The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-18
PITCHER JOHN J. M'MAuoN.

producc. That run gave Boston the PEN
nant for one year more. The two players
who were directly responsible for the great
victory were Left Fielder Joe Hornung and
Second Baseman John Burdock. Hornung
led Off with three base hit, and Burdock
sent him home with q hit TO right field.
The scene that ensued cannot be described.
There was a cushion storm, and with the
rrcatest difficulty the Boston players
escaped the crazy kindness OF the crowd
and reached their dressing rooms. The
names OF Hornung and Burdock were In
every fourth Boston mans mouth that
night. They were heroes OF the day and
hour.
"A Several months ago was walking along
one of the up town streets I'm New York
when some one hailed me from passing
wagon. 1t was Joe Hornung. He was just
then employed driving delivery wagon
for grocer Of that neighborhood and
stopped me TO make request that rec
ommend him as a suitable person to UNI
pire In the Western league.
II Over I'm Brooklyn John Burdock has
very hard time to support his family. The
last timo I saw him he told me pitiful
tale of Distress and the once king OF second
baseman confirmed the truth of the tale by
dock from his pedestal, but age, new fa-
vorites and forgetfulness have alono rob-
bed Hornung of his former laurels. This
As living instance Of the meteorio popu-
lnrity Of baseball stars. They are wildly
worshiped while they reign and quickly
| forgotten after tseir SUCCESSORS appear.
| The story of Hornung and Burdock should
bo thoughtfully borne in mind by the
Duffys, Rusies Corcorans, Delebantys,
| NcGrnws, Beckleys, Tebeaus, Dwyers,
Langes and Breitenstcins OF today. They
/ have their hour, and the coming stars who
will reign favorites as their successors are
already donning uniforms in amateur and
minor league teams.
OF those two teams which battled so
| 1ercely for the pennant on that eutumn
. day in 1882 not one member is now play
ing ball In the National league and nearly
Ill are out OF the profession entirely. Rad
bourne, of whose delivery the winning
run was scored lost an eye several years
ago by an accident while hunting. shall
never forget the way he took his defeat
that evening He was the craziest sane
Imam / ever met. The veteran, Harry
Wright. who managed the Providence club,
tried to jolly him into a state of indiffer-
ence, but Rad would not be comforted. 1
have no doubt he did not bemoan the loss
Of his eye later on moro than he grieved
over the loss of that game.
Talking Of stars reminds mo that some
ti1ne ago was asked to name n picked
nine of players that would consider the
hest or strongest combination which could
|be rot together. That has always been
fayorite pastime with some baseball writ
|ers, but I've seldom made an attempt mt
Ne, because realize that many picked
mines, while individually strong would be
collectively weak. Team work as well as
Individual excellence Is necessary for good
results In baseball playing.
However, II were put TO tho duty OF
nelecting the star nine, would arrange
them about this way: Pitcher, Rusie;
hatcher, Grimm; first baseman, Beckley;
necond baseman, McPhee; short stop, No
Kean; third baseman, Nash; left fielder
Delehanty; center fielder, Duffy; right
0eldcr, Keeler.
But this arrangement Is not unimpeach-
hblo have made my selections from n
standpoint of general excellence In each
Instance. For instance, put Grimm in
bhe catoher's place because he is so much
better as a batsman than Robinson or
immer. Rusio has no superior and no
beer In my mind in any way he may be
considered for the place. Tucker Is n bet
tcr first basernan than Beckley, but the
after is bis superior at the bat. McPhee
has no rival as a fielder, batsman and base
Funner, though there are such excellent
players in position as Reitz Bierbauer,
Childs and Pfeffer. Corcoran Is n better
hoftstop than Mexican, but much inferior
Nth tho bat. Davis and McGraw are
nuch Nashs superiors with the bat, but
he Boston captain never had rival I'm
his fielding work at that corner Of the dia-
nond. Still hesitated some in my choice
pctween him and McGraw.
In the outfleld Delehanty, TO my mind,
os no equal as a general player not even
Duffy Of Boston. Yet Duffy Is won
er, especially as a run getter and trick
fer. When / placed him as the star Of
enter field, / had 20 make a choice over
mother player whom many good Judges
Ill declare TO be Dnffy's equal n not SUI
erior-namely, that wonderful, big rising
tar, Langc of Chicago. In right field the
fague teams show their grCatest weak.
oee, taking them all N class Boston,
lew York, Brooklyn, Cleveland. Clncin.
al and Louisville have each been unset
I'D and dissatisfied in their man for tha,
oeition. While Keelcr does not class az =.
rat right fsidor, no easily tops ever,
bnpctifor in the other IL mines This
~ OF picking nine of the best players
their respective conditions Is not as
~ a. n looks 10 the man who has time
burn
S"hn Mcmahon the great baltimore