Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-28
BRESNAHAN DROPS
OUT AS A CATCHER

From the Philadelphia Times.
What was probably the passing forever
of a great player from the game was un-
knowingly witnessed by the fans at the
Philly-St. Louis double header last Thurs
day. Word has been received from New
York that Roger Bresnahan's arm. which
was injured in the second game Of that
day. is in such bad shape that he has
very little hope OF ever going back in his
place behind the bat
Few of the people at the game knew
that Bresnahan was hurt at all, and next
day all the papers but the Evening Times
minimiZed the hurt 1t was serious from
the start, as far as his playing was af-
fected, and he knew almost at once that
his career as a player was threatened.
AS was stated in this column three
days ago. two doctors tcld Bres that
either bone in his shoulder or ljga-
ment had broken. 1t is said now that the
ligament is injured. and the great catcher
is not likely to don mask and protector
again.
Before leaving town Bresnahan ex-
pressed his fear that he was permanently
out of the game
1T will be a long time before 1 catch
again., he said. and am afraid it means
am out Of the game for good"
Leon Martel. who is graduate physician.
examined Bresnahan's arm the day it
was injured. and his opinion after the
game was that Roger would work back
of the bat no more.
THE arm is In bad shape" he said II
guess the old boy is all in
BreSnahan has been one of the stars OF
the National League for seven years. He
is rated as a great strategist: his playing
and managerial strength are valued to
the extent of little more than $1,000 a
year by the st. Louis club.
Roger was one of McGraw's most val
ued men when the Giants were pennant
winners in 1904 and 1905 He was
brought to New York by McGraw from
Baltimore in 1902. He went to the latter
club as pitcher. and accident led to his
development as a star backstop.
Born in Ireland June Il. 1850. Bres
came to this country at an early age. He
learned base ball while attending school,
and broke into the professional ranks
League in 1896.
He made good on the jump and went in
1897 to the Washington National League
team. In 1899 he went to Minneapolis, in
the Western League. and the next year
the Chicago Nationals secured him. Nc
Graw. managing Baltimore. then in the
American League, got him in 1901
Rres expected to pitch. but an emer-
gency arose. and McGraw told him to go
behind the bat. He made good there. and
Roger with him. In 1904 Mac played
Bres in the outfield and bit in the in
field to get the benefit of his sticking and
his headwork. On the field Bresnahan
was full of pepper and dash. He didn't
know when his team was licked. and kept
going after the other fellows all the time
The ST Louis club got him manager
last winter. 1t gave up Bugs Raymond.
Murray and Catcher Schlei--the latter Sc
cured from Cincinnati-for him. His con-
tract is for three years and is good for
"a. 900 simoleons.
He has demonstrated the possession Of
a big share of managerial ability. Base
ball observers agree in ranking him with
the brafniest and most resourcefuI Of the
chieftains III the game. His damaged
wing will not cramp his mental swing
but he will be missed from behind the
plate. Phelps and Bliss are good catch
ers. but they haven't Rogers experience
or knowledge of the batting weaknesses
of the players.
Off the field Bresnahan is a detective
That is. he works as sleuth in his home
town. Toledo. Ohio. during the winter
He is as good detective, they say, as
he Is ball player.