The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-16
Tricks of the Baseball Trade
by Popular Managers.
Schemes TO Keep the Players in Trim
and Penalties Imposed.
How the Story of Corbett's Lead
Jacket Leaked Out.

Rave you ever heard any OF Tim Muir
names baseb anecdotes II you haven't
you have missed treat. Tim has followed
baseball ever since its professional origin,
and what he doesn't know about the
game isn't worth notice. Here is one OF
his yarns that, since Harry Wright has re-
tired as an active baseball manager, he
thinks is no breach of confidence to
divulge: at is well known fact that
one of the most difficult things that a
manager has to keep track OF is the time
the players pass IN bed while
on the road. The league managers have
different ways of sizing up the con-
ditions Of their men. Captain Anson,
for instance, never sits up to see IL his
men are in at the hour named for retiring;
instead he looks them over in the morn
ing, and claims to be able to tell just how
much sleep they have enjoyed. Now Harry
Wright insisted on knowing at just what
hour his men retired, and kept close ac-
count Of their movements when off the
field and on the road. The late Jimmy
Fogarty and George Wood were two OF the
Philadelphia players that Mr.. Wright
kept close tab on. When he though they
were due for q late return he often took
the key of their room with him, thus
forcing them to make a friendly call at
his room when they got ready to retire
for the night"
"Once Henry made up his mind to see
the exact condition of his boys and turned
int hoi hod ruff lafA w han
they came home that night, and they
stole quietly up stairs and entered their
room. There was some trouble in finding
. match. and the whisperings of the boys
In the meantime was mostly at the ex-
pens6 of Uncle Harry. Finally the light
was turned on, and Mr.. Wright was dis
covered sitting up in bed. There was very
little said by any of the parties, but Harry
was satisfied that the men had broken the
rules, and fined them $50 apiece.
The old Philadelphia manager had a very
unique way Of knowing tho exact moment
ono OF his players went into his room.
He would fasten strong thread to the
door of the room, run it along the floor
and into his own apartment, then fasten
on q newspaper, which he placed on his
bed. When the player arSved, and
quietly pushed his door open, the paper
was full of business, and he knew the
cause of the trouble. He would then walk
to the fellows room, knock on the door
end call the player by name. No answer.
A few more gentle taps, and q request
to open the door. The men were
sound asleep % and generally bewildered
BY the midnight intrusion, but after
little permission, the door was opened.
Harry would ask few questions in his
quiet way and retire for the night, evil
IDENTIFY convinced that all was well. Next
morning the players would receive letters
containing the report of the exact min
ute OF opening their door the night be-
fore, and the information that $50 would
be deducted from their pay the next
salary day as a reward for attempting to
deceive their manager" This is one of
many. II you ever have an opportunity,
get Tim started on this line, and you will
be amused as long as you have time to
spare.
Almost q century and quarter ago the
embattled farmers stood at Concord and
"fred the shot heard round the world.n
On the same day of April, the 18th, ten or
twelve battle-scarred - perhaps bottle
scared would be q more appropriate
term-warriors will, at the sound OF the
gong, jump into the ring. They also are
out for blood, ready to do or die. In less
poetic terms Friday will be great day
for pugilists in and around Boston. The
~ g. h s.t, Lo~
interest is the O'Brien- Dobbs contest.
As have stated in previous letters, this
event will take place under the auspices
OF the Farragut Club at Banta Hall.
Both men have been in strict training for
some time, and are said TO be in the pink
OF condition. This fight, imagine,
viii prove to be one of the best OF the
year. 1t will be for blood from the word
60. There has been feud existing be.
tween these two fellows which will be de-
cided one way or the other. At tho
Suffolk Club "Kid" Mccoy and Jack
Wilkes, OF st. Louis, are TO battle 10
rounds. Ii was the intention OF the man
agement to have Tom Tracy meet Mccoy,
but he was taken sick at the last moment,
and Wilkes, who once fought draw with
Tommy Ryan. has been substituted. At
both places there will be the usual pre-.
liminaries, to say nothing OF events of
much less Importance which Will be de-
cided in other portions OF the city. Take
it ali in all, 1t will DO a great day for the
followers OF the fistic art.
Ipromised to tell you how got hold OF
that Corbett- Brady -sheet-lead story,