New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-17

the day he first g" broke into the Big League ,,
The first thing impressed upon a recruit ball
Dlayer's mind IS as WibeTt Robson the old
Baltimore catcher. often expressed II, Don I
get too fresh with your tongue at the start,
but show us some speed on the field. 1T
the table Robson always admon1shed the
newcomers to remember that other meals
would follow this one" at regular intervals
The first thing impressed upon football
players mind IS physical courage Without
that spirit of never say die, hrs athletic
abilities, no matter how great, are aDsoiuteIF
worthless to a football team
At Yale they have impressive little cere-
mOnV before the squad goes out tor practice
the first time every year he young athieteS
are all gathered in a circle at the dressing rooms
and without a word of comment, photo
graph of Hinkev, the famous y ale end rush
IS passed from one to the other. They all look
at the photograph and think. The silent
proceedings take on a distinct arr OF soiemn1ty-
This photograph Is a most remarkable repro
ductiOn of Hinkev's disOrted face, snapped
bv the camera at time when he was preparing
TO hurl himself against an opposing line
Hickey was not bulky PLAYER and he was
always handicapped by this lack OF weight
What he lacked IN weight, however. he made
up in courage, and the photograph Of ms face
shows an impressive expression Of determl-
nation TO win even at the cost Of being carried
from the field unconscious
This ceremony being ended, the Younger
athletics look very serious, ask few questions
about the most substantial tOgs Tor strenuous
work. and then proceed TO the field They
don Z dare TO make suggestions
The baseball PLAYER watches this scene with
an interest akin 70 wonder. From the youths
who are leaving the clubhouse his gaze wandeTs
over to a far corner where three or four strap
ping athletes are laughing and pulling heavy
sweaters over their heads. They have not the
solemn air Of the youngsters. They have
seen the picture before. On the front Of each
Of their sweaters IS huge blue y.
Lure of the Varsity Letter
WTHO are these guys" the ball player
w inquiries Of a pale faced youngster who
IS tving the laCes on his football shoes.
Why, they are regulars. replies the youth
in a hoarse whisper which betOkens awe
Old leaguers, IN other words observes
the ball player " What IS the y for:
That stands for Yale. replies the youth;
that IS the varsity y"
why haven't YOU got one," asks the ball
player. noticing that the Youngsters sweater
Is without letter of any kind
Oh" gasps the youngster- Not YET.
But hope TO have one within the next three
wears l had rather have one OF those letters
on my sweater than get first hOnOrS -
The ball player then finds 10 his arlazemenr
that college athlete viii work hard tor three
years and be content to be pummeled all over
the field, 70 get that varsity letter, even II he
never gets an opportunity 10 become a hero IN
the eyes OF the public. The moment that y
IS sewed on his sweater his claim 70 distinction
Is recognized He has made the varsity team,
Don't YOU intend 10 play this season."
asks the ball PLAYER, somewhat surprised
No. there IS no chance for me % make the
team 1t IS impossible replies the youth.
You know | am only freshman. We are
not allowed 20 play on the varsity
Then what do YOU intend 70 do"
w ell. l can at least make the scrub team
the youngster answers hopefully OF I might
play on the freshman team.
The football candidates have all LETT the
clubhouse and the ball PLAYER Is alone. With
his brows knit. he follows them 10 the field
That's what l call a game guy he solilO-
quizes as he continues TO think about the scrubs
the varsity y, and other things that the youth
has told him The best he can get Is a good
beating. He must be the fall guy of football
He goes out, works all afternoon. gets bruised up
and then runs back 70 the clubhouse knowing
all the time that he Is playing for Sweeney
Why. he hasn't got as much chance as a one
legged man at kicking match"
Hard Lot Of the Scrub
IL his observations concerning the scrub
the ball PLAYER has sized up the situation
correctly The scrub Is the gamest OF all
athletes. He volunteers 10 act. as a dummy
allows himself To be run over and crushed and