Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-08-05
AND RYAN's DAYS ARE NUMBERED
Old Vet Looks Like He Might he
All in ut Last.

Jimmie Ryan has severed his connection
with the Evansville team, OF whlch ne
has been manager since 1904: And one
sporting writer, in speaking Of the affair,
unconsciously gives vent to a fine bit OF
humor. He says, 1T now looks as II his
playing days we're over"
Bill Nye, in one OF his lectures upon the
wonderful advance of medical science, Ia
mented the fact that discoveries which mad
latter days could not have been made ear
lier in the history of the human race ana
thus permitted many of the most promis-
ing youths of the time TO come to the
fruition Of their years and not be cut on
in the bloom of their fragrant young Ire.
There was Methusala' moaned the
promise of making his mark in the world.
but one day he fell sick. His father and
was not like our intelligent, progressive
physicians of today, and he could not help
his young patient, who was ruthlessly cut
down in the bloom of young manhood.
Well maybe Ryan's playing days are
numbered; maybe they are over, but II
they are this old veteran will carry back
lation of knowing that he quit the game
only after some of his old compatriots
have been forgotten, except as memory
the majority of the present generation
never knew them. II Ryan's days are
over, what Of the rest Of that great ag-
made his advent? Where are Dalrymple,
Gore. Kelly, Arson. Pfeffer, Williamson.
IS,
and even the fieet-footed Billy Sunday?
Where are these men with whom Ryan
played? Not one is on the diamond, or has
and only Arson, who is I'm politics in Chi
cago, and Sunday, who is in the ministry,
stand far enough under the limelight to
be seen with the naked eye.
And Ryans days are numbered.
Few ball players have kept up the lick
that Jimmie Ryan has He has played aS IN
consequence in the country, has managed
several teams and has done consistent
work, though several years ago losing his
great National league gait.
One day In the summer of 1901 an off,
cous fan walked over to young man OF
diminutive stature sitting in the grand
stand at the old University avenue ball
grounds in St Paul.
why, amt you /. playing today Miller
The small, young man turned, looked at
the speaker and returned his gaze to the
diamond, without speaking.
Say, Miller, l say, why amt you in
the game? Can't you stick 'em out?''
The young man still said nothing. but it
was plain he did not ENJOY the lelo"
Jimmie Ryan was managing and playing
left field for George Lemons Western
league team that year, and he and Lennon
had almost come to the conclusion that Mil
Ter Higgins, a whrlwind at second, would
never be able TO bat good enough TO en-
title him to a permanent berth as pro-
fessional ball player. He was laid of re-
peatedly, and Holly, now captain for the
New Orleans Southern league team, played
in his place, not because he could cover
second better, but he could hit.
This thing is getting mighty tiresome
to me-" Higgins remarked one evening to
Dick Cogan, the Patterson alderman then
with Charley Chech, STIR pitcher for st.
paul I'm going to show them that /
can bat and I'll bat so hard one OF these
days that George LENNON, can't touch me
with a minor league job" ..,- A.
Today Miller Higgins is hitting the ball
over 300, and by Cincinnati at least, is
regarded as king of second basemen.