Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-19
OLD TIMES RECALLED.
When the 0lympics Were Defeated
nv the Bostons.

One Of the old-time ball players OF this
city is Mr.. John s. Hollingshead. who
years ago. playing under the name of
Holly an abbreviation Of his name. made
a splendid record as q member OF the Ma
tionals and Olympics, and afterward was
the player-manager of the Washingtons.
team that had playing grounds at 9th
and streets in 1854 and was member
of the American Association.
Johnny Hollingshead was one of the
many local boys who made good in fast
company. for as a fielder he ranked with
Hall. Leonard, Mcvey and Fogarty. the
leaders in those days. and as batsman
he was perhaps second only to Paul
Hines. the best hitter Washington has
desk in the Post Office Department.
THE story in recent Star by Ted
Sullivan he remarked the other day.
was an interesting one. and there Is no
doubt the scene attending that Chicago
contest was thrilling. l remember dis
tinctly how here in Washington all were
interested in the game, and how the
boys of the sporting section Of the city
were putting up 'shinplasters" on the re-
suit; but II my memory serves me right
just as exciting. just as anxiously
watched by the entire base ball world.
and one. too. that set Washington base
ball crazy.
Il refer Of course to that first meeting
between the newly organized Boston team
and the Olympics of this city. two organ
izations made up from the celebrated Red
Stockings Of Cincinnati. Brainerd, Allison,
SWeasey, Waterman and Leonard COM
ing here and George and Harry Wright.
Gould and McVey going to Boston: 1t
was the first year that Boston entered the
professional arena, and its advent was
awaited with anxiety by the staid Puri-
tans who ibasked in the shadows Of Fame
uil Hall.
II have seen some Of the greatest games
ever played, was present In New York In
1870 when the Atlantics of Brooklyn in
the most exciting game on record defeat
ed the Red Stockings. to Z; also saw
the Atlantics of Brooklyn and Athletics
of Philadelphia fight for supremacy, but
none Of them compared with the sur
roundingS, incidents, cosmopolitan crowd
and the other environments that clustered
around the grounds at 10th and s streets
that bright May day of 1871.
Like Dexter Park. the grounds at 18th
and the means of reaching them was diff
cult indeed. as only single track bob-tail
car line ran out 14th street In those days.
hence the average citizen had to start
early in order to be sure OF getting out to
the jumping-off place. Still the big crowd
for on that day every dray. cart. wagon
or omnibus in the city was called into
ues and starting from various sections got
the crowd there on time.
Uncle Nick Young was then the able
manager and secretary Of the Olympics
and his first great game brought him at
once into prominence, so much SO that.
being continued. it waited him to the very
head of the base ball world some years
later He had the crowd ably handled.
persons in the vicinity of the park. an
idea can be formed Of the vast concourse
within the grounds. So intense was the
feeling over the contest that the Boston
newspapers sent special men here to re-
port the game the first time that specials
were sent direct from the grounds to the
outside world. as the telegraph company
had put wires in the press gallery for
such purpose.
washington, with its cream of the
famous Red Stockings in its ranks. ex-
pected the Olympics to turn the trick and
win fine victory, little reckoning that
the Boston contingent would be strong
enough to beat out Brainerd's deceptive
Doug Allison in his strong back stop
work.
When Umpire Doescher put the game
in motion and the play continued, it was
a mastery exhibition in every department
of the game" said Mr.. Hollingshead.
players were truly of that character.
which we see so often in print-marvel-
out-for Leonard. Waterman and Allison
of the Olympics made some extraordinary
plays, which were fully equaled by George
Wright, Barnes and McVey on the part of
the Bostons. Boston won the game be-
cause it had shade the better team
work. but as 1 have said in all my ex-
perience as player or manager. recalling
it as / do today. l never have seen ball
game that comes anywhere near equal
ing it in point of brilliancy, attending in
cidents and the crowd that gathered to
see the contest