Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-28
THE NATIONALS TRIP
FORTY YEARS AGO

was a graduate OF Georgetown Univer-
sity. Pratt. Devlin. Walters, Zertlein. Nc
BRIDE and the many other speedy men OF
the day had to don their caps to Swift
JOHNNIE.
Johnnie Berthong a lightning runner
OF bases. and few, If any. better all-around
players, have ever been deveioped is halo
and hearty today and taking care of Tncis
sam interests In the customs service a,
Cuba
WINDMILL
Seem Studley came from Rochester Y
y. He was a strong and sensat onal pIay-
er and as slider TO bases would make
some of the base stealers OF TODAY look
silly. He, too. joined the mighty throng
years ago.
GEORGE THE THIRD
George Fletcher. who came to us from
the Excelsior nine of Brooklyn dixie Flsler
of the Philadelphia Athletics. was the pic
ture or neatness and grace. a strong PLAYER
ana cultured. refined gentleman. He pass
eu 10 MS long rest many years ago.
PETE
:. so named when catching for Billy VIII
Hams delivery against the Excelsiors or
Brooklyn, In 1867. on the White Lot Joe
Leggett had struck foul tip thar went
hlgh over and beyond Pete's head Wil-
liams yelled: Behind you. Pete mot being
able at that exciting moment to call mis-
name) Pete responded properly, sent joe
NeStht " DtNCn ana tete remained
ms base ball cosnomen for the years of his
ball playing that followed. When a Young
ster he played third base on the champion
lunior club OF the country 0he Unknowns
OF Harlem \. ". That nine comprised:
Davy Force, catcher: Charley Paber
pitcher; Billy Robbins. first base: Al Mar
TN. second base; Harry Mclean. third
base; Tim Donovan. shortstop: Frank
Brown. left field: Jaycox center field: "a
binSki, right field
Their grounds were at the east base of
Mount Morris. Harlem: Pete I'm later wears
played on the mines of the Unions of Nor
risania. on which the famous Creighton
pitched and Dave Brdsall caught: the Eu-
rekas or Newark, n. j.: Nationals and
oiympics of Washington. d. c. While
a member of the National nine he WAS for
years delegate with Arthur p German
ton whose bier he placed only a short Tina
ago floral tribute of love) to the Ma
tional Association OF Base Ball Clubs and
Wnen professional ball playing was first
advocated Pete strenuously opposed Il in
convention. but those advocating Il were
successful. Pete later became the assistant
supervising architect and chief clerk of the
treasury. and on page q of book mailed
you 0Health Department Reporp you will
see what an unenviable Job he is now up
against He Is still in the flesh and young
In spirit. lost none of his fondness for the
glorious game he played for fourteen con-
secuuve years. and can be SEEN OCCASION
ally at least. Joining the fans I'm their fran
nc yells over the fine plays of our present
sAobois tAidt LOO frequently aNailetn
little. The memory Of his base ball past is
dear to him. 1t extended through that
period of the games life when 1t afforded
an opportunity for the interchange of cour-
tesies. mutual acts OF friendship and hos.
pitality, friendship national in its fpel-
Ing. which went far In establishing the
great desideratum of the union of hearts
and hands That Pete has long enter
talned these views Is attested by the toast
he offered at the banquet give in 1867 TO
the Excelsiors OF Brooklyn at the National
Hotel In Washington. D. c.:
May our National game. the grand
est and best OF all Past times never be-
come extinct until 1t has winged its flight
to parts Unknown" and every Active
and Athletic" man. whether In or out of
the Union" for or against Liberty" be,
comes determined to march together from
the ATLANTIC to the Pacific" hand In
hand, with the noble key Stone" by the
light Of the guiding Star" under the BAN
ner Of Excelsior"
81 c ps',,maal 9f washinstcn D. c. Pastimes
HHob s; Athletic" Of philadelphia. Union Of
Atiantic of Brooklyn. PACING u OF Jsrsev c,tr;;
Excelsior Of Brooklyn.)
II am inclined to think you will be sorry,
when you receive this screed that you ever
did such foolish thing as to make inquiry
about that song hope not but on the
contrary. that you will be happily carried
back to the days of our youth, when you
the opponents in fact of the game that ,s
still 'winging its flight to parts unknown
and long years after we have Joined those
who made their last home run will coma
tfnue to be marching under the banner OF
Excelsior as the sport par excellence of the
civilized globe.
For the remainder of my allotted DAYS
l must, however be content with singing
the praises in my humble way of the vir-
tues of the game. Of which no fan tireth,
and hum to myself. as time speeds by:
My base ball battles are all fought
And all my bases run,
can but walt my turn at bat
To make my last home rum
And though our flags long ceased TO fy
Where 50 oft did go.
l neer forget those jolly DAYS
When We went westward no,
nor the many east and south that are
deep-rooted in my memory.
Trusting you are in the fullest enjoy
ment of health. and still find pleasure as
l do. In witnessing the base ball battles of
today. am your old friend. PETE"
The pete" of those days is the DEPUTY
Health Officer Harry C. Mclean of the
present.
The colonel referred to in the song
is Col. Frank Jones OF this city, who was
president of the Nationals at the time,
He Is now in the War Department
lawson Will Koap pora1,,,