Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-15
OLD BASE BALL STARS.
Doug Allison Discusses Conditions of
Some Former Favorites.

"Your stories Of the old Nationals of
1867, the doings of George Fox, George
Wright and Billy Williams of that long
ago period. are interesting to the old
readers of The Star, but what about the
stars of later time. the da-s Of the
BROTHERHOOD" was the query that veteran
of the game, Doug Allison, presented to
The Star man the other day.
Now" said Allison. Il do not think the
stars of the present day shine In the lime
light as prominently as those who fig
ured in the game when 1 was doing
stunts. They seem to peter out quicker
for some reason or other. and there are
no whitdeys, Radbournes, Starts
O'Rourkes, Snyders or ILLNESSES in the
game today.
Where are the players whom the fans
and press adored in the days of the
brotherhood? Very few indeed of the
men prominent ten years ago are now
in any of the major leagues, and, If play.
ing at all, are in hay leagues on COM
mission OF gate receipts, where years ago
they demanded the limit-$3. 600. Fortu-
nate, indeed. Is one of these old felioWs
if he can get into state league and get
a regular monthly stipend.
Here in Washington things are more
fortunate for most of the old boys have
Uncle Sam back of them and are able
to buy chicken for Sundays dinner. but
outside of this city their lot is not the
best. Tommy Dowd, one of the pets of
the feminine fans OF this city, Is work.
ing hard to hold his place with the
Waterbury. Conn.,, team: Dick Harley, a
clever Georgetown star and former league
player, is with Louisville.
Jim O'Rourke, the king of all. is still
as frisky as he was thirty-five years ago.
and is a magnate in the Connecticut
League. his two boys playing with him,
while his former pitcher, Amos Rusie,
once the idol of every fan in the league
circuit is managing to keep himself to-
gether by numbering in small town OF
Indiana Dan Brouthers is working out
in hay league outfit in New York.
"Cal Mccarthy. the once great outffelder
of St. Louis. is doing the coaching act up
in Worcester, while one OF his old part
ners. Billy Hamilton, is magnate in the
New England League. being sole owner
of the Haverhills. Jesse Burkett, the
eccentric find of base ball ten years ago.
is reaping a fortune with his Worcester
team in the same league.
'Dupee Shaw, unquestionably the
greatest left paw artist of his day, lost
his cunning here as member of the
Washington team, and is clerking in "a
small Rhode Island town. while his old
chum and catcher. Barney Gilligan, has
gone to bat for the last time.
Ducky' Holmes is out In Pueblo and
old George Van Haltren is playing with
the Oaklands of California. Scoops
carey. the player of many major leagues,
is down In southland with Memphis.
Lave Cross of pleasant memories has
announced his retirement. Roaring Red
Headed Bill Kennedy, the pride of Pitts
burg, was minor in the Central League
last year. 'Frenchy' Lachance, the butt
of the jokers at American League Park
of this city. and once a great star at
Boston. is with Waterbury. as is that
versatile player. Charley Bastian.
Gene DeMontrevile. product of
Washington and star, too. at one time
played in the south last year. but says
that he is out for good. Dale Gear.
Dutch Breitenstein and Big Bill Douglas.
all loudly touted men in 1900. are out and
out minor leaguers in the south at pres
ent. Mexican and Blake. who WED with
each other for the honor of pet of Cleve-
land. were also stars in the Central
League while old George Hargriver is
with the South Bend team. great fall
for the some time star of the league.
Very few Of the old timers ever strike II
rich, though exceptions might be noted
of the cases of Tim Murnane, who by his
newspaper work and management of a
league team in Massachusetts,. and Ed
Crane. by his newspaper work In New
York have done well.
These are the few examples that I can
recall just now. observed the veteran
land | still adhere TO the proposition
that the later day stars i'm the base bal
armament do not compare in makeur
with the players who played years ago.