The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-05-03
GEORGE A. MAHoNEY.

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ebrated wherever baseball has been played
Cincinnati with extraordinary attraction
drawing less than 1000 people to Its
ground on that day, with ideal weather
Even Philadelphia. where Harry spent ten
years of his life building up Its great
team, did nothing In honor of his memory
commensurate with his life work.
presume this is only one moro proof of
the lasting quality of Rip Van Wrinkles
philosophy, How soon we are forgotten
when we're goner" 1t applies moro en-
phatically to baseball than to any other
profession. Tho names of Kelly, Fergu-
son, Williamson, Flint Whitney, Pike
and O'Brien, which only few years ago
were on the lips Of multitudes of enthusi-
asts, are now scarcely ever spoken. It is
only when heroes die that their memories
remain green.
A few of these Harry Wright day games
also proved the rapid passing of the base
ball stars. At Cincinnati and Rockford
old timers wero on exhibition. In the first
city Charley Gould, who a quarter of a
century ago was king of first base men, es-
sayed to play in his old position. Alas,
that once worshiped wonder made such
sorry exhibition Of himself that the unro-
mantio spectators called for moro modern
player Then VIII White, who was once
O diamond hero In Cincinnati, was COM
PEELED to get out Of the exhibition after q
few farcical attempts to revive his former
skill.
In Rockford they went back still far
Their for "reminiscences and dug up tho
baseball mummies of the early seventies.
Chief among them was Chioago's million
aire merchant, A. G. Spalding, who more
than go years ago earned, as q pitcher for
the old Forest City CLUB Of that place, the
money which formed the basis of his pres
ent immense fortune. George Wright of
Boston and other old timers took part In
the game. 1t was played under the simple
rules which prevailed in those early DAYS.
Even that primitive style would have been
burlesqued without intention had not a
meroiful rainstorm interposed and out the
absurdity short.
These attempts at identification reveal
to us startling faot--the short reign and
thorough as we'll as permanent decadence
OF tho baseball star. 1t is not SO in other
professions. A good actor usually grows
better as he grows older, and an absence of
years from the stage will not wean the
public from It's fealty. I remember seeing
the veteran Murdoch In the cast of julius
Cesar, with Booth, Barrett and MoCul-
Tough at the dramatic festival In Cinoin-
natl some 10 years ago. He had been of
the stage for many seasons, yet the once
popular favorite shared equally In the pub
lilo applause with the then reiRninR stars
OF the tragic stage. II we should inaugu-
rate baseball festival and try to re-estab-
lish the Dennys Fishers, Hotalings, Nell
sons, Snydere, Chapmans, Burdooks and
harnesses In their former popularity, I won
der what would be the result2
The early games among the college mines
Indicate generally weakening from the
strong teams Of former years. Carter's loss
Is particularly felt, and such men as King,
Stephenson, Otto and Shoenhut have not
been replaced on their mines. The new rule
at the U. of P. makes "Penrsy's" team rel.
atively weaker than any Of the collegiate
aggregation. Princeton has q coming
pitcher In Easton who promises to DO a
second Carter. But II Mahoney of the
Georgetowns keeps up his last years pace
he should easily lead all college pitchers
Tor 1896. Mahoney's work last season was
all but phenomenal. Without Carter Yale
Will not have such walk over for the col
Iegiate championship this year. Yet a
brother of Greenway Carter's catcher, q
member OF Yale's freshman class, Is doing
some strong pitching for old Ellis sons.
Carter told me after the to New York
game that he considers the present Yale
nine in fielding and batting the best the
college has had for years.
The opening games of the National
league championship season this year ex-
emplify tho glorious uncertainty of the
sport which Is go often spoken Of The
greatest surprise of all was the defeat of
the Cleveland team by tho st. Louis
Browns. II any one OF the 1e League teams
was supposed to have what sporting men
call "cinch" on the opening day, 1t was
the Clevelands. And, lol with the great Cy
Young pitching against them the gener-
ally rated tail enders went In, played the
best game OF the day and defeated Te-
beau's pennant chalmers.
In Baltimore. upon their own grounds,