Omaha daily bee., 1908-09-13
AUSTINO AND OFF THE FIELD
One Of the Fastest Players that Ever
Was in Western League.
ELEMENTS OF HIS BIG SUCCESS
He Puts His whole soul Into Base
Ball and Keeps Care of Him
seIf-OId Maid Of the
Team.


Jimmy Austin, omaha's fleet-footed third
baseman, who has been drafted by New
York Americans. will be missed in the
Western league perhaps as much as any
other one player who could leave It at
this time. Austin. aside from being a
great ball player and n noticeable one on
the diamond at home and abroad, is pop
ular and peculiar among the men off the
| diamond. He is one of those ball players
about whom interesting things can always
be written.
incidentally Austin's going to New York
serves to emphasize the notable success
Omaha has had Of late years on third
base. Schipke Of Washington and Perring
of Cleveland, we're developed on the third
corner in Omaha and Austin is admittedly
faster than either OF these men. But prior
to Schipke's coming, Omaha was up against
It for a third baseman. Eddie Hickey had
made a faithful effort, but did not succeed
in that position, Schlpke came and de-
veloped into a sensation and when he left
Omaha thought 1t was ruined. Then
came PeEring and he seemed TO have II
on Schip in a way, but Austin has been
here two seasons and ne is generally con-
coded to be the peer of either of the other
men.
NAaNnk W AAAA
Austin not only plays his position with
great fidelity, but his throwing. base run
ming and of late his batting, mark him
as a distinct star. He covers a wide ter
ritory and is always thinking Of some
thing to do next. A header player never
wore an Omaha Uniform. He is crafty,
cunning and resourceful. His development
Of the daring trick of going from first to
third on a hunt serves we'll this point. OF
course his wonderful speed as a runner
facilitates this play, but more than his
speed is his headwork With Belden at
bat he has worked this trick time and time
again. He gets a big lead off first and
is we'll on his way to second when the ball
is struck, then. il he sees the third base
man, who went to get the bunt is not back
on the base he tears for third and generally
makes II.
In the last couple of months since he
has been batting left-handed he has be-
come one Of the terrors of the league to
pitchers. His batting is regular and timely.
Three home runs in as many weeks with
two men on bases indicate something as
to his hitting. And It is interesting to
note that all these home runs were hits
inside the field, the mans marvellous speed
putting him across the plate where most
men could have gotten no further than
third.
Other players in the league have come
to have a wholesome regard and respect
for Austin. He is not a big man, though a
perfectly made man. He stands about five
feet seven inches and weighs about $50
pounds and is a specimen of athletic per-
lection. By trade Jimmy is a ship builder
and this goes to argue for the soundness
of his muscles.
Ask Zalusky or EIvvert.
Zalusky, the giant catcher Of Denver, and
Bill Elwert, who used to play third for
Pueblo, either one forty pounds heavier
than Austin. can testify as to the substance
OF which he is made. One time last season
Zalusky took a notion he would root
Jimmy off third and make the base. He
was on a dead run and came steaming
into third like a mad bull. the ball just
ahead of him. But Jimmy didn't tumble.
He crouched low and put the ball on
Zalusky when he arrived and for the next
two months Zalusky roomed in a Denver
hospital, while Austin kept right on play
ing ball.
Elwert's experience was similar. He,
too, got the worst Of a collision with Jimmy
and boarded at a hospital for a while after
ward.
On the diamond Austin is a fighter, but a
clean fighter. He contends for a point as
long as there is a chance to get it. and then
some, but off the diamond he is the most
quiet man on the team. He is exemplary
in his habits and is the old maid of the
club. This is due to his distinct domestic
qualities, He carries with him on the road
a kit of sewing implements-needles. thread,
buttons and safety pins. II one Of the
players rips his pants, or tears off a but
ton, or happens to do any other such acct
dent, it's Jimmy fix this and Jimmy
gets down his wofkbasket and goes "a
work. Many times after a game he will
be busy in the hotel or club house for an
hour repairing busted garments, for him
self or other players. Not long ago Joe
Dolan. playing with Dies Moines, slit his
trousers sliding into third base. He walked
over to the Omaha players bench, where
Hall was sitting.
where's Jimmy's needle and thread? -
Joe asked Hall.
Here" and Hall dug into the w,rS
basket. got a needle about three incaes
long. threaded with string and performed
the role of Austin himself. Jimmy stood
at third laughing.
Another stunt of Austin on the home
grounds is to wash his suit after eacf
game.
His Wife IL His Pal.
Austin's closest and most constant
friend and companion is Mrs. Austin
Whenever possible they are together. Hi'
wife is known at Vinton Street park for
the seat she occupies in the grandstand.
She has missed few games in the two
years her doughty husband has been here.
She is a scientific fan and a critical one.
Jimmy never makes a play that escapes her
eye and when the game Is over and they
go home for their evening together. they
talk over the details OF the game. The
little woman offers suggestions to her
husband and more than once he has acted
on her suggestion without regretting it.
Austin is about IS years OF age. His
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