
arm. BTeitenstein Is fair bntsmnn and O
good fielder He has on several occasions
this season played tho outflcld for his club
with success
or tho left handed pitchers who have
passed out Of the profession nm inclined
to award the palm to Tom Ramsey, who in
the early eighties did such wonderful work
for tho LouisyilloS. His low incurvc and
drop was tho hardest ball to hit that was
ever sent across the plate. 1t seemed to be
coming hip high straight across the mid
die of the plate, but would suddenly, take
an incurve and o quick dip and whA dam
gerously near the ankle Of the batsinan.
So long as he kept his health his value to
club WAS almost inestimable. But, like
many other stars of the diamond, Ramsey
let love for sttInulants knock him out.
Mat kUroy, who rendered such excellent
servicc for tho Baltimore club about the
time Ramsey was at the height of his
famc, was another successful left handler.
But Ransey's nearest rival was probably
John Richmond, who about 1870 and 1880
made remarkable record with the Provi-
dence team. He was u most intelligent,
well bred young man, and took on early
opportunity TO study medicine, and get
out of profession which at bcst Is preca-
rious and of short duration. Richmond is
now practicing in ono Of tho cities of
northern Ohio
Elmer Smith, who is Pittsburg's left
fielder and hard hitter began his career Oh
the diamond as n left handed pitcher fer
the Clncinnatis in tho early eighties He
was very successful for few years, but
his arm began to weaken, and on account
OF his strong batting no WAS transferred to
the outflcld, whe-e he has made himself q
most useful man to tho profession.
The season of 1895 thus far has been re-
markably full of accidents to prominena
ball players. Among those who have al
ready been put out of the game by mlsfor-
tunes are Rusie. Mcokin, Davis, Doyle,
Ticrnan, Stafford, Long, Robinson, Nc
Graw, Taylor, Lyons, Miller, McPhcc, Hal
liday, Vaughn. Oliver Tebcau, Childs.
l.angc, Ryan, Glasscock and Stein. In an
experience of Ii years as chronclcr of
baseball history have not known "a season
so full OF injuries TO star players.
The New York club mas been the great
est sufferer .: the II. It's big four Rusie,
Mcckin, Davis and Doylc-wcre all dis
ablcd at one time and in such degree that
the team WAS left nearly helpless Davis
injury was III the muscles of his right
shoulder, Doylc's was spraincd ankle.
Meekin's sprain of the large nerve in tho
forearm and Rusic's the tearing off of the
nail to the index finger of his right hand.
No other club in the history of the game
ever suffered such heavy loss by accidents
at one time. In spite of it all, the Giants
made a game fight to hold their own until
the wounded stars could recover from their
injuries.
The Phiilies-thc incomprehcns.ble Phil