Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-22
DONAHUES GREAT
BASEBALL FAMILY
MANY SPEEDY PLAYERS CARRY
NAME
FOUR BROTHERS AND COUSIN
ARE ENROLLED
Jiqqs Sets Pace for the Tree-Famous
Break Into Game in Sand Lot and
Jump Into Prominence In
Professional Game

Many baseball families have come
into the limelight from time to time,
but the Chicago Record-Herald thinks
the Donahue clan one of the most
noted.
When 1t comes to growing a base
ball family tree tbs well to put bet
on the Donahues. They stack up with
the class. With four brothers and a
cousin all enrolled, the pastime surely
is destined to see a lot of this act
be the setting laid in the American,
the Eastern or Central leagues, or just
ordinary semi-pro society. Death re-
moved one brother three years ago.
while still another wing of the mighty
host has abandoned the game to lead
the simple life in Springfield, Ohio, the
native heath.
The Cancels, the Kelleys and the
Delehantys, all of these have carved
their notches in the world of baseball,
but it has remained for the Donahues
to put on the all-star cast for the gen
eral cause. They cover a little az
shortstop, also do some catching, and
the greatest of them all, the Jigger,
is getting ready to fit a toe-lock 60
the managerial berth at Washington,
according to reports emanating from
the oldest inhabitant.
The Donahues broke into the game
on the same old sand lot in Spring
field, each getting his start when still
in his teens. Marty. the oldest, who is
noW engaged in the pool and billiard
industry at the home city, was first to
try a hand at baseball. Then Eddie,
who died three years ago at the age of
20, following suit. John, better known
as "Jiggs," was next upon the scene,
with George, Pat and frankie follow
ing in order.
Cousin Bill got the fever when the
wave hit Jlggs, and for the last six
years the baseball atmosphere has
fairly reeked with tales of mighty
achievements by the "Jigger," or one
of his illustrious brothers.
Jiggs Sets the Pace
It was "Jiggs" who set the pace by
jumping into professional circles, and
the others were keen to follow. Start
ing as a catcher for an amateur clut
at home, "Jiggs" gradually worked
his way through the bullrushes, play
ing with Marietta, Wheeling, Dayton
Pittsburg and Milwaukee. While
wearing a brewers uniform he was
taught the manly art of covering first
base, studying the fine points under
Joe Cantillon, now boss of the Sena-
tors. Then the White SoX landed the
dancing master and a recent trade
shifted him to Washington. Brother
Pat, now 25 years old, is the regular
backstop for Boston's American league
club. He donned the chest protec-
then jumped to Utica, in the New York
State league, and after two seasons
joined Portland in the Pacific Coast
league. Two years ago he went to
the Red Sox.
An accident, resulting in the break
ing of his arm, deprived George of the
chance Of making good in fast COM
pany. He is now boss of the Drexel
Billiard Parlors in Chicago. George
played at Dayton In 1899, and while
there broke his arm in a frolieksome
scuffle returning from a game. He
later was offered an infield job with
Canton, Ohio, and also with Memphis
but was forced to turn down the
berths.
frankie the 22-year-old phenom, is
burning up the Central league with
his swell work at second with the
Fort Wayne club. He jumped into the
Central league, first playing with the
Springfield club. and later went to
Fort Wayne, with Hendricks. Then
he Joined the Boston Red SoX and lar
er was shifted to Providence. return
ing last spring to Fort Wayne.
Cousin Bill, centerfelder for the
Wheeler club, really got his start al
Urbana, Ohio but soon joined the Ev-
ansville club, later donning a Memphis
suit. Now he is back in the Central
league doing deadly work with the
bingle-stick. And the chances are Bill
will soon be toting a big league con-
tract, for his batting eye never was
keener than at the present writing
and more than one scout has jour
neyed around the Central circuit tC
line up the dope on the cousin. Thus
more than one family tree has in real
ity sprouted from the underbrush OF
the Central league