The San Francisco call., 1904-03-28
Defeats James Fitzgerald
Cleyerly in a Match for
the Worlds Championship
WINNER A MASTER HAND
His Youth and Remarkable
Strength Prove Too Much
for Opponents Science
BY Louis Levy.

Athletic Club yesterday afternoon that
he is without peer as an exponent of
the famous Irish pastime. He handily
defeated James Fitzgerald, who held
the title of worlds champion, and the
manner in which he captured the six
out of seven games played stamped him
as the man upon whom the laurels of
champion should rest. He was Fitzger-
AIDS master in every department of the
game except head work. His more ex-
perienced opponent had the finer points
of the game down to perfection. but
this availed him little. as Egans terrific
serving and wonderfully fast returns
forced Fitzgerald to throw aside his
science and bend his every effort to lay
his hands on the fast moving ball.
From a spectators standpoint the
games were not as exciting as was an
ticipated. This was due to the wonder
full playing of Egan. After the second
game Fitzgerald's strength began to
wane, and the young giant from Jersey
City redoubled his efforts and won as
he pleased. With all his cleVernesS,
Fitzgerald could not return the ball
with speed, and Egan had ample oppor-
tunity to manipulate the ball as he
pleased. Fitzgerald showed great clev-
erness at times in placing the ball. He
frequently drove it low with each hand
and aroused the enthusiasm of the
spectators.
The first two games were full Of fast
and exciting play. Fitzgerald was fresh
and strong, and his admirers believed
he would ultimately win the series, but
Egan warmed to his work, and the
spectators were treated to sensational
playing. From the standpoint of a
handball expert it was the finest exhi-
bitiQn of the fascinating game ever seen
on this coast, or, in fact, in the world.
Before the game Henry Corey and
Jimmy White. two clever amateurs, de-
feated Joe Collins and Midgy Mcguire
in two out of three games. AT the con-
clusion of their macth the champion
and the challenger entered the court
and were given a hearty greeting by
the big crowd that filled the three gal
lerieS. j. G. NealOn, the veteran player,
introduced the pair, and also took oc-
casion to thank the directors of the
Olympic Club for making it possible to
bring the foremost exponents of the
game to the court and allowing the
members and deVotees of the game to
see them in action. He also Introduced
former Alderman Dunno of New York,
an eX-champion, who came here with
Egan and who acted as scorer. Mr..
Dunno took the opportunity to express
his sincere thanks to the members of
the Olympic Club for the many cour
tesies extended Mr.. Egan and himself.
He stated that owing to illness Phil
Casey, the one-time champion and a
favorite here, was unable to accompany
him on the trip.
AL Hampton was selected to referee
the match and the men hit the ball
around the court to warm their hands.
7oar 20 T16 fhp
bent forward to watch the play. The
ball was tossed all over the court, and
this made things lively for the pair. 1t
caused them to run in every direction
in order to return it TO the front wall.
The ball was "humming bird and it
made one dizzy to watch it shoot
through space.
Egan secured the first ace by a bril-
liant kill from the back wall In his
anxiety to serve points Egan violated
the rule by overstepping the line and
the referee declared foul" on each oc-
casion. Fitzgerald put Egan out with
low drive to the left corner and went
in and made point. The two experts
settled down to their work and played
brilliantly. 1t was even up at six
points. Fitzgerald used a stiff left in
returning and killed repeatedly. Fitz-
gerald led for a time and then Egan
began to send out a lightning serve.
The score was even UP at II. After ter
rife play on both sides the men were
tied at IS and then Egan had a little
luck and captured the first game by a
score of 21 to IS.
Fitzgerald put his man out quickly
in the second game and went in to
win. He threw all his strength into
his serve and had Egan guessing. Fitz-
gerald had IL to Egan's before Egan
got his hand in and then the visitor
ran it up to II. Both men tired per-
ceptibly and they were more deliberate
in their movements. Instead of run
ming back for the ball. they would meet
it on the fly and drive it out again.
The back wall play of both men was
of high order Fitzgerald split the
back of his right hand in a wild at
tempt to get under low drive. Fitz-
gerald by a series of kills" and hard
serving won the second game by a score
of 21 to 15
The tremendous efforts he put forth
in the second game had its effect on
Fitzgerald and he was, to use a prize
ring phrase, "all in" Egan showed no
mercy and went at his opponent with
bulldog tenacity and wen the third
game by a score of 21 to 5. Fitzgerald
tried hard in the fourth game, but could
make only 9 points. In the sixth Egan
won as he pleased by a score of 21 to 2,
and he also took the seventh game by a
score of 81 to s.
Egan gave most remarkable exhi-
bition of strength and agility. He was
just as fast on his feet and drove the
ball with even greater speed in the final
game than in the opening games. He
never let up in his work. The specta-
tors imagined he had bat in his hand.
he hit the ball so hard. Egan's style
opened the eyes of men who play
at the game. He used his left hand
with as much skill as his right and
seemed able to hit the ball from any
position. 1t was his terrific drives that
won him a victory. Even if Fitzgerald
did get his hands on the ball he could
only return it weakly and then Egan
did what he pleased with it.
Fitzgerald played at times like a
champion, but these flashes of old-time
playing were far between. Egan's
youth and strength. coupled with his
splendid control of the. ball, gained him
new laurels.
The defeated player complained of
the balls used. claiming they were too
heavy and not fast enough. The men
played with a regulation Donchue ball
and it bounded around the court as if
f11II of life