The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-06-15
MEMORIAL DAY Tn THE east.
Ii is the Great Day for Outdoor Sports
About New York.
A Sacramentan's Account of Ball
Game-The Great Brooklyn
Handicap.


Especial Correspondence of Record Union)
NEW YORK, June s. = Decoration
Day in New York serves a double pur-
pose, for aside from being the day TO
honor the soldiers who died for their
country, it also marks the grand open
ing of the summer season of sports.
And where else in the universe could
one find a greater variety of atrac-
lions than was offered to this sport
loving community last Monday? The
list included everything from racing,
baseball, wheeling etc, down to yacht
Ing and swimming. In fact, old Father
Knickerbocker just throws aside the
cares of the world and goes in--or rath-
er out-for a good time. There is no
need of going in for pleasure from
this time on, for now comes that de-
lghtful period Of outdoor life-excursions
on the water, visits to the various
beaches, and in town the ever-popular
roof gardens to drive away the dull
monotony of the warm nights.
But that IS another story. To go
back to Decoration Day. just try to i'm
agine this Greater New York awaking
to find the rain falling in torrents from
the most dreaTy of skies. Why, it was
regular Oregon Weather-seemed just
like Portland experiences, one shower
chasing up another SO quickly that it
looked as if they We're all trying to be
in first at the finish. But shortly after
breakfast the rain ceased to come down
SO hard, and by II o'clock the sun was
master of the situation, and received
right royal welcome, too. The only
damage recorded was postponement of
morning games of baseball, and a lit
tie too much moisture during the par
ade, for luckily all the star events We're
scheduled for the afternoon.
BY l O'Clock the storm was history,
as far as appearances went and the
pleasure seekers owned the parks and
suburbs from that time on. Up at
the polo grounds a large force took the
place in hand, and by the time game
was called the diamond was all that the
Pittsburgs and New YOrks could wish
for in their contest before the 240O0
rooters, who more than made up for
the loss Of the morning game.
And was not the great Rusie to twirl
for New York? Any crank present
would have assured you that the game
was already won-that he was present
just TO see how the act was done.
Well, they did win with ease, for the
big Hooser is almost invincible, and
the "A 600 went home firm in their be-
lief that New York will soon have a
hold on the pennant
Ditto the 1900 Brooklyn admirers
who made the journey to Eastern Park
and witnessed the downfall of the
Clevelands at the hands of the home
team. Just glance at those figures and
see if baseball is dead in the East-an
attendance Of over 10000 in Greater
New York alone Much interest is be-
ing taken in the game all along the
circuit, and the excellent playing of
some of the teams justifieS the liberal
patronage.
BY the way, it would do you good TO
see the giIt-edge ball Van Haltren and
other coast boys are putting up this
season. Van seems to improve with
age, and to see him pulling down sure
home runs reminds me of the palmy
days of old Snowflake Park, when a
"fungo" driven to his territory meant
certain death. Joe Corbett is also keep
ing up the excellent reputation he won
last year as a twirler for Baltimore.
The surprise Of the season is Sock
alexis, a full-blood Indian and college
bred, at that, who is doing splendid
work for Cleveland. He seems capable
of covering the entire diamond, bats
like a fiend, and thinks nothing OF
stealing bases. Next season will no
doubt see all the league managers up
in Maine looking for some more like
him.
The wheelmen had a splendid after
Moons sport, considering the poor
promises of the morning. The greatest
attraction was the Irxington- Milburn
road race in New Jersey. There were
over 100 entries, and the race was run
despite the wretched condition of the
course. resulting in victory for Soden,
a Newark scorcher.
But Brooklyn held the trump card in
the great and only Brooklyn handicap,
which was run off at Gravesend,
and, as is usual with the event, the un-
expected happened, and lucky Pitts
burg Phil won the race and glory with
a mud-horse entered at the eleventh
hour. And while the race was hardly
close one. the surprise at the result Offset
any disappointment. There are few
events in the sporting world which
awaken as much interest as does this
race.
Why, as the day draws near the eX-
element seems to be in the very atmos-
phere. and speculation regarding the
winner becomes intense-not only spec
ulation of the mind. but of pocketbook
as well. People who never think OF gong
to a race course at any other time catch
the contagion (or a trolley carr and
handicap afternoon" finds them at
Gravesend. 1t might be said incident
ally that all roads led there on Monday.
The crowd was somewhat slow in ar
irving, but by the time the second race
had been run the scene was positively
brilliant All was life and animation. A
warm. salt-laden breeze crept in from
beyond the distant green fringe of
trees and crossing the great Enclosure