The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1909-03-22

Joe McGinnity, the owner-pitcher OF
the Newark Tigers for the season of
1909, was born on March 10, 1872. in
Rock Island, III. The Rock Islanders
declare that a baseball was in Joe's
mouth when he was born instead of
the proverbial spoon. 1t is possible,
therefore, that the Iron Man" is the
real originator of the spit-ball, claim
ants of that honor for the old Brooklyn
pitcher, Elmer Stricklett, to. tho con-
trary Notwithstanding. Joe himself
says that all through boyhood his only
toy was a baseball and that from as
far back as he a remember. he took
delight in making the sphere Edo funny
stunts" No one in the city of his birth
could catch Mac and he was known
to have power in his arm to shoot a
ball through a barn door,
Played First with Peoria.
The man who was later to make
both Rock Island and McAlester. Okla.
on the baseball map, played his first
professional game with the Peoria club
of the |. |. /. League.
In 1899, Joe was bought by Balti-
more, then In the National League.
When, the old t~welve-club circuit was
dropped and Baltimore got the hook in
1900, Joe went to Brooklyn, where his
marvellous pitching brought the pen
nant TO that club. In 1901 Mac went
back to his old love. Baltimore, then a
member of the newly formed American
League. When, the oyster city went
from the American to the. Eastern. the
next year, McGinnity, with McGraw.
Dahlen, Gilbert and others of the IA
nous worlds champion team in New
York in 1905, came to New York under
the leadership of McGraw, and he has
been on that team and under the
scrappy McGraw's management up
until this year Even last year. when
it seemed that he would be released,
Joe went right ahead and worked to
the limit.
Did Well la Il Bad Year.
That he did well in a bad year. was evil
denced that he won II out of IS games,
1t only goes to show what a man who Is
always on the level will do even when he
suspects that he has been slated for re-
lease. The hankering TO he a magnate has
been with Joe for some time, and this spring
lie was able to secure what is considered
the choicest bit Of baseball properly in the
Eastern League-Ncwark. George Stailings,
last years owner and manager, was called
to take the helm Of the New York High
landers, and. wishing to give his entire at
tention to his new club sold the controlling
interest to McGinnity and IL Chicago CAPT
talist, III, C.. smith. He has made good
from the jump and expects 10 show his old
time form in the box, .
"OId SAL
It is certain that he will give batters On
the circuit all the trouble they are look
ing for, for With his famous underharl
odd Sal working he is almost invincible.
He has retained rs manager Harry Wolver-
ton, the old National League player, who
was successful in winning two pennnnts
for WillinmsDort of the Tri-State last
year, and. Mt a meeting of the PLAYERS, told
them openly ard frankly that on the field
he was TO be only a player, and that, like
them. he would be absolutely under VOL
verton's orders, The Tigers took to Joe
like ducks to water. and he has them all
working fit to kill TO make good and give
him 4 winner If there ever WAS a man
who deserved the best his players could
give and who ought to have the best for
tune and success as, an owner. 1t Is the
man. whc. with others, has helped efeatly
TO put the professional game on its pres mt
solid and high plane and that man is Jo-
stpb McGinnity.
McGinnity is married and has a prosper