The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-09
HANS WAGNER Is
 A MODEST MAN
Big German Likes Nothing
 Better Than Retirement
NOT SPOILED BY SUCCESS
Is Willing Talker on Any Subject Ex- cept Great National Game-Loves the Play, but Shuns the Trav-
 cling and the Crowds.

From the Washington Herald.
 Who's that big, awkward guy over there2"
 What? Don't you know who that is? Why, it's Hans Wagner, the greatest baseball player that ever donned a uni form"
 The above conversation took place in Carnegie the day that the Flying Dutchman" left to join the Pirates before the opening of the season. The man who asked the question was a stranger in the thriving little suburb, but he was at traeted to Wagner by the fact that a crowd had gathered around him at the station while he was waiting for his train.
 Wagner, the king of baseball players! Yes the title just suits him, but he is far different from most stars, no matter in what realm they scintillate. The big, awkward German loves nothing better than quiet and retirement. He hates crowd and detests the notoriety which his achievements on the diamond have brought him. He loves baseball, but the game would suit him better if he were permitted to gather togesner a nine and play behind closed gates, with the public barred. And under such conditions 1t is difficult to even imagine what wonderful stunts he might pull off.
 "Honus" has been before the public for many years, but he has never been spoiled. No ball tosser has ever been more fused over and petted than he, but he has never lost his difhdence of man her. He is as shy as the average school girl, and a deal more so than many of the latter class.
 Talk baseball? Never. He will con- verse with you about guns, dogs, basket ball. horses, automobiles or anything else you like but mention the national .la never an opinion do you get from him.
 ''Im kind of sorry the season is open ing said the big fellow as the Pirates were speeding toward Cincinnati from Indianapolis last week. 'I like to play, but I hate the travelling, the crowds, the hotels and all this fuss and noise. I wish the Pirates could play all their games at home so that I could spend every night at Carnegie, where the people have seen enough of me to know that I am just like other humans, and have become well enough acquainted with them to pass me on the street without stopping and gag ing at me as if I were nine days won der"
 That's plain talk, dear reader, but isn't it just a bit refreshing after all the hot air you have been reading about ''Ty'' Cobb, Mike Donln, Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, and the others who do not even approach the only Honus in greatness?
 
 what he would do this season. Donlin has forsaken the diamond for the foot lights. Tinker also took a whirl at the theatrical game this winter. Wagner could probably command more money on the stage than Donlin and Tinker combined, but you might as well ask him to fly as to do any of the stunts that appeal to some of the other ball players Two years ago we'll known clothing firm wanted Wagner to take charge of their gents furnishing depart ment during the winter.
 'T never had any experience" said Honus.
 "Oh, you don't need any" said the you to do any selling. You just stand in advertise you as our manager, and we'll pay you a handsome salary"
 "So that's the game is it? replied Wagner. well, you just count me out of it. I'm not hunting publicity I get too much of it."
 This winter Wagner had a basketball ton. The team made quite reputation, they take trip through New York. Just advertise that it Is Wagners team and you'll get big guarantees said one of them. You won't do anything of the kind" broke In Wagner. You can take trip if you want to- but I won't go along and you can't use my name. It's before the public too much.'
 And that Is Wagner for you.