The morning times., 1896-12-14

advent in Washington was not popular
The trade that made him Senator was
not well received. He came here iii ex-
change for Crooks and Rogers, both OF
whom were particular favorites with the
patrons OF National fark.
1t was imperative with Mr.. Wagner to
secure second basenan at that time
Crooks was physically incapable of cover
ing the keystone of the infield, and il was
known TO those on the inside that he had
gone back so far in his condition that 1T
would never be possible for him TO come
again. The general public did not know
this then. His short career to Louisville
and his sale to a minor league club recently
proves that Mr.. Wagner acted wisely in
trading him.
Another matter in connection that the
public has not beeninformed on before was
that the deal betw cen the clubs hung fire
q long time, because Louisville would
accept no offer for o'Brien that did not
include Jimmy Rogers. The Colon els
were in ne ed of a first baseman and Rogers
was the apple of their eye
Mr.. Wagner did not want to part with
Jimmy, and in place or him lie offered
Crooks and one OF his outfielders, ana
sum Of money for O. Brien. The Ken
tuckians elected the outfielder and tocvcry
proposition said they must have Rogers.
So it was case Of Rogers or no second
baseman, and Jimmy went to BourbonvilIe
along with Crooks and $1,000 for o. Brien.
As stated, Brien's reception was rot
warm or cordial. He played his fist
game as a Senator at National Park on
the afternoon OF July 5, and the bleachers
took pains to tell him that he was rotten
as pared to Crooks.
O'BRIEN WAS "A CHAMPION.
That he is good second baseman 10
one can gainsay. Fromthe time he was with
George Stallings' champion Augusta team
of the Southern Leagues in 1893, until
he came TO Washington, his has been a
consistent record, both at bat and in the
| field Were 0'Brien better actor, tie
| would make a betteriimpresson as ball
player. He had the misfortune, in q
| sense, to succeed Crooks, who is the best
actor on the diamond.
o. Brien's only weakness, and every
player has a weak spot, is his failure TO
cover enough ground on right field hitters
| He leaves gap open between second and
| first, through which utsInSa ball escaped TO
| the frontier last season. With this defect
cured nothing more could be asked of him
as n guardian of the center sack and the
| territory surrounding. He is exceedingly
| fast in a double play and has no superior
| iii blocking and tag ging runner from first
| to second on a throw by the catcher.
1t is felt sure that If o'Brien is given
| more cordial treatment by the fans that mis-
| pla ying Will fulfill all desires.
AT the commencement OF the season
| Charley Reilly will be played at third base
! pending the completion of Harvey Smiths
| course in college. And should the Prince
| ton fashion plate" display his old time
ability with the stick he may be CONT Iued
| in the position.
Reilly was the record third basem an in the
| Eastern League last season and ba1tci in
| ties coacher will be Of great assistance
| to the Senators, and his addition 10 the
| club was polite move on the part of
| Mr.. Wagner.
MA Y COACH GEORGETOWN.
Capt. Tom Brown, having disposed OF
| mis- business in Louisville, has moved TO
| Washington with his family and will make
| the city his home. He is open for an offer
| to coach one OF the crack college clubs of
the East prior TO the opening of the league
| season, and is thought that Georgetown
| will bid for his services. He would be an
| excellent selection for the Blue and Gray
| as no player in the profession has greater
| experience or riper judgment as to the
| game.
Capt. Brown says the Senators will re-
| port the latter part of March for prelim
| mary practice. This work will be gone
| arough WIN at National Park as W ashIne-
| ton is far enough South to strike good
| weather at that time of year. Mr.. Wagner
| may decide to improyise hand bail court
| and gymnasium at the park for use of the
| players In their warming up exercises.
| Though 1T is long time to look ahead
and baseball as uncertain in it's outcome as
an April day, yet the opinion is ventured
! that The Senators will climb higher next
| season than ever before.
As was the case last year it all de-
pcnds on the pitchers. With Maui, Mercer
and McJames in good shape and King,
| Norton and German in reserve, the Sen
ators VIII be hard proposition for the
other eleven and, barring accident, they
VIII roost very high in the second divis-
| Ion, If indeed they should not boost some
one of the big siX'' out of position in the
| first nafr.