Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-04-14
SKETCHES OF PLAYERS.
Rock Islsnds IN Aggrsgsti0a Of Baseball
Men With Excellent Records.

Of players since she has been engaged
in the professional baseball business.
Varney Anderson holds a promi-
nent place among the leading man
ayers in the smaller lesgues. Aside
from his managerial ability, he is
good twirler, and al around player
He was born at Geneva, H., June IS,
1868. His first professional engage
ment was with the Milwaukee North
western League club IN 1887. He has
since played in the following places:
81. Paul. Detroit, Burlington, Mobile,
Washington. D. c., Minneapolis and
Rockford.
Billy Baker. catcher, was born at
Hamilton, Canada, Jan. 8, 1871. He
learned to play ball In his native
city, where he played his first pro-
fessional engagement in 1896. lead
ing the catchers OF the Canadian
league, and also heading the batters
with an average Of 424. Last sea-
son he signed with Arthur Irwin's
Toronto cub in the Eastern league.
where he caught 81 games, batting
at .Sl9 clip.
| Frenk Dillon, first base, was born
at Normal, Ill. in 1874. He learned
to play ball when attending college
at Madison, Wis. His first engage
ment was with Peoria as pitcher in
1894. He was with Grand Rapids in
1898. and with Rockford in 1896 and
1897. Dillon played left field last
season, but will hold down tire first
sack for Rock Island, and good
judges say he ought to make a first
class man in that position.
Bobby Warner, second base, was
born at Columbus, Ohio, Dec. "a,
1872. In 1878 his parents went
west, AID it was at Seattle that
Bobby first learned the art of play
ing baseball. He played at Kalama-
zoo, Mich, in 1895, and at Rockford
in 1896 aud 1897. Warner is a fast
fielder and base runner. a very good
batter and hard worker in a game.
P. H. Flaherty. third base, Paddy
Whack," as he is called. was bern in
st. Louis July 4, 1871. There he
learned to play ball on the lots with
such players as Capt. Tebeau, of
Cleveland; Jack O'Connor, Perry
Werden and other National lesguers.
His first engagement was in 1890 at
Seattle. Wash, in the Pacific North
west league. He played at Spokane
in the same league; in 81 at Sacre.
mento, Cal. in '92 at Charleston, s.
c in '9S at Memphis; in "a he was
sold to the Louisville National
league team, and in 1867 played
at Rockford. Flsherty captained the
Rockford club to the satisfaction of
the management and patrons alike,
understanding the game thoroughly
and being one of the quickest think
ers in the business.
z. F. Lynch, short stop. needs no
introduction to Rock Island basel ball
public, Paddy" as he is known by
every enthusiast in the city, having
PLACED here IN 1892, and again in
"a when We won the cham pionship.
and a more gentlemsnly or popular
player never wore q Rock Island uni.
io;m. Paddy himself thinks he will
play better ball than ever the COM
ing season, and for his own good. as
vel as the club, we hope he will.
John Kylen, left fielder. was born
at New York City. sept. 8. 1875.
kylen is one Of the youngest men,
bers Of the Rock Island club and also
one OF the best. Manager Anderson
secured him for his Rockford club
late last season, and his work was
something wonderful during the re-
mainder Of the games in which he
played. He led the whole league in
batting with an average of SOL.
Joe Wright, centerfeld. is na.
tive Of Oshkosh. Wis. He was born
Oct. Is. 1871. His first engagement
WAS with Oshkosh in 1892. He
was at Easton, Pa, In '93. Harris
burg in "a, Louisville and Pittsburg
in SO, and Milwaukee in '97. Wright
is one OF the best felders in the
country; fast and daring base run
ner and hard left handed batter.
Joe Strauss is German. He was
born at Hamburg in 1865. He first
played ball in Milwaukee in 1878,
was with Omaha in 'S9, Sioux City
in go and 81, Spokane in 1872 and '9S,
Minneapolis in '95 and sc, and
Grand Rapids in 81. Strauss is a
terrific hitter and should easily lead
the league.
Charles ICY" Young. pitcher, was
born a. Luray, Va. in 1877. His first
professional engagement was with
Rockford in 1897. he was with that
club the last two weeks Of the sea-
son. tie pitched seven games and
won them all, holdirg the opposing
teams down to four and five hits in
each game. Young is also o good
out fielder and batter.
Frank Alberton, pitcher. is Klon-
diker. He was born in Alaska MAY
l, 1873 His first engagement was
with Burlington in 1897. He pitched
good bsli. but could not win on ac-
count Of poor support He pitched
fine ball against the university boys
at Champaign.
Charles NJ, GinnIss, pi cher, played
with Hamilton, Canals. in IS9G.97.
He lost but two games last season.
la one OF them the score was l to 0
and the opposing Team got nary q