The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-09-28
WRIGHT is LOW
BASEBALL VETERAN Is PASSING
AWAY AT ATLANTIC CITY.

Among the Lovers of the National Game
Early Work in Baseball and the Clubs
He Managed In an Early Day-Story of
His Life.
philadelphia, Pa, Sept 27-Harry
Wright, one of the best known and by
all odds the most popular man connect
ed with the great American game or
baseball Is thought to be dying at At
lantic City from catarrhal pneumonia
Mr. Wright has enjoyed good health
since his miraculous recovery Of eye
sight, after being stricken blind some
years ago. until few weeks ago, when
he went to bed with a severe attack OF
bronchitis On Tuesday of last week
he was taken TO Atlantic City. re-
lapse setting in, he was moved from his
apartments in a cottage TO the SANTA
rum, where two trained nurses were
engaged to care for him. A dispatch
from Atlantic yesterday reads:
The condition of Harry Wright, the
veteran baseball manager, is not inn
proved today. Professor William Pep
per of Philadelphia arrived here this
held a consultation with the several
physicians who are in attendance upon
Mr.. Wright. The patient is in an ex-
hausted condition, and even his relation
are denied admission TO his room at the
sanitarium. DR.. Francis W. Bennett,
Mr. Wright's attending physician in
Atlantic City, said this afternoon:
'Harry's condition is still critical. Prof
esspr William Pepper and DIR. John A
Boyer his Philadelphia physicians, met
this morning in consultation. We find
Mr. Wright to be suffering from mild
catarrhal pneumonia, and rupture OF
the pleura (pneumonthroX), which is
rare and exceedingly grave affection in
une of his age. While we do not des-
pair of his life, it is in great danger at
present"
CAREER OF VETERAN.
Harry Wright has done more than
nny other man to bring baseball to its
present high standing. Always tho
roughly honest and conscientious in his
dealings with managers and players,
he established a previously unknown
standard of upriehtness among bali
players. Harry Wright began his ath-
iectic career as a cricketer. He was
born in Sheffield, Eng, Jan. 10. 1885,
but his parents brought him in 1896 to
New York City, where he attended
At that age he went to learn the jewelry
manufacturing business with a firm in
that city. He played cricket whenever
sn opportunity offered with the ST.
George Cricket club, his father having
been for many years the professional
thereof. In 1857 Mr.. Wright was first
engaged as z professional bowler of
that cricket club, assisting his father.
It was in 1857 also that he commenced
- vn1o 10, lAr 60
knickerbocker club of New York City,
which also had its grounds at Eoboken
n. j., adjoining the cricket club.
In 1858 Harry Wright represented the
Knickerbocker club in the first great
game between picked mines Of New
York and Brooklyn, playing center field
for the former. He was with the Knick
erbockers until the end Of the season
of 1863. In 1864 and 1865 he was men,
her Of the Gotham club. playing third
base In its games. In 1866 he went to
Cincinnati under engagement of the
Union Cricket club of that city, acting
rs its professional.
ORGANIZING THE REDS.
In July, 1866, he helped to organize
the afterwards famous Cincinnati base
ball club, and was unanimously elected
captain, a position he retained as long
as the Red Stockings were in existence
Early in 1867 the Cincinnati's in conjunc
ton with cricket club, opened new
grounds. They were at time the larg-
EST, best located. most complete in every
respect and had by far the finest base
hall and cricket grounds in the west
Harry Wright's last engagement as
professional cricketer was in 1861. The
Cincinnati club played on the Union
grounds, as they were called. for four
aeasons. Harry Wright being engaged
professionally IN 1858. 1869 and 1870.
The Cincinnati Reds through Wrights
able management, gained an enviable
md widespread reputation. Harry
Wright pitched for the club during
the season of 1866 and 1867. but the next
three seasons he played as center fielder
occasionally alternating with Asa
Brainard in the pitchers position. In
1867 the club played seventeen games. !
The only defeat sustained being that
rom the then famous Nationals. of
Washington, on their western trip The 1
Cincinnatis in 1868 played forty-three
games with eastern and western clubs. |
~innlng thirty-siX and losing seven.
The season of 1869 however was Gin
sinnats banner year, and this celebrat- !
I'd team was one of the first regularly !
trained professional teams ever nut |
upon the diamond. During that sea-
son the club Travelled all over the Unit |
Z.
10000 miles, and met all the leading |
clubs without losing game. this being /
phenomenal performance It was the |
hrst eastern club to visit California. In |
1870 the Cincinnati team also had a |
successful season. although they lost /
six games. being defeated twice each
by the Atlantics of Brooklyn and the /
chicago team and once by the Athletics |
of Philadelphia and the Forest City |
club Of Rockford
MADE SEVEN HOME RUNS.
In game played June 20. 1867. at !
Newport, Ky. Harry Wright made |
seven home runs for the Cincinnati cluh /
this being the largest number of home !
runs ever scored by any individual /
player
The Cincinnati club having disbanded /
Harry Wright. in 1871. was engaged TO |
Play center field for and captain the
then newly organized Boston club team,
Although the Boston team did not be-
rome champions that year. Harry gath /
Pred a pretty strong nine together.
which duringt he following four seasons
were the champions Of the first regu-
lar professional association of this conn /
try.
He was one of the Boston Athletic 4
combination that visited England in
1913. and large share Of the credit for |
the victories then scored at cricket was
due To his bowling, batting and captain |
Ing. Harry played regularly in center 1
ned until the close of the season OF |
IS7:
After the National league was organic
90 Harry Boston team won the cham |
pionShip of that organization during 1
the seasons Of 1877 and 1875. He re- |
manned with the Boston club until the
md Of the season CT 1881.
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