The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-25
HAD A GOOD SEASON.
Manager Tom O'Brien of
of Rome, N, Y, Team Re-
turns to His Home.

Tom Brien of this city, manager of
the champion Rome ball team of the
New York state league, is at his home
in this city for the winter BY good
management Mr.. O'Brien landed his
team at the top of the heap in a hot
season and amid intense rivalry with
Utica, which is but 10 miles distant
from Rome The Romes had a lead in
percentage of about IS, comfortable
margin over the Uticas, who were see
ord.
Mr.. O'Brien will take things easy this
winter. He sustained a fracture of the
wrist in August by being hit by ball
pitched by Malarkey, who twirled for
Syracuse IN this city last season. The
manager had to give. up playing, and
directed his team from the bench. After
the season was over the men remained
together and played a month on the CO.
operative plan. Toward the end Mr.
O'Brien thought his hand sufficiently
better to get into the game, and re-
sumed his customary position at first
base. He played without injury, until
he tried to throw home quickly to head
off runner from third, entirely for
getting mis- injured hand in his interest
in the game. He broke the bone again,
attempt any work until the arm is
thoroughly better. He will remain in
this city until February, when he will
return TO Rome and prepare for next
seasons work
Manager OBrien's team gave the
champion Rochester team of the East
ern league a tough trimming at the
close OF the Eastern league season in
September Manager Buckenberger of
the Rowdies arranged barn storming
expedition through New York state af-
ter the season closed. One of the first
games was between the Rochesters,
champions of the class A. Eastern
league team, and the Romes, champions
Of the class d New York State league
teams. Cy Bowen, who trimmed the
Worcesters so handily several times
pitched for the Rochesters. Manager
O'Brien's team defeated the Rowdies by
a score of 10 to 2. Shortly after the
Rochesters ran against the Oswegos of
the same league, and We're beaten to
0. Manager Buckenberger concluded
that the stock of his team would not
go far skyward if he continued his
transforming trip, and he suddenly
cancelled all dates,
In the game against Rochester, Wheel
er pitched for Rome Wheeler pitched
for Bangor in 1894, when Worcester was
in the New England league with the
Maine city. Ned Hayes of this city af-
forwards went to Bangor and caught
Wheeler
Manager O'Brien had on his team
Rudderham. well known in the New
England league; Nap Shea, who caught
for Brockton for several seasons, and
was once given trial for New York:
Wheeler. Billy Mains, the celebrated
player OF several Maine clubs, and who
was once given a trial by Boston, and
O'Connell, who played for Fall River
against Worcester in 1894. Manager
O'Brien made up the team himself
When he took charge early last spring
the management had a full quota
signed, but Manager O'Brien did not
think the men fast enough, and of the
original team he retained only two His
good judgment was shown by the win
ming of the pennant.
For a city of only 1000 population
Rome is the greatest ball town in the
country. Manager O'Brien says. 1t is
only a short distance from Utica, and
the feeling was so intense between the
cities that as many as 700 people would
accompany the Rome team to Utica
when the teams met. The newspapers
of Utica naturally upheld their team
and referred to the Romes as third rat