davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1909-03-14

st. Louis Browns he was never known
to pull off heady play. Criger. on the
contrary, is conceded to be one Of the
smartest catchers in the game today.
and will add materially to the efficiency
Of the Browns pitching staff.
Though the pitcher invariably stands
the more prominently in the limelight. the
catcher is after all the real power behind
the team. A pitcher can never make a
good catcher Of an Indifferent one, but a
good catcher can make an Indifferent
pitcher do good work. while a dub behind
the bat can make the greatest pitcher
that ever walked look like q shoemaker
But catcher's value to a team does not
end with his ability to handle the delivery
of any pitcher and every pitcher. He has
got the field in front of him; he is in a
better position to discover what the team
at bat is going to try to pull off, and in
a better position to execute q movement
10 stan 1t than any member Of his own
side. He has got to be mentally alert to
see and understand the signals. if any are
given, by the inf1elders. and must have the
courage to endeavor to execute them The
Importance Of the catcher and tnf1elders
working in unison was shown In the last
series between the Athletics and the st.
Louis Browns in 1902. In two different
games here. Jess Burkett, the first man
up, got to second on hit and sacrifice,
and on both occasions he was caught nap
ping off second-Powers to Cross. Going
on subsequent events, 1t is not unlikely
that but for these two plays, pulled off by
clever work between Powers and Monte
both games would have been lost, and
possibly the championship would have
gone with them, for it was a close finish
that year. And this is only sample of
thousands of cases where games have
been won in the same way. But man.
ayers could tell you of many more thou
sands that have been lost because of the
failure of the backstop to get on to the
sign or failing to make the throw.
Evening star., 1909-03-14

Many managers. managers of expert
ence. ascribe the failure of the catchers
to pull off as many plays as they did for
merly to their dislike of being charged
with an error in the event of wild
heave. 1t can be put down right here
that the catcher who is afraid of the error
column will never amount to much behind
the bat, just as a manager who depends
entirely upon the records in securing new
players will never get much OF team to-
gether. There is no sanctity about the
''E'' column One wild throw in three will
give fielder's percentage of 1861, but say
that the other two throws turned victory
into defeat. That would be a team win
ming percentage of 667, and that would
cop out any championship these days.
Evening star., 1909-03-14

Jimmy Mcguire will be the real man.
ager of the Maps this season and don't
you forget 1t, Lajoie knows that he isn't
there on that managerial business and
has practically given James full charge.
OF course. Larry isn't telling everybody
about this, though. THE Silent Mana
ger'' just fits McGuire'S case
Evening star., 1909-03-14
Three Old Catchers.

Wilbert Robinson. who has been signed
by Manager McGraw TO help train the
Giants pitchers during spring practice
was also a member of the famous Balti-
more champions with Gleason. Farrell
has been signed by Manager StalIings OF
the New York Americans. is one of the
oldest men in the game, and he and Rob
inson are rated as two of the brainiest
catchers that ever donned mask. Robin
Evening star., 1909-03-14
CHIPS FROM THE DIAMOND.

The wiseacres will do we'll not to under
rate the New York Yankees. Manager
Stallings is thoroughly acquainted with
all the boys under him, and they will do
their best to please their boss.
Evening star., 1909-03-14

The Clevelands will be up against It
from the start, as every manager in the
American League will trot out his best
batteries when the Maps come along. and
it will take gilt-edged ball for the La
joieiteS TO land One-two-three
Evening star., 1909-03-14

Williams and Ferris played sensational
ball last season, but 1t is doubtful if they
will repeat. The change in clubs has a
great deal to do with this pair doing so
well last year. If they fade away. good
bye to the Browns.
Evening star., 1909-03-14

it will take gilt-edged ball for the La
Joieites TO land one-two-three.
Detroit appears to be the goods but
the Tiger pitchers are about due for re
verse of form, and without their twirlers
the Jennings crew will have very hard
shedding.
In less than a month the Nationals will
be home for the big noise, and every
Washington fan Will be on hand for a
hearty welcome. AS Congress will be in
session, the private boxes will be occupied
by many notables. 1t Is more than likely
that the biggest fan" in the country will
throw out the first ball.
Little sleep need be. lost over Washing
tons outfield. 1t is a 10 to l bet that
Clymer Ganley and Milan will play at
least ~ per cent better ball than they did
last year. and this will make the trio
rank up with our nifty infield.
Many inquiries have been made about
season tickets. In the old days they
We're sold as the different magnateS need
ed the money with which to start the
season. but things have taken great
change in late years. Money is almost
the last thing thought of now, a winning
combination being the leading thought in
almost every magnate's head in the coun-
try. They riShtfully figure, get winner
and the cash Is sure to follow.
The Cubs had riotous laughter over a
newspaper forwarded by some New York
friends OF Zimmerman. 1t seems that d
trick mule was a feature of winter cir
Gus up In the Bronx, and that the man
aGer announced handsome purse as
the prize for any man who could stick
upon the raging animal Zim went up
and fought the untamed steed for fifty
minutes He subdued the jasak amid
wild applause, and then collected the
purse-Which was found to contain eX-
actly 81. Jimmy is still lame, and feels
a bit ferocious about the transaction.
'While good old Jim Mcclure is a grand
old gent" says Slagle 1T is cinch that
the intielders are delighted to see him
lay down the glove and assume other du-
ties. For the Deacon threw, all through
those twenty-five years of play, the hard
est. heaviest, meanest ball on record. 1t
came to you heavy as lead. and crashed
into the hands like a ball of iron. Then.
as If that wasn't enough, it twisted and
screwed right out of your grip, almost
pulling your glove off. 1t was a strange
ball. and dozen infielders haze told me
of its terrorS.
"Chance throws the easiest ball to
catch" says Artie Holman. at least. SO
old-time infieders have told me. When
Frank was back stopping he handed them
down to second with perfect accuracy,
and Vet so lightly that it seemed like
catching an orange-no sting. no jar To
this day he has the gentleSt and SOfteSt
OF throws. The ball comes fast enough
and straight enough but there is no jolt
when you receive it
Evening star., 1909-03-14
CLASSY CATCHERS
IN GREAT DEMAND
Spit Ball Delivery Makes the
Position Undesirable.

If Connie Mack were asked what he
needed most in his business he would
promptly reply: "A f1rst-class catcher"
writes Frank Hough in the Philadelphia
Inquirer. 1t Is a remarkable fact that
while there are hundreds Of young men
playing ball today as against dozens
twenty years ago, there has been a mark
ed decrease in the number of really first
class catchers-catchers of the class of
Ewing, Bennett, Clements and others of
twenty-five years ago. Just why there
should be such a pronounced lack of good
backStops no one familiar with the game
can understand. In the old days the boys
on the lots thought the greatest honor
was behind the bat, then In the pitchers
box, then the infieid and after that the
outfield. Many a scrap The Old Sport wit
nessed-and occasionally figured in-on
the old Parade Ground at 11th and Whar-
ton streets between rival claimants for
the honor of catching.
Evening star., 1909-03-14
VETERAN PLAYERS
WORK AS COACHES
Quartet of Former Stars Help:
ing to Train Young Play
ers in Big Leagues.

Veteran ball players who have retired
from active work on the diamond and
who have proved their ability TO handle
promising recruits to the major league
ranks. are being signed each year by en-
terprising managers of the big league
teams as special coaches for the young
pIavers under trial. says the Philadelphia
ledger
Last year Manager Murray of the Phil
lies inauguratcd the innovation by ap-
pointing eX-Capt. Kid" Gleason as as
sIStant manager or special coach for the
PhilIics and so successful did the plan
prove that this season three other major
league clubs have signed veteran catchers
10 coach the young twirlerS. and Manager
Mctiraw has gone Il step further by sign
ing Arlie Latham to coach the team dur
ing the game. This is not Latham's
first job OF this kind, however, as he held
the same kind of a position with ClnCin-
natl while John 7. Brush, now president
OF the New York club, was the principal
owner of the Reds. Gleason, Charles
CDuke') Farrell, Jim McGuire and Will
bert Robinson are the four who hold posi-
tons as special coaches Ior the players.
The training OF young pitchers In the
spring is of the duties which every
manager gives his strictest attention to-
for il means n great deal to the club as
we'll as the pitcher. Every year each club
in the major leagues has several pitchers
their list who never make their ap-
pcaranCe i'll regular championship game
But this does not mean that they have
been found worthless. Many of them are
not ripe for big league company and when
they are sent back to the minor leagues
for another year of seasoning the man.
ager of the team that sends them back
generally has pretty good line on what
may be expected OF the youngsters in the
future.
In selecting the promising material and
picking out the men who are worth carry
ing on the regular payroll it is the wisdom
of the veteran player that shows itself,
and this is where veteran players like
Gleason. Farrell, Robinson and Mcclure
come into play. When the team goes
south for its spring practice the young
players need to be watched. Ambition to
show up in good shape before the man
ager with the hope of landing q perma-
nent place on the team often causes the
young player to injure himself, so that he
is of little use to the club for several |
weeks, and this means heavy expenses to
the club and probab bly, the loss of a Job to
the player
The reports from the southern training |
camps are generally filled with what the |
young players are doing and how fast |
they are working. But one seldom reads |
of the veteran players killing themselves |
getting into condition in hurry. They |
have been through the mill and know |
what il is to take care of themselves |
until the time comes to let out their true |
form. With a trained man in each camp
to watch over the over-anXiouS players |
the chance of having the hospital list
fun all the time is greatly lesSened. and
this is one of the things figured out by
Manager Murray when he decided to hold
kid" Gleason to watch the Phillies in
their work.
Evening star., 1909-03-14

In the eighties there was no lack of good
catchers-in fact. they We're almost as
numerous as We're the good pitchers
Among the really first-class men, not in
Guiding the three already named, were
Wilbert Robinson-although in those days
he was called plain 'Bill'-who probably
cut greater figure in shaping up the
famous Baltimore champions than any
other man on the team: Jim MCGUIRE, who
caught Casey at the old Horse Market
and nearly every famous pitcher in the
country up to five years ago, and who is
now engaged in coaching the pitchers of
the Cleveland Club; Duke Farrell. who
played on several championship teams: !:
Doggie Miller, who did such splendid work
for Pittsburg, and Jack Boyle of the ST.
Louis Browns, who practically wound up
his base ball career as first baseman for
the Phillies. There is not one of these
men who if as good now as he was when
he was in his prime would not be consid-
cred a star. and yet contemporary with
them were probably a half dozen others
almost as good. Today the men who ap-
proach the class of these old-timers may
be counted on the fingers of one hand.
Why is ii thus?
Evening star., 1909-03-14
Murray's Plan Is Copied.

This IS one of the moves made by Man
ager Murray which has been followed by
three other managers. All four veterans
are well qualified TO fill the positions as
they have had many years experience
are popular with players and know how
20 handle Young players. OF the four
players Mcclure is the oldest in point of
service. and Robinson is next, Gleason and
Farrell having started their professional
careers the same year.
Kid" Gleason is the most active of the
four. and was the last of the four to give
up PLAYING IN major league company. He
played second base and was captain of
the Phitlies up 10 the middle part of the
season OF 1896. when he was injured and
knabe took his place. Gleason played in
several games, however. last season, and
is good enough to get In at any time and
play almost any position on the team.
Gleason was born in Camden, n. j., Oc-
tober 26. 1856, and started playing as an
amateur pitcher. He first played profess
sional ball with Wiiliamsport in 1887. He
pitched for Scranton in 1855 and came
from there to the Philadelphia club He
pitched for the PhillieS for four seasons
in 1890 he the most successful pitcher
ON the Philiies. and ranked third in the
National League. In 1891 Gleason went
~ st. Louis when that team was a MEM
ber of the American Association. He re-
manned with ST. Louis when the two
leagues were consolidated. and in 1894
was sold To Baltimore. The following
season he replaced the crippled Henry
ReitZ at second base and he was that
clubs regular second baseman. In 1895
he was sold to New York and remained
there until 1894. when he was transferred
10 the Phillies. In 1906, after knabe. re-
placed him at second base Manager Muir
Iay sent him to- Jersey City to act as
manager but recalled him, and Gleason
will probably finish his career with the
Phillies.
Evening star., 1909-03-14

There are those who maintain that the
introduction of the spit ball has much
to do with the decadence of the catchers
Undoubtedly the moist delivery has mill
tated against the backstop, just as 1T
sometimes makes an infielder look fool
ish after having made a particularly
brilliant stop. That would be persua-
Sive at least were 1T not for the fact
that the decline in the collective skill of
the men behind the bat had not been
noted and commented upon before Jack
Chesbro had perfected the offensive but
effective spit ball 1t cannot be due to
any difference in the matter of speed
for many of the oldtimerS named did
their best work receiving when the
pitchers We're privileged to take a hop
skip and jump. and fire the ball from
any angle from the forty-five foot line
Nor can it be due to any decline in the
physical conformation of the men who
are now doing the backStopping, for if
anything they seem to be running big
ger and stronger than the old timers
Evening star., 1909-03-14

Detroit appears to be the goods but
the Tiger pitchers are about due for re-
verse of form, and without their twirlers
the Jennings crew will have very hard
shedding.
Evening star., 1909-03-14

Assuming that this dope is CORRECT
and that the falling off in the collective
efficiency of the catchers is not due to
any physical retrogation on their part
the reason must be found in the differ
ence in the mental equipment between
the old-timers and their successors. And
there it Is In the purely mechanical
end of backstopping no one ever had
anything On Schreckengost: he could do
more with the mitt than any other man
that ever wore one. There are catchers
who can throw just as hard, just as ac-
curately and get the ball off lust as
quickly as any of their predecessors,
but those who can pull off a trick
after the style of Mike Kelley or Buck
Ewing. may. as said before be counted
on the fingers of one hand All the
average spectator can see In a catcher
is his ability to receive and throw to
bases, which are purely mechanical He
is rarely in position to know that when
a runner has been caught off base at
critical stage Of a game that that
particular play was brought about by
the catcher working in unison with one
of the infielders. The purely mechani-
cal catcher will never turn Il smart
trick. Take, for instance. the giant
Spencer who Jimmy McAleer traded for
Lou Criger. No one has got anything
on Spencer as a receiver or a thrower,
but in the three years he was with the
Evening star., 1909-03-14
Gleason Has Steady Job.

Gleason's work IS not only in the spring.
however, for the Kid holds it down all
season. and the veteran proved a big fac
tor in keeping the Phillies in the race for
the pennant last year. Only those who
know Gleason as he Is on the ball field
can appreciate his value. No man play
Ing ball today. young or old has any
thing on Gleason for working, and no
player deserves the title of Iron Man
more than the ex-captain of the Philies.
In the southern training camp he is
practically the boss" Manager Murray
gives his orders and Gleason sees that
they are carried out to the letter. Mana
ger Murray never takes his eyes off his
players from the time they arrive in the
south, but he is no more watchful than
b. Gleason. The Kid is ION the job
early and late. When the bell rings for
the men 20 turn out i'll the morning,
Gleason IS always the first one out Of
bed and dressed and then makes the
rounds, seeing that every one is up.
sually he carries long,wide razor
strop with him, and an outsider might
think he was proctor In school for un-
ruly boys. More than one member of
the Phillies will bear witness to the
Kids mode OF calling them for break
fast in the mornings.
Gleason has the reputation of being a
hard man TO handle in any kind of a mix
Up. yet there Is no kinder, more consider
ate or more willing person to do a kind
act or favor for ball player than Kid
Gleason. He Will lead the players in a
Iun until they are breatnless. and laugh
at them when they cry enough, and he is
one of the first hand to take ones
part or aid him if he is hurt. AS a re-
suit, every man on the Phillies loves
Gleason like a brother. and there is not
n man on the team that would not go the
limit for him.
Gleason has been big help to Manager
Murray, and the latter has repeatedly
declared that the kid will remain with
the club as long as he has any say In
the matter. During the playing season,
Gleason warns up with the PLAYERS
watches the pitchers at work and when
Manager Murray calls on pitcher to
20 into the box it is usually after Glea-
son has looked tne tWirler over in prac-
zee and reports him in fit shane
Evening star., 1909-03-14

Little sleep need be. lost over Washing
tons outfield. 1t is 10 to l bet that
Clymer, Ganley and Milan will play at
least ~ per cent better ball than they did
last year. and this will make the trio
rank up with our nifty infield.
The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1909-10-01
Two DeraiIments tuesday

Two wrecks Of no great consequence
beyond delaying trains few hours
occurred Tuesday morning. No. Is,
due here at 2:15 a. M, ran of the
track at Dryden, where quite serious
wreck occurred three weeks ago. Only
the pony trucks left the track, causing
but brief delay.
The local freight, leaving here 7 a.
M, with L. B. Roberts in charge Of
the engine, ran off the track at Cash
mere, but did not turn over. Thinking
the derailment might be serious, Mr..
Roberts jumped off and injured his
foot and leg slightly. The wrecking
crew was sent from here and soon had
the engine on the track and the dam
age repaired, causing but little delay
in the movement of trains.
The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1909-10-01

Mrs. James Brassfeld was treated to
a genuine surprise Wednesday evening,
when quite number of the members
of the Degree of Honor and Rebekah
lodge, of which she is a member, called
at the home of Mr.. and Mrs. F. S.
Searles to bid her farewell ere she de-
parted for her new home in Nelson, B.
c. During the evening a beautiful
silver berry spoon was presented to
Mrs. Brassfeld by the D. of H. lodge,
and the Rebekahs presented her with a
lodge pin, as token of the love and
esteem in which she is held by the
members. A delicious lunch was
served, after which the company de-
parted, feeling the evening had been
we'll spent. Those present were:
Mesdames George Walker, H. A.
Featherstone, Katie Hood, G. A. Pfeif-
fer, Fred Marble, Myrtle Franklin, T.
Eresch, David, Bryant, Titus, Davis,
Jones, Briggs, Yokum, F. S. Searles,
Frank Searles, Peterson, Smith, Wilcox,
Croker; Misses Peterson, May Nc
Namara, Louise David; Messrs. David,
F. S. Searles, Frank Searles.
The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1909-10-01
Convicted of Maintaining a Nuisance

George Rogers, owner of the Over
land Grill, was charged with maintain
ing a nuisance by allowing garbage
from the restaurant to accumulate.
The trial took place Monday morning
before Judge Booth and jury. Mr..
Rogers was fined $3.50 and costs and
the case.
The following gentlemen comprised
the jury; George Moad, J. w. Elliott,
John Hartman, William Roach, ]. E.
Gutherless, Taylor Yocum.
The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1909-10-01

The name Nashville Students stands
for the highest form of moral and uni
versal entertainment today. And if you
care for a good show that will give you
an evening of thorough enjoyment, you
will not be disappointed, as the people
with the company have been carefully
selected for his or her singing and
dancing ability. This company has
been before the people for twenty-five
years, and there is hardly a person who
has not heard of them. The roster this
year includes the following well-known
artists: The Mitchells, The Parties from
the South, Henderson & Bruce, whole
sale and retail dealers in fun, singing
and dancing. Frank Edwards, who
discusses the happenings of the present
time, and in way that will make you
forget your troubles. The other mem
bers of the company will do their share
to make you happy. Remember the
date-Wednesday, October 6. Parade
at $3.50. Reserved seats on sale at
Pfeiffer's. SO
The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1909-10-01

The moving pictures shown by the
Gem Theater Company at the opera
house on Wednesday night were wit
messed by a good, appreciative audi
ence. The vaudeville act of Messrs.
Waldo, De We're and Gates, entitled
The Irish Eskimo" was a success
and deserved the applause that was ac-
corded it, as they certainly produce a
good laugh.
The Gem company will be here
again Sunday with a fresh set of pic
lures and an entirely new vaudeville
act, which we are told will be feature
in all their shows from this time on.
They show here every and Sunday
and Wednesday evenings. 38
The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1909-10-01
$1,000 Reward

For return of three books: pocket
memorandum book, a bill book and a
check book on Washington National
Bank OF Ellensburg. The memorandum
book had National Commission CO"
stamped on back. The books were in
a blue jumper and left somewhere
about Leavenworth on the 18th of
August. I will pay the above reward
for return OF books.
37-3o o. Yeates.
The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1909-10-01

Some specials in chewing and smok-
ing tobacco for Saturday and Monday
only. Helmet chewing tabacco, reg
ular price SOC, special price SOC. Days
Work chewing tobacco, regular price
SOC, special price Soc. Penny Post
smoking tobacco, regular price per
package 10c, special price per package
Sc. Hoodoo smoking tobacco in tins,
regular price 10c, special price Sc.
D. M. Thomas, Quality Grocer.
The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1909-10-01

Being appointed administrator of the
estate of John Smith, now deceased,
all persons knowing themselves to be
indebted to him or to the firm Of
Tholin & Smith at the time of his
death are hereby notified that said
accounts are payable to me.
$40 F. A. Losekamp, Administrator