Evening star., 1896-02-29
Will He Help the Oolonels to a
Higher Notch7.
DISCUSSING TIE LOUISVILLE RUMOR
AL. SeIbach Talks About Work in
the OutfieId.



verified. it is to be hoped that the rumor
is true. Ward would strengthen any club
in the league. Washington particularly
would have given him a great reception, but
If the Colonels have secured him, then,
indeed, Is DR.. Stuckey and his followers to
be congratulated. Sarcastic jokes and slurs
will cease to be flung at the poor Colonels,
and one and all Of the other clubs will
be clinging to the championship ladder for
dear life for fear Of being brushed down
rung or two by Wards Kentucky Won
ders. The little general knows the game
from A to q, and has knack of warm
Ing the players up to him, with the result
that harmony Is maintained throughout the
season, and games are won in cities where
In they have always been considered easy.
The Washington enthusiasts will be glad
to see him with the Colonels.
Charley Irwin, the third-baseman Sc
cured by Cincinnati to take Latham's place,
has Just sent in his signed contract It will
pc recalled that in this city this player was
Knocked out Of the National League into
minor league by Pitcher Sullivan, then
with the Washingtons Irwin reached out,
as he supposed, for an outsnoot, while q
terrific fnshoot struck 1fm SQUARE above
the ear, knocking him insensible For the
rest OF that season Irwin always pulled
away from the plate on swift balls Anson
discovered this fact and Immediately re-
leased him. 1t is now said that this defect
mas been overcome, and that his nerve has
returned. There is no question about Ir-
win s ability as fielder, and # he can bat
up to his '94 form will greatly strengthen
the Cincinnatis.
Business Manager Bancroft of the Gin
cinnati club received letter last week
from Charley Snyder, who is located in
Washington, saying that he will take great
pleasure in being one Of the men to par
tlclpate In the game for monument to
Harry Wright on April 13. Snyder at Cne
time was undoubtedly one of the best
catchers in the base ball business. For
many years he played with Cincinnati, and
has always had the greatest regard for the
deceased manager. In his letter to Ban
croft he writes that he deems it an honor
to be allowed to participate in so worthy
cause, and will come to that city with
the greatest Of pleasure. The base ball
public of Cincinnati will give. him a warm
welcome.
Al. selbach of the Washington club, be-
fore leaving ST. Louis to coach a unlver-
sity team in Ohio, gave quite an Interesting
interview to one Of the reporters Of the
Sporting Times of that city. Among other
things Selbach said that he was of the
opinion that a ball player should not in
dulse in excessive card playing or reading
at night. Abbey" he said, is a natural
hitter, but he did not do himself Justice
with the stick last year. His falling off in
batting was due to too much reading by
artificial light. He is well educat ted fell
low, and nothing delights him as much as
a good author. When he begins a book he
stays with 1t until he finishes It, We are
great friends, and he has promised me to
be more moderate in this respect next year.
Paul Radford Is stuck on playing cards. I
do not mean that he gambles. for he seems
to take as much pleasure in solitaire as
any other game / always attributed his
inability to hit the ball to this trait. There
is as nice a man as ever played ball. I'll
h Hfnd to
ceeded him the regular right fielder of
the Washington club. Instead Of feeling
any resentment toward me, Paul coached
me how to play the position. The sun, you
know, is directly in the right fielders eyes
on the Washington grounds and green
player has a time of 1t. He dropped
cut of the game after inheritins a large
sum from his father"
Base ball followers in this city will re-
cal call the team of 1880 that represented
Deacon Hill played third base on that
team. Hill is now located in Galesburg,
ILL.,, and writes to a friend in this city as
follows:
Frank Bird, who was with US In Wash
ington during the season of 1890 and in st.
Louis in 1892, and while with the latter
club was stricken with paralysis, causing
the loss of speech and use of limbs, has
for three years been thus; but at last there
Is ray of hope, as he can now talk some
and also walk a little. But his money is
gone, and, being unable to help himself
yet, would ask all the boys who see these
lines to contribute whatever they can to
help him keep up the treatment, that he
may be with US once more, or at least get
able to take care Of himself I would espe-
cially. call the attention of our old Wash
ington boys Of that years team-Lew
Whistler. Herman Bader, Jack Riddle. Bill
Phillips and the rest-to do what they can
for our old comrade. Also Connie Mack.
Ted Sullivan and all the players who can
DO anything. Even If only fifty cents or a
dollar. 1T will be thankfully received by
Frank. He is at home in Spencer, Mass.
Think what deserving boy he Is, and
what bright future was before him Just
as he was stricken down."
Pitcher Breitenstein appears to have
caught on to a great friend in Ora Havill
of the Chester club of Illinois, and from
present indications will stick to him. The
idea Of Won Der Abe and Brush bringing
the Illinois League in under the protection
of the national agreement Is laughed at by
President Havill, who says that he has
the assurances Of four clubs that they will
stand by him. and if they don't he will
organize another league. Havill says he
will have the Chicago maj agnates after him
next, rs he intends to sign one of their
star catchers. Kittredge no doubt The
latter player Is holding off for a raise, and
unless he gets it may go to the Chester
club. Money talks in base ball, as in any
other business, and as Havin apparently
has plenty of the long green the two play
erS, Bre1tenSteln and kittredge, may be
said to be on the sunny side Of East street
President Young left for New York last
Saturday with a very heavy heart. A IA
vorite daughter of his. who had recently
been given a handsome bicycle, and was
out riding that afternoon, fell off the ma
chine in some way and broke her leg The
accident occurred in the Soldiers Home
grounds. and owing to the distance from
home the limb became greatly inflamed be-
fore doctor reached the sufferers side
After an examination 1t was decided that
the limb could not be set until the next
day, owing to the Inflammation. At this
writing Miss Young is getting along nicely
No one in the household enjoyed the home
coming of Uncle Nick more than did the
little sufferer, and each piece of the big
silver service presented to her father in
New York had to be brought to the bed
side to be praised and commented on.
Previous to last falls meeting of the big
league President Freedman Of the New
Yorks gave 1t out that he was going to
show up the Little Napoleon" of Brook
lyn in a way that would shame his friends
and please his enemies. When that meet
ing was over Mr.. Freedman was asking
where he was at and Mr.. Byrne was the
victor with big V. Since then Freedman
lay low for his enemy, not saying much,
but doing great deal of quiet work, hop