The record-union., 1897-09-28

BALTIMORE. Sept. 27.-Outside OF
little contingent Of faithful Boston
..rootars" who are making merry at
the Futaw House, there is no joY IN
baltimore tonight. Boston has taken
the r1Ibber in the crucial series, is ahead
in the fight for the pennant, and there
seems to be but little probability that
the Champions can save it. Hoffer, the
Wizard: Mons, the "Southpaw," and
Brother joe Corbett. all went down
like ripe grain in a hurricane before the
terrific onslaught of Boston batters,
until what seemed at first TO be q victory
for the home team was finally turned
into a rout, the like of which has been
seldom witnessed on a ball field
More than 25.00O people saw it done,
and that they witnessed a downfall OF
their favorites with perfect good humor'
Gathering about the victors and cheer
ing them heartily at the finish, gives
the lie direct to two stories that have
been current regarding the Baltimore
baseball public. viz: That it does not
patronize the game, and that rowdyism
is the rule upon its grounds. There have
been few, if any, crowds as large III the
history Of the game.
me SIOEA u W Hat ncabANAA~NA - NNN@
may be briefly told. First came the
awful struggle at the gates for tickets
then the straining, pushing and hghtlng
1or admission, then the scramble Tor
place from which the diamond was
visible. until every seat had an occu-
pant. every inch of standing room was
taken. and men and boys clung spider
like to fences, fagstaffs, telegraph poles
or any other poin> of vantage
The Boston rooters with their brass
band formed so small part OF the
great throng that they sunk into com
narrative insiRnifcance. but the band
plaved on. and the rooters rooted ana
shouted just the same Finally the
teams came on for practice, and then in
due time play began, and the multitude
settled itself down to watch the battle.
First Boston made run. then Bal
tirnore made two, then each made three
and the score was tied, when Boston ad-
ded another to its string. Thus far all
was weU. Baltimore. it is true, had
lost the lead, but not hOpelessly-
Then the visitors forged TO the front
with three more tauies. This was bad,
indeed. but hope still lived in Balti-
more.
And so it ran until the dreadful
seventh inning. Corbett has been Grip
Med bv q. hot liner early in the play;
Mons had been batted out of the box a
uttle later. and Hoffer had been hit for
four runs. but still the crowd had hoped
ON No one looked for a deluge, as
Hoffer had apparently steadied himseh
and no runs had been made off him IN
.,.-~. -,,coossix-a innings
All at once it came Single followed
double. double followed single, player
after plaver crossed the plate, and the
crowd grew tired and wondered if it
vco1lld never end The official scorers
almost lost their count Hoffer became
discouraged and wanted to go off and sit
down. but Captain Robinson kept him
in the box. Finally the fusillade of hits
was ended. Hoffer came down from the
air. everybody took a long breath and
the scorer figured out that Boston had
made nine runs, all of which were
earned.
That settled it, and although the
champions made a final rally in their
half and batted out three runs, follow
ing it up with two more in the eighth,
their efforts were not more consequent
than are those of men who strive TO
whistle up the wind
During the volley Of base hits in the
seventh the crowd was a study. As the
first two or three hits were made the
vast throng looked serious, then as hits
began to pour out like water from a
trough. a smile and then hearty laugh
broke forth and none could have en-
ioyed the discontinue Of the champions
more than did their admirers in the vast
audience OF the many hearty and spon-
taneous bursts of applause. none were
more ringing than that which greeted
Hamilton when, in the fourth inning,
after being trampled upon and severely
stunned by Jennings at second, he made
a grand run for home on Loves single,
CoHided with Baltimore's aeshv back
stop. and falling heavily, pluckily
crawled toward the base. almost faint
ing as he touched it. Again, at the end
of the game, 10000 people gathered
about the visitors. shook them by the
hand. shouted cheerful pleasantries at
them. told them what good fellows and
fine players they were. and finally sent
them away with a shout of appreciation,