Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-29
NOTABLE CASES OF
"RINGERS' IN BASE BALL

full OF '.laff'' that they had to go behind
the crowd and just literally howl.
The entire assemblage of come on"
gentry were having the time of their lives
at the expense of Kitr and Hutch. They
called them Percy and Clarence; inquired
in bucolic tones IF their folks knew they
were OUT and shot similar screamingly
funny bits of merriment at the bankers
battery, until every rural spectator on the
ground was simply killing himself ''laff-
ing"
Everybody was happy" as almost the
entire amount of circulating coin in the
county was down on the game and the
contest already won, as far as the ruralites
could see.
1t is not necessary TO go into the harrow
ing details of that memorable game, as the
particulars are too painful to relate; suffice
is to say that not once during the entire
nine innings did festive "Rube' arrive at
the second sack, for the ones that Hutch
did not strike out Kilt, with his unerrng
aim and cannon-ball delivery, would throw
out anywhere from fifteen to twenty feet
from the bag. While at the bat Kilt and
Hutch every time up would drive the ball
over into the adjoining country
In some manner of means the particulars
of how the haymakers happened to get
"stung'' leaked out and onlooker of an
observing disposition who happened to be
In the vicinity said that never since the
world began was there ever SO many
people making noises like dog afflicted
there was in and about the town of Dawson
when the Inside work attending that
great Sunday game was explained to the
rustics.
George Browne, the famous New York
National League outfelder, and Ernie
Hodge, for many years the star catcher of
the Virginia State League, Texas League,
Eastern League and Western League, were,
In 1899, playing on the Dubuque Qowa)
team, then under the management of Ted
Sullivan.
Along about the middle of July the pat
ronage became SO bad that Sullivan pulled
out of Dubuque, at the same time severing
his connection with the club Hodge then
became manager and tried his best to keep
the fellows together. but poor business ana
unpaid salaries caused ball players to be-
come gloomy propositions, and Ernie soon
found himself and Browne stranded long
distance from home and the only remaining
members of the team left In Dubuque. The
sole reason they were still in Dubuque was
because railroads don't run credit accounts
with ball players or actors.
Now, on the Dubuque team of that year
there was the SWEETEST pitcher then playing
in that league. His name was Brown, and
just when things looked their gloomiest for
George Browne and Hodge, a telegram came
to their stopping place addressed to Pitcher
Brown, and asking if he would come up to
Keokuk, Iowa, and pitch an important
game for 800.
It was to be a ringer DEAL and for the
championship of that section of the map
AS the celebrated Pitcher Browne had left
for his home some days previously, the two
stranded ball tossers saw a chance to cop
that hundred, for they could use 1t without
half trying. So Hodge wired that the offer
was accepted. 1t being his intention to use
George Browne as the substitute without
letting the hiring parties become any the
wiser, as George Browne was formerly a
good pitcher and would no doubt make good
In Keokuk company.
So he and Browne. being friendly with the
conductor on the Keokuk train, were land
ed in that town an hour or two before the
great game. But unfortunately for the
scheme two of the Keokuk players knew
George Browne. having played with him in
some minor league. still. they did not know
Hodge or Pitcher Brown by hight. hut
only through reputation. So Hodge put on a
bold front and introduced himself as the
famous Pitcher Brown. He was given the
glad hand. and while he had never pitched
a professional game of ball In his life, he
was onto the curves and had the arm with
which to shoot EN- in. 1t was with
fear and trembling that he took his position
on the firing line. but he and Browne need
ed that century coin.
Well, the game developed into twelve