The Washington times., 1905-04-09
PITCHING MARK
STILL STANDS
RadbOurne, Of Providence,
Won Twenty Straight.
COMPARED WITH CHESBRO
Old-Timer Took Eighteen Games in
Final Series, Landing
Pennant.
COMPARED WITH CHEsBRO

The remarkable pitching OF Jack Ches.
bro of the New York Americans during
the season of 1904 established a record
point OF games pitched and won, but
oio-timers who remember Charley Rad
bourne still insist that the star twirle-
of the Providence Grays, who won the
championship of the National League
twenty years ago. was the greatest box
man that ever faced the home plate.
Naooourne was man of iron nerve,
indomitable pluck and great courage.
he was also close student of base
ball. and scientific player. He was not
a marvel IN point of strength. but he
had head filed with gray matter
which he neevr failed to use.
A Crack Combination.
| The Providence team. which was a
crack combination in those days. was
maoe up OF such players as Joe Start,
JACK Farrell, John Montgomery Ward.
Gloss, Nava. Cliff Carroll, Jerry Denpv
Paui Hines. Paul Radford, and Charley
Sweeney. In Sweeney and Radbo,rne
the Providence team had the best
pitchers in the league, but they were
different in habits and temperament for
Sweeney was a bull-headed chap. fond
OF sWlftiy-going companions, while Rad
bourne was just the opposite.
The Providence tear, was conjne
down the flomestretch in the race 20
the pennant, and had twenty-oue games
TO play. 1t was a close fight yr,.b ,ho
bostons, and the Chicagos were also
closing with d great spurt vet ,,,i,t
Sweeney and Radbourne alternating in
me box, the Providence team looked to
nave the best chance.
In No Condition.
win tWenty-one games left to nIav
'ieie Ne' sweeney came to the grounds
one oay in no condition to pftcl, Rut
ne insisted upon going into the box. aud
NOBODY had the nerve TO refuse him H;s
curves were easy, and he had so Ift,Ia
speed that the opposing team was soon
nusy pounding the ball all over the lot
sweeney was black with rage. when
captain Start suggested that he take a |
seat on the bench
III pitch this game out" he said 500. |
therel IL be trouble"
so Sweeney kept on. and tho otbo-
team raced around the bases In a stead-,
stream With the crowd yelling In do
t!siosl, manager Frank Bancroft and |
taRtaln Start decided to take the h,,II
oy the horns They perernptorily order
ca sweeney out OF the box A free fight
was imminent; but as the other PLAYERS
nached up the manager and captain
sweeney hnally walked to the bench
WIZ the angry remark,
rms is the last game of ball I'll ever
pitch for this club"
Pitched Last Game.
ana sweeney true to his word, never
eaihe pach after he left the field. The
team was in a predicament tber ,on
i'aaoourne' VINO finished the game.
"nlch had already been lost. was tbs
only twirler left 1t seemed foo ,,,,oh -
ASK MIN 20 pitch in all of the remainin,
games. but Manager Bancroft hit 49,,
plan that worked like charm
Radborune had a reserve c,ausa -
ms contract. and was certainly taIkin,
u the slavery Of the ball PLAYER ua
was sort OF anarchist, and wac no,-or ,
nappy unless scoring the magnates for ,
-heir so-called oppressive measures ,
bancroft, therefore, told the president {
u inc club that IL he would out tha
reserve clause out Of Radbourne,s COW Z
-ract' ne thought the pitcher would CON {
sent TO onlciate in each of the repoatn I
ng games. Receiving permission 70 6
make such proposition, Bancroft asked '
If he would consent.
40st Only Two. q
IL 90 my best" was the reply. and d
tadpourne began his task of pitching a a
ragnlncent game against the Bostons | :
)ut of the twenty games in which he q
'itched without days rest. eighteen Y
'ere victories. The great pitcher had E
peed, curves, and wonderful contro, o
ut he also used Change of pace ,, and t
vas one OF the first to adopt this scjen- a
lfc delivery. He was not a believer IN y
tfikc-outs, but pitched for his feIders c
want the men behind to have il
cnething to do" he used to saw "and h
pitch accordingly With an easv t:
raceful delivery, Rad used Ia send a
y balls as big as a house" To such Il
iuggers as Anson and Brouthers. who O
lyariabiy drove long hits to the ont
elders. Before he had pitched ten CON
ecutiVe games, Radbourne's arm was .
othering him. When lie got through
l.h game his arm was vigorously u
'assaged, and was then wound in linen ~