Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15
When Dad Clark Was a Giant.

When Dad Clark was pitching for the
New York club several wears back he
was one of the best advertised players
of the day. He was a highly eccentric
chap, with as many foibles as the mighty
Waddell. He was said to be the most
unconsciously witty man Of his time.
He had a Chuck Connors command
of the English language, and really re-
markable collection Of vituperative ex-
pletives. which he was ready to use on
the slightest provocation.
Dad was certainly no ones handsome
child. either; in fact. bitter enemies were
wont to kid Dad on the face he wore.
But he was a clever pitcher when going
well, and had one Of the best drop balls
ever used in professional base ball.
He was a natural-born kidder. and, like
all men of this class. he had to stand
for a comeback in the same line. and
what was handed to him In the kidding
line would make many-page book.
At the time Clark was performing for
the New Yorks Aleck Smith WIS catch
ing, and crackerjack of catcher
AIeck was, as we'll as a likely lad when
it came to welding the willow.
He and Clark were always joshing each
other and it is recorded in the men,
cries of base ball historians that there
was only one occasion when Clark be-
came really angry at what Aleck said to
him.
This was on one August day when the
New Yorks were playing in Washington
and Aleck Smith was sitting on the play
ers' bench, resting, when Dad Clark
came by and paused in order to fix some
signals up with the catcher.
AS remarked before, Clark was any
thing but good looking, and, moreover.
Elections on his face. On this particular
day the Senators had been hitting DADS
curves pretty freely, so when he strolled
over to talk with Smith his face wore a
scowl that did not enhance the natural
makeup of his visage.
Dad had a way when talking to any
one to get as close up to that person as
possible, so when he began to talk to
Aleck he showed his face as close to that
Worthys own countenance as 1t was pos
sib,e to do so. But Smith calmly reached
out his hand and showed Dad away.
what did you do that for?" angrily
cried the little pitcher.
because don't want you to put that
face of YOURS too close to NINE, answered.
And why?" shrieked Dad, as a lurid
light shone in his snappy little eyes.
Because easily replied d. Al n1ossst as sx ne
I'm afraid. Dad, that 1t might be con-
tagious."
with Dad close and angry second In the
sprint.
What Joe Stanley Thought.
Joe Stanley, the local ball player. who
had a. good season with Louisville last
year. and who will be found with the
same aggregation the coming season. has
a younger brother. who pitches clever
article Of ball for the Montreal team OF
the Eastern League, which is managed by
the former local player kittredge.
This younger Stanley, whose name Is
Len, and who was last year drafted by
the foxy Clarke Griffith OF the New York
club, Is great foot ball advocate. and
when Georgetown University and George
Washington clashed Thanksgiving day
the two Stanley boys were spectators of
the game.
Len Stanley had the night before pur-
chased for himself handsome new derby
in. order to look his best over at the foot
ball game. and during the excitement of
that spirited contest Len laid his hat
down on the bench in order to applaud
some particular play by one of the strug-
Cling players. His brother Joe not