The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-17
O'BRIEN RETURNS
To THE SLAGPILE
Former Baron Manager Saw
the Game
LOOKING OVER YOUNGSTERS
For Big League Material the Probable
Object of His Visit to Dixie.
Something of His
Day.

Something of His
Day.
Thomas O'Brien. manager of the Barons
in 1904, manager of the Montgomery Pref
zels in 1905, and now travelling about the
country seeing baseball games and watch
ing the star performances of the young
sters of the several organizations, arrived
in Birmingham yesterday morning from
Atlanta
In spite of the fact that Mr.. O'Brien has
nothing to say anent the matter, 1t is
generally discussed that he represents
Cleveland, and is passing over the several
baseball circuits with an object of finding
out who the most promising younsters
are. Mr.. OBrien, according to a dispatch
from Atlanta, reached the Gate City in
company with Teddy Sullivan who is
working in Cincinnati's interest. Mr. Sui
Ivan did not accompany Mr.. Brien TO
Birmingham. 1t Is learned that the for
mer manager of the Barons will leave
Birmingham Wednesday for Montgomery.
Saw the Game.
Mr.. o Brien saw the game at West End
yesterday afternoon between the Barons
and the Memphii. He was surrounded by
the former directors and stockholders of
the present franchise, and was the center
of lively and animated conversation.
The days of yore were carefully gone over
anew, and the storm and sunshine of that
period, mostly storm, were abain brought
back.
Mr.. O'Brien was not a successful man.
ager In the Southern league He lsas
not popular as a baseball manager In Dir
mingham. though off the field he num-
bered scores of friends. During the first
few months of the season of 1904 the ham,
mers were unswung In Birmingham, and
Mr.. OBrien was discarded. From Bir-
mingham he drifted to Montgomery. and
assumed the managerial robes of that
burg. Again was he in little favor and
soon the news reached this city that his
resignation had been accepted. and Isaac
DuTTett chosen to manage the Pretzes.
His Long Suit.
1t may have been correct-tnat Mr..
OBrien was not a successful manager,
and that he was never able to make his
men play the article of ball which they
were capable of. But it is true that when
he managed Southern league teams he
generally had the best organizations in
the league. In 1904, in spite of the fact
that the position occupied when he left
Birmingham did not show 1t, the Barons
were naturally the best aggregation about
the circuit. The same was true the fol-
lowing season In Montgomery Conciden-
tai, as 1t may have been, both the Barons
and the Pretzels, after Mr. O'Bsien sew
eranee of connections, rapidly climbed to-
wards the top and became pennant pos
sibilities. The long suit of Thomas
o Brien is that he can tell ball player
as soon as he claps eyes on him. He can
gather together the best teams In the
world, but ii has seemed that he was un.
able to make them produce the goods.
However. If Mr. O'Brien is travelling fof
Cleveland, seeking to locate good young
sters in the various leagues. then 1t Is
a certainty that he has reached his call
ing. critic who thoroughly under
stands baseball, made this remark some
weeks ago: IF l was the manager OF a
big team I would give Tom O'Brien the
money and instruct him to get me a club
would rest assured that it would be
far better than the average"
The Old Days.
In the season of 1904 when Jimmie
O'Brien, star If there was ever one;
Johnny Duffy, one of the best fielders that
|
sett a fielding shortstop without a peer,
and Pat Millerlck, a good fielding catcher,
were prominent members of the team,
there was some of the toughest hammer
ing that ever took place in Birmingham
j. viii Donovan, at that time, a sporting
editor in Birmingham, led the opposition
to Mr.. O'Brien, and his players, especially
Jimmy OBrien. the third baseman. He
had numerous followers, and 1t is a GER
| tainty that had that sporting writer never
made an attack on the then management,
Harry Vaughn would never had donned a
managers uniform in Dixie. In spite of
the most strenuous criticism, Mr.. O'BreR
remained quiet, saying nothing. However
the directors took up the case and the
matter was Hnaily enueu by the nanulnB
in of Mr.. o Bren's resignation. Those
friends gathered about Mr., O'Brlen yes
terday went over those days. and the old
manager found pleasure in recounting
them. He referred to the times when he
had viewed many conflict at West End
when he was vitality interested, but did
not state that he regretted having depart
ed this burg.
Barons Are Strong.
Former Manager o'Brien thinks that the
Barons have able team, in spite of
the rather rank" exhibition put up yes
terday He did not deliver positive opin-
ion, but from remarks made, concerning
this and that effort. and this and that
player, 1t is certain that he thinks the
team strong. He did not compare Br-
mingham to Atlanta.
Mr. O Brien, as stated, will remain in
Birmingham until Wednesday. He then
goes to Montgomery. The exact nature OF
his visit to Dixie cannot be said, but the
general understanding that he is on a
quiet hunt for big league material for
next season, is unquestionably probable.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION.