Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-19
WHEN THE ORIOLES
WERE TROUNCED

days STAR were the hottest affairs that
ever burned grass OF the diamond. and
though the contests between the Nationals
and Afbanys always created quite q stir,
those between the Nationals and Baltimores
carried with them a maelstrom." This was
the declaration Of one of the "old guard"
who had just finished reading the story of
the meeting of the Nationals and the AL
bangs in last Sundays Star.
THE Nationals in those days were the
kings of the American Association, and 1
was not knocking any club when asserted
in that year that they could have won the
in any league. That team
was about the best-balanced outfit I have
ever seen, and I have followed base ball
for forty years-equal in every respect to
that Wonderful aggregation that In later
years Hanlon gathered together in Balti-
more TO win the pennant several years In
succession. s..
ers In Jack Lynch and George Derby, and.
strange to say, both were star outnelders
and the strongest stickers in the league.
To back them up there was old reliable
Phil Baker, who could play any position of
the nine and play It well, while Babe Trott,
local boy also. made good as catcher.
on first; Tierney. the New England lad, at
second. who, when in good condition, had
no superior anywhere; Joe Ellick at third,
the equal of Jimmy Collins at his best, and
Billy McClelland at short, the find Of the
times. with his remarkable baserunning
and batting. The outfieid was as well cared
for. Booth and Johnny Glenn taking care of
left and center. while Derby and Lynch al
This was the nine that defeated Albany,
Baltimore. Rochester and Richmond. the
last at this time having such great players
as Billy Nash. Dickey Johnston. Pyle, Fer
guson. Fogarty and others who graduated
into the National League. to become its
stars. The Nationals won consistent VIC
tories over all corners and carried the I'M
sttnted confidence of the local crowd into
every game they entered.
washington has always been a natural
rival of Baltimore in every style Of sport.
In the year I speak Of Baltimore gave It
out that at last 1t had a team that could
fifty uphold the name Of Baltimore and beat
the Nationals soundly.
"In July the Baltimore team did give
promise by beating the Albany bunch three
straight games. The Baltimore fans went
wild over the success Of their nine, and
could see nothing ahead for the Nationals
but the saddest kind Of defeat.
THE game was played July IL on the old
sporty boys from the capital made the
trip over, In the hope of clearing up a few
dollars-Just to clear expenses
THE success Of the Baltimoreans over AL
ON fire. and they went out to the park with
large bundles Of the long green and abso-
lutte faith in their team. The Washington
boys who went over just to clear expenses
quickly took most of the bets in doubling
Thomas fashion. and this egged the Monu-
mentals all the more, until by the time of
the game all kinds of fancy prices were
given against the Nationals.
ut was sad cleaning up of Baltimore,
for the Washington crowd gobbled up every
dollar In sight and then began going after
the halves and quarters. by offering odds
that the Baltimores would not score. The
return Of the team and that lot of fol-
lowers, who undoubtedly did clear expenses.
would make the loudest college whoopers
of today blush with shame.
Baltimore had as pitcher the noted one
armed Daley, a twirler regarded in those
days as the most advanced exponent of
the curved-ball style of delivery, but from
the outset the Nationals took a liking to
his shoots and walloped them to the four
corners Of the lot. The fall was so lament
able, so miserable in every respect, that be-
fore the game was half over the main crowd
was cheering for the Nationals, while the
Baltimore betting element began to howl
and join the bleachers in the desire to
rush out on the field and mob the Un-ables. |
1.-THE effect of this game on the Baltimore
crowd was apparent for the rest of the |
attended thereafter. And this. too. after |
there were IL 900 present at this downfall |
This laid out Baltimore as a base ball town |
until Ned Hanlon and his crew Of Robinson,
McGraw. Kelly. Jennings. Brodie and |
Reitz electrified the town and raised the |
popularity of the game up to a desired |
standard.
"a glance at the score will give some |
idea Of what an attack of stage-fright' the |
Baltimore contingent must have had when |
the old reliable Nationals started In to |
show them what real base ball was like.
Twenty-Five errors, Oh my!"