Evening journal., 1904-03-16
BALL PLAYERS
FROM DELAWARE
Diamond State Has Fur.
nished Many Stars to the
Big Leagues
nMATCgY" M'MAH0N HEADS LIST

"WhlLhl VI NAHUM 1tABS llSl
Considering its size Delaware has
probably furnished more bail players
to the big and minor leagues than any
other State in the Union. in this par
tieular way Delaware has played an
important part in professional baseball
during the past ten years She has not
only furnished more than her share OF
players, but many of them turned out
to be the very best IN the business in
their respective positions.
1T is probably not known to the hum
dreds of lovers Of the game here that
five or six Delaware boys are now
star players in either the American or
National Leagues and as many more
are making good records in the minor
organizations
Baseball for years has been the fav-
orite sport in Delaware and is probably
due to this fact that so many have
succeeded in getting in the leagues.
Among the Delaware players who
have made excellent regulations on the
ball field are Homer Smoot. Daniel
Zearfoss. Charles Carr, J. Ira Davis
Victor willis. Delaware Willis, John
Townsend. "Adatchy" Mcmahon. Victor
Clark, Billy" Day Pete" Cassidy
George Prentiss, Oliver Faulkner.
Chic" Tierney and others. OF the
above number seven were pitchers.
"Matchy' Mcmahon would probably
head the list. Six or seven years ago
he was considered the star pitcher in
the United States. At that time he
was a member of Hanlon's famous Bal
timore team and it was due largely to
his great effectiveness in the box that
the nine succeeded in capturing the
pennant several tines in succession.
McMahon hurt his arm in some way
several years ago and had to practical
" retire from the game. He Joined the
Baltimore club last year but after
pitching one game. which he won.
'Matchy'' quit, as he claimed it made
him too sore.
Vie Willis is another Delaware boy
who has become famous as a slab art
ist. Willis has been the star twirler on
the Boston National League for sew
eral years and will be on that team
again the coming season. He has the
reputation of having control Of the
greatest drop curve that was ever
pitched His home is at Newark, where
he spends his winters.
Del" Willis, a brother of "Vic," is
said TO be clever enough to enter the
big league. He was with Evansville,
Of the Three ] League. last season and
did some wonderful twirling.
Kitten" Prentiss. who died here
two years ago Of typhoid fever was
one Of the most popular athletes that
Wilmington ever turned out. Prentiss.
although comparatively young, was
on the Boston American League staff
of pitchers at the time of his death
and had prospects of becoming one Of
the stars.
Jack Townsend. who last year was
one Of the twirSers on the Washington
nine, is a native of Townsend. Towns
end two years ago joined the phil
lies" whore he made a good impress
sion. but his pitching last season was
d disappointment. Tewnsend was a
member Of Jess Frysinger's Chester
team three years ago and went from
there to Philadelphia.
billy Day, the old veteran Of this
city. made a good record with Phila-
lelphiq during the days Of Jack" Tay-
.oT. Clements, ,and sam" Thompson.
Chic Tierney was formerly a
wirler and did good work for Norfolk
when that nine won the Southern PEN
nant.
oliver Faulkner. Of Hartley. Del
better known to local fsns
MS Rube of last years
Wilmington A. A.. Club. was formerl,
il member Of the Detroit American
( League which team still holds hin
on the reserve list
OF the other players. "Dan" Zearfoss
of Dover is probably the best knowr
to local fans. Zearfoss caught M tn,
California outlaw league for severa
years, but has signed 2 ST. Louis con.
tract for this year.
Homer Smoot. the famous .slugeer OF
the st. Louis n. L.. is a Laurels boy
Smoot is an outhelder. He spends tn,
winters at his home In Laurel.
Charles Carr, who some years ag,
/ played first base on the Athletics an,
also Washington, also halls from Lau
rel. He was with Jersey City last year
Carr also formerly coached the Lehigl
/ University team.
J: Ira Davis, who held down the frs
bag for Brooklyn, is also a Blue Hem
chicken "Nic" Clark, Of Dover ha
played in several minor leagues.
Pete Cassidy Of this ciA has play
ed first base on several teams IN tn
Eastern League with marked success.
In passing 1t would be well also q
mention Dick" Hawke, the old Bal
timore pitcher. who passed awaA las
year. He was a member Of Ned Han
Ions famous bunch when they wer
carrying everything before them. IT
had terrific speed and splendid contro
He was the first man to shut out al
opposing team without a run or hi
after the pitching distance had bee
heightened He performed this fea
against the Washington team Iii
death was the result Of an injury re