The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-04-07
BIRDS FLIT THROUGH
ARMoUR'S CLEVELAND EN
 ROUTE TO BIRMINGHAM.
Party Numbered 22 and Travelled in Special Pullman, Some Stars of Baseball World Were With
 Them.

Manager Billy Armour and his bunch of Cleveland Blue Birds were in the city for about an hour yesterday morning on their way to Birmingham where they played yesterday, winning from that team by a score of 3 to 2. There were twenty two players Tn the party beside Manager Ar mour and every one looked to be in the pest condition. They came from New Or three weeks in practice work and accord ing to Manager Armour are ready for the season to open on April 22 when they will play in Detroit with Manager Oar rows Tigers who are now in this city playing q seris of games with the Black
 The members of the Detroit Black Sox team were at the depot to see their rivals and spent the hour talking baseball. The greatest Interest attached to La Joie, the king of all second basemen, and about the most prominent figure in baseball at the present time. La Joie Is the player that the Philadelphia National League fought so hard to prevent playing with the American League and succeeded in keeping him out of the game in Pennsyl- vania During the past winter he suffered an attack of pleurisy and had several in- cisions made in his side. It was feared that this would affect his playing ability and 1t has to a great extent though both the player and Manager Armour claimed yesterday that he would be all right by the opening of the season. La Joe looks well and strong and Is seemingly in as good health as ever but cannot stand the hard work yet so Is taking things easy during the exhibition games. allowing Thoney, his substinate, to play the second bag
 Manager Armour will be remembered by local fans as member of the Mont gomery team in 1895.
 Since that time he has graduated into a manager and after successful seasons with the Dayton. O.. team last season took hold of the Cleveland team, being the oaby manager of the league. Ed Bar. row: the big manager of the Detroit team is the baby. or youngest manager of the American League this season and it is a curious fact that Armour played under BarroWs management in Paterson, N J. in 1896. and George Smith, now captain and second baseman of the Detroit team held like position on the Paterson team at the same time. The three cx-Paterson- ites had quite reunion yesterday at the depot.
 Other players on the Cleveland team who are known in the baseball world. are Addie Joss. the giant pitcher who is ore or the best in the business; Billy Brad ley considered by many to be the peer man, the hardhitting first baseman who was formerly pitcher. Bradley made one unique record last season when for eight consecutive games he put the ball over the fence for a home run. Elmer Flick, the right fielder. is another well known player as is Harry Bay. the fleet footed center fielder who is one of the fastest men in the country in getting down to first base. Two Southern Leaguers of last season are with Armour in Fred Abbott. the New Orleans catcher and Hill the hard hitting pitcher and outfielder last season with the Nashville team
 The Cleveland team is considered by many Northern authorities to be the pen nant winner for the coming season and Manager Armour himself is very optimis- tic on that score. He said yesterday: We have good team and will be in the fight for the flag every minute. Every team we play will know they have had game when 1t is over and we will be near the top at the finish if we are not there This will be the best season the American League has ever known and think the same holds good in all other leagues. The South certainly seems baseball mad if the crowds at New Orleans and other cities prove anything. Montgomery looks to have good team and can see no req son why the season should not be sue cess here. Manager Whistler is a hust- Ter and knows the game.