The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-06-20
HORSE RACING WILL SURELY COME BACK
VETERAN BASEBALL
STARS ON THE SHELF
Van HaItren, After Twenty-Four
Years of Success, Slows
Up in Game.

One by one the veteran players are
passing from baseball. A lot of the
old timers have been making good for
several years in the minors, but even
leagues of less speed than the majors
are passing up the men who have had
the big regulations in baseball for
years.
The most recent old.timer to 90 is
George Van Haltren. Until a week ago
he was with Oakland in the Pacific
coast, but he has been released and will
probably confine his attention to indie
pendent baseball and to his trade, that
Of lather.
Years ago Van Haltren was one OF
the classiest players in the big show.
Until this year he topped the batting
order for Oakland. He hit .242 and
scored eighty runs in 1908 and was
good enough to lead off for his club.
He stole thirty bases which is going
some for a man fortyfour years of
age. But, he slowed up and has been
passed along for q club OF less strength
or is out of baseball altogether.
Originally Van Haltren was a catch
er, Then he turned pitcher and in the
old six-foot box where the thrower had
hop, step and jump before delivering
tho ball he was wonder. In 1885 he
pitched for Oakland IN the California
league, but in 1886 Joined Pittsburg-
The Pittsburg management could not
see him, so he was sold to Cap Anson IS
Chicago club. In 1889 the pitching
rules were revised and without the long
run he lost much of his speed, He
then went to the out6eld because Of his
hitting and made good there.
Tn 800 he took mart in the playerS'
rebellion and Joined the Brooklyn club
of the Brotherhood. After that ill-timed
league broke up he cast his lot with
Baltimore For two seasons he played
short and the outfield. In 1893 he was
sold TO Pittsburg, the club which want
ed him first At the close of the sea
son he was sold to New York where
he did his most brilliant playing. The
Pittsburg management thought he was
all in, but Van fooled them and did bet
ter work for as many years as he had
played already.
With New York he was the star cen
ter fielder, star base runner and run
gettcr. From 1899 to 1902 lie hit better
than 500 Even at that time he was
called the wonder of baseball from
standpoint of service and ability.
Only an accident stopped his major
league career. But for the accident he
rade at least four more wears. On Nav
2S. 1902. he was stealing second and
had the bag easily aud went in stand
ing up. He snapped ligament in his
ankle and was out of it. He remained
on the bench the remainder Of the sea-
son and most Of 1909 In 1904 he went
to Seattle and in 1905 to Oakland.
With Oakland he topped the batting
order, He was foxy, he was hard to
pitch to, he could cover ground in the
field and could bat. He was a valuable
man. But the effect of old age and
his accident told gradually and he has
been let down. Van Haltren s faithful
ness always was one of his strong
points. From 1887 till 1902 the longest
he ever was out Of the game was three
weeks Durinp three seasons with New
York he failed tn miss n game.
From 1885 to 1909 with only one sea
son Of idlencss is quite record for anv
ball PLAYER Three wears leadino the
National league in run getting also is
quite an accomplishment. Put. old aoe
finally got him and Van Haltren will
retire to an honestly earned vacation.
He is fortyfour wears old. but fortu
nately has laid aside enou~h money to
make his remaining days easv. There
are few men who have done so well III
baseball Twentvfour years Of base
ball activity is lot.