The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-29
SOCkALEXIS THE FIRST INDIAN IN
PROFESSIONAL BASE
BALL.
WILL PLAY WITH SPIDERS.
CURIOUS FACT REGARDING RACE
PREJUDICE IN BASE
BALL.
NATIONAL
GAME IN DIXIE.
Apparently a Complete Failure This
SeasOn-More Pay for
Umpires.

The most recent contract signed by
the Cleveland Base Ball club introduces
to the National league the first Indian
as a professional player. Sockalexis,
the newest Spider, is full blood
aboriginal who played on the Holy
Cross college nine last season, where
his skill attracted considerable atten-
ton. His work under the tutelage Of
Tebeau will be watched with general
curiosity, and he may be but the en-
tering wedge whereby other young men
Of his race will make the higher pro-
fessional ranks of the ball field.
The American Indian always had a
love for games Of ball, and the most
expert lacrosse players on this contin-
ent are of that race. There is every
reason why Indians should be good
ball players. AS a rule, they are swift
footed, natural athletes, who need lit
tie training to get into the pink of
condition." and are noted for their
acute eyesight. These qualities go far
toward giving a ball player success on
the diamond Base ball to the Indian is
as yet venture, but within the last
year he has demonstrated that in other
games, especially football he has the
power to give his Caucasian brother
run for the money" The success
achieved last season by the Carlisle
football eleven against some of the
strongest team of the East demonstrate
ed the fact that these descendants OF
the former lords of the forests, if given
equal opportunities, would, in a few
years, take the football championship
from their white competitors. 1t is only
the advantage which the big college
teams have OF selecting players from
greater numbers which gives them
their present superiority What the red
race will do in base ball remains to be
seen. If Sockalexis achieves any sue
cess with the Cleveland team, he will
undoubtedly open the gates of the pro-
fession to others of his people.
There is no prejudice against the In
dian among professional sporting cir
cles such as has always existed against
the negro. Once before I noted the
fact that, while there have been ex-
cellent base ball players of the African
race members Of distinctly negro
teams, not one has ever received pro-
fessional recognition from the National
league since it's organization. Arson
some years ago went upon the nelu IN
an Ohio town with his Chicago White
Stockings to play the local club in all
exhibition game. The local team APP
peared with a negro catcher on the
nine, and Arson refused to let his team
play until the cOlored brother was re-
placed by a white player. Strong as
the Cuban Giants and Paige Fence
Giants are as drawing cards, one never
hears Of either of these negro mines
meeting a National league team on
National league diamond, or on any
outside diamond, for that matter. The
Cincinnatis, while a member of the
American association. played a game in
New Jersey with the Cuban Giants
some years ago, 1 believe. But that
was an exception.
This question Of race in base ball
comes up again through the entrance
of the American Indian into the Ma
tiOnal league and recalls some rather
astonishing facts. When Friend made