The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-02-04
FORMER DIAMOND STARS.
WH4T HAS BECOME OF FORMER
 CRACK BALL PLAYERS.

ably, Too-Short Paragraphs of His
 tory Relative to Green Diamond
 stars-Jim Mutrie in Hard Luck.
 What has become of the heroes of
 the green diamond, who in the palmy throughout the country as our famous
 generals?" asked New York telegraph operator of his friend.
 Well" replied the latter most of them are still alive, and in nearly every
 case well provided for. In the days
 when the Big Four and other idols served up base ball to bowling crowds
 there was more money to be made by
 the star players than at the present
 time In those days, also, the players knew the real value of money, and from their annual stipend there was al- ways a goodly share that found its way into some banking institution or was safely invested in some other way.
 Now these players not aged, but just too old to keep up the pace set by the younger generation of base ball stars, are enjoying the fruits of the eco- nomical and business-like plan adopted.
 Many of the stars of former years tried. their hand at umpiring, but with the exception of one or two this ven- ture was not successful
 "The members of the Big Four were probably the most prominent quartet of players that ever gamboled on the dia- mond They were Dan Brouthers, liar dy Richardson, Jack Rowe and Jim White. Every one remembers the work of these four players in Detroit in 1SS6- S7. They were the talk of the country, and even after this combination was broken up and sold in 1889 the members continued to be famous.
 "Dan Brouthers finally dropped out of the game in 1897, after season With the Baltimore club. He did for short time after this play in the minor league, but the big first baseman had passed the stage of usefulness as player. Until the day he quit the diamand. however, big Dan made an infielder ner- vous whenever he stepped to the plate. He could not hit ball hard enough to dent piece of iron, so 'tis said.
 "Brouthers is now a prosperous boni- face in Wrappingers Falls, N. Y. He is the proprietor of the biggest hostelry in that Hamlet, and every now and then gets into a uniform and plays ball with the local nine.
 Hardy Richardson, who was at home either on second base or left field, IS living a life of comfort, for he is well supplied with the pecessities of life. After retiring in 1896, he located in Utica, N. Y, his native city, and estab- lished a roadhouse that Is rendezvous for every sportsman of note up the state.
 'Richardson when he was diamond star, enjoyed the reputation of being the best wing shot among the base ball profession. He has lost none ot his skill with the scatter gun and only a few days ago won an important live bird shoot in Utica.
 "Jim white, the third baseman, and Jack Rowe, the shortstop of the Big Four are prominent business men of Buffalo. They are partners in livery stable that nets neat income every year.
 Sam Thompson lasted longer than any of the other veterans of the dia-
 
 1898, and only retired because of an in- jury to his hand. Thompson invested the greater part of his earnings in farm lands in Indiana, and is now a prosper ous real estate dealer. His income is said to be in the neighborhood of ten thousand dollars a year.
 Former New York stars are still about, but 1t is rerely that they are seen at games. Roger Connor, James O'Rourke and Jerry Denny are still in the game, so to speak. They are club owners and all are in comfortable cir cumstances. Connor controls much in Waterbury. where he man. ages team and plays when not occu- pied in collecting rents.
 "ORourke, he with the flowing mus tache and language has been very with the bridgeport club, and when the base ball diamond is covered with snow O'Rourke gives vent to his radical powers in a, court of justice.
 James Mutrie, who was probably the most prominent manager of New York team, was popular with players and patrons alike. When the Giants were Giants Mutrie stood at the grand stand entrance, and, as each crank greeted him, he do ed his tile and an- swered We are the people,
 "Mutrie did not enjoy the luxuries of life after his retirement. He became i'll, but through the kindness of old friends he was taken care of. Mutrie S now resident of Port Richmond, s. I. Rheumatism got In it's deadly work and left the former New York manager cripple He is provided for, however, md every week receives a visit from some of the o1d- time fans. Mutrie al- ways greets them in the same way, We Ire the people,
 one of the favorites of the Nets and New York team. Esterbrook vas known as the base ball dude, and tt this late day is known as the Beau 3rummel of the Island. Esterbrook arely misses a league meeting. He Ippeared at the Fifth Avenue Hotel . ast December in makeup that start ed the clerks and hallboys. Ester rocks last league engagement was in ', SS9. He then travelled to New Orleans i, 0 play there, but did not come up to . he mark, and it is said that he had to ', 1alk from New Orleans to Baltimore Ie played with the Orioles part of the z eason of 1890 and was released. After 4 hat he played with professional \ lubs. |