Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-01-07
DONE WITH CAME
Pitcher Arthur lundin Abandons
Diamond Career for
Railroading.
TWILL NOT REPORT IN SPRING
Gives Decision in a Letter That He
Wrote to President Sex
ton.

Arthur Z. Lundln, one OF the leaulnS
pitchers of the Three-Eye league, has
| announced his decision to abandon his
| baseball career for railroading. He
tells OF his determination in a letter
% NJ. II. Sexton. president of the Rock
Island association.
Lundin played his first professional
| ball as a member of the Rock Island
team last year. He is under reserva-
ion to the local club for the season of
1905. Lundin writes that he will not
| report. He states he has given the
question much thought. and his folks
have advised him to- devote himself to
ra:lroading, in which he has been en-
gagged several years. AT present he is
employed as night operator for the Bur
lington road at Orion, down in Henry
county. which is his home.
Lundin says that If he reported in
Rock Island in the spring ne would be
obliged to resign his railroad position.
His prospects of advancement are
promising. he intimates. and he does
not wish TO abandon his chances with
pig corporation for the uncertainties OF
baseball.
Loss L. Regretted.
President Sexton greatly regrets the
loss of the services of this young play
IT. for in him he is confident are the
qualities that in another summers sea
soning would insure him being called
by one of the larger organizations. AIR.
Sexton in his reply To Lundin told him
| that il was his earnest opinion that he
vas making a grieyous mistake aDe
| me that he would regret in later years.
N view of the great opportunities in
baseball for those that have the goods.
and he has observed enough of the ORR
IN boys work To- be firm in the conyic-
lion that eventually he would "A; an
To the highest position in the profes-
sion. There are pitchers in the major
leagues who are drawing salaries OF
several thousand dollars a year.
The Three-Eye, in the few years of
it's existence. has sent several players
who have stuck in both the National
and American leagues. Charley Case
last season made good with the Pirates.
Barney Petty is pitching for the St.
Louis Americans. Beany Jacobsen is
with Washington. George Mil is with
the Senators also. Charley Doom is
one of the star catchers of Philadel-
phia. Harry Bay is with Cleveland.
Frank Dillon is with Brooklyn. All
these boys got their start in the cities
that comprise the ThreeEye league
Cast Iron McGinnity. of the New York
Giants. was with Peoria only n few
years ago.
| Number of Offers for Lundin.
Mr.. Sexton. during the winter. had
several flatterIng offers To- trade Luz
din. but would not consider any OF
them. He had banked on the Orion
boy as the mainstay OF the Rock Island
pitching staff next year. Lundin is
young. physically well equipped, and
is natural ball player. He fits into
any position on the diamond, but of
course his strongest point is on the fir
ing line. He did brilliant work for
Rock Island. His record was remark
able in many respects. and his decision
To withdraw at n time when he was
rounding into his best work is all the
more disappointing to- those WHO had
been watching his career. and were
confident that he would shine. before
many seasons, in the armament of the
diamond stars Several of the mana
gers of the major league clubs had
their eyes on Lundin last year. and
made inquiries about him. All agreed
that he would make fast company tim
Der after another season. There is a
note of reluctancy at leaving the game
in Lundin's letter. and there is still