The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-03-23
THE BALL PLAYERS.
The Pittsburg Boys Like Their
Practice Grounds.

The Pittsburg baseball team for 1907
arrived In Roanoke Sunday afternoon
and are stopping at Hotel Roanoke. The
boys bud pretty tough trip down from
Iittshnrg and said that their supper at
Hotel Roanoke Sunday evening was the
first square meal they had eaten since
leaving home. Yesterday morning they
went out to the baseball grounds to prac-
tice ana were delighted with the grounds
here. Manager Donovan said these
grounds were as good rs they had in any
OF the league cities, and Jimmie Mason,
the clubs trainer, said the Roanoke
grounds were decidedly the best ir the
South
Fat Donovan, known as Handsome
Pat who is manager of the team, was
purchased from Washington club and has
been with the Pittsburg since 1892, play-
ing right field. This is his first year as
manager He has the reputation of be.
ing the fastest right fielder in the Nation
III League and is very scientific batter
r.. p. Hawley, known as tPink'' or
King" is one of the best pitchers in the
league.
Elmer Smith, who plays left field, is n
Pittsburg boy and has been with the club
several years, having been pun chased
from the Kansas City team Of the West.
ern league He is perhaps the heaviest
hitter i'll the league and always has an
average of over 300
Billy Merritt, who is accompanied on
the trip with his bride, came from the
Boston team and leads the league in
heavy batting.
Chinaman, comes from San francisco.
He is the man who secured II physician 8
affidavit that he had consume tion in or
der to join the Pittsburgs. This is his
second year with the Pittsburgs.
Joe Snyder, catcher, was secured in
1883 from Charleston, S. c., and ut once
jumped into the front ranks us catcher
and is regarded rs one of the steadiest
men in the league.
Harry Davis, first base, sa good all
round man and WAS secured FROM the
New Works anu plays anywhere except
pitcher
Jimmy Donnelly, third base, is the man
who created such II furcre by taking Nc
Graw's place ana doing the work ms good
as McGraw He was secured last fall in
exchange for Jake Stencil, Tom OBrien
and Harry TRULY.
Waiter Brodie, "Duke of Roanoke is
too we'll known to need any comment.
He is good man and the club is proud
OF him. He was suffering from severe
cold Yesterday and could not be out to
practice, but will be all right in day Cor
two.
Richard Pa1den, secoad base, known
as - Weak Rincc nick.'- is also veff
known here. having ut one time been
manager of the Roanoke club This is
his second year and is known for his won
derful fielding.
James Hughey, "Warm-up Jim. halls
from Toledo This Is his second year
with the club, and is known for his ability
to change his pace in pitching from fast
to slow ball
Jesse Tannehill pitched for the Rich
mond club last year, and is Il coming
pitcher.
Tom Leahy, catcher, was secured from
the Springfield club in the Eastern
League.
JAS. Gardner, pitcher-this is his sec
ond appearance in the league; was out i'm
1893 and pitched series of games, among
which was ten inning game with the
Orioles
c. II. Kohns, second base, is substi-
tute|and an amateur.
JAS. Mason, the club trainer, known
as Red Mason, is one of the auainte st
characters in the league
III. N. DUFF, who is also a very enthu-
sIastic crank, is along with the club and
is sporting writer for the Pittsburr
Leader
There are two other members of the
club that are not with the club, Denny
Lyons, second base, who Is in training at
home but is ex ected at any time, and
Frank Killen, pitcher, who will also be
here in IL few days
The club was out yesterday evening
and got In fine days practice. Mana
ger Pat Donavan was seen last light at
Hotel Roanoke aztec he had eaten his
supper and had Il cigar He expressed
himself rs delighted with the grounds
here and all their environments. He said
they had gotten in more good practice
here yesterday than they had in week
at Hot Springs last season and that this
was decidedly the best place they had
ever struck.
Pink Hawley, who has little surplus
flesh, thinks he will run it all off in a few
days ami was looking we'll when seen by
q reporter last night. There will be two
games to- day, one in the morning and
one in the afternoon.
All wool suits s. at the Brotherhood