davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
BASEBALL'S GREATEST PLAY
AS | SAW IT
BY JOHN 3. FOSTER.
Editor SpaIdino's Baseball Guide.

To write a story about the greatest
play / ever witnessed on baseball
ground is most delightful task, and
would be more delightful could | make
up my mind as to which is THE great
est play ever saw.
| am like the country swain, who
admired Sarah for her cooking. Jane
because sne could make her own
clothing. Celestia because she could
bake divinely. and Martha for her gen
tie domesticity. and finished by marry
ing young woman who had none OF
those qualities over-developed. but a
temper which made the chickens
break for cover.
There's such a variety OF plays
which are above the ordinary. that one
must necessarily see. and so many OF
brilliant personal execution. which, on
the spur OF the moment, appear 10 sur
pass all others in recollection. tnat 1t
Is no easy task to select one from the
other
Nor is 1t easy, | find. TO go digging
into the cobwebs of ones brain TO
place these plays, which are securely
enough packed away. and which would
only need the faintest note of the right
reminiscence TO bring them back. For
instance, | remember part OF ali the
details of a play. which took place on
the old Kennard-st. ground in Cleve-
land years ago, which often seemed TO
me to be the acme of all baseball
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27

many flashes OF his former brilliancy.
but there was not the power in his
blows. the old trip hammer punches
were gone. A right-hand crack on the
jaw. followed by an uppercut finished
FitzsimmOns. Lang, who weighed
about 80 pounds more than FitZ.
ciinched frequently in the early
rounds and In this manner wore his
old antagonist out, so that in the
latter rounds he had him almost help
less. Despite the fact that Lang was
heavily backed in the betting at odds
running as high as 3 to /. the defeat
OF the former words champion. In
the face Of as game a struggle as a
pugilist ever made to retain the last
vestige of his fame. brought the SYM
pathy OF the large crowd and tho
cheers at the close were all for the
vanqulshed.
The purse of s12500 was divided on
n so and 80 percent basis. Fitzsim-
mons announced only few days ago
that he wanted To take on Burns,
Squiies and one or two or the lead
ing Australian scrappers on the pres
ent tour. but his statement today in
dicates that he will give up this quest
and return 10 America at once. None
of the australian promoters would
give FitzSilnmons a fight, even II he
cared TO enter the ring again.
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
BAsKET ETBAL[ BUGS
GETTING EXCITED
State Championship Clash Between
Spalding and Hope College Fives
Wednesday the Cause.

Basketballdom in Detroit is prepar-
ing for several exciting minutes We'd
nesday evening in the prospect OF a
lively game In the Light Guard arm
ory between the Spalding five of De-
troit and the Hope College state cham
pions from Holland. The fact that the
Spaldings are considerably the most
advanced OF any OF the local fives IN
their work up 10 date leads 10 the be-
lief Ilat they may make quite a dent
in the long unbeaten record OF the
Hollanders.
The Spaldings have been practicing
for several weeks with this one game
In view They have been materially
strengthened by the addition OF Cor
don OF last years Y. NJ. G. A. five who
will play one OF the forward positions.
and the team play. so evident in the
work or the five last season, has been
perfected under the coaching of Cap.
tain Merz. last year one of the stars
at NJ. A. G..
The Hollanders are very fast
bunch. beyond question. They won
every game played last year. among
their victims numbering the Detroit
Y. NJ. c. A. which took the local title
from ID. A. c. Their games were vir-
tually all played on their home floor
which. though perfectly fair. OF regu-
lation size and free from distractions,
was nevertheless in their favor. Their
advent into the play on other floors
OF The state Is one OF the most inter
esting features OF their local appear
1ncP
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
.CLEvELANDERS
TO SKATE HERE
Historic Rivalry Between Lake
Cities In Evidence at d. A. C.
Meet on Wednesday.

Detroit and Michigan skaters will
have 10 hump themselves II they sue
ceed In maintaining the prestige OF
their city and state against the inva-
sion OF the Cleveland bunch which is
coming 10 attend the Detroit Athletic
clubs big skating meet on wednesday
afternoon and evening. The Cleveland
ers are coming with an astounding
array OF amateur and professional
champions. They have had the advan-
tage OF several seasons OF work On all
indoor ice-track and know TO a nicely
how 10 skim the short turns and TO
sprint on the straightaway.
Hess and Brunst. both from Cleve-
land. are the champions OF their state
at the two-mile and the mile, and each
has turned the distance in better than
three minutes, which Is the period that
marks the real class in skating Mon
roe, Keller and the rest OF the Detroit
bunch will have TO do some tall hust-
ling TO hold their own.
Then there are Ben Osicky. the
juvenile champion. and Misses Dresher
and Leonard. the fastest girl skaters
in captivity. Miss Monroe OF Detroit
is being groomed to head them IL she
can. Whether there are any 14-year-
olds able to slide a half-mile in :32
wfAxbe determined when the races are
held. They will have 10 go about that
fast II they expect 10 trim Master
Osicky.
Probably the fastest skater in the
world has sent in his name as an en-
trant in the local short-distance events
He is James Rankin. of Cleveland, who
last year won the sprint championship
from such men as Morris Wood, Nor
val Baptie, John s. Johnson, Peter
Sinnirud and others. He will be happy
to concede handicap TO any ambitious
professionals and is ready to skate the
so yards I'm right close to record time
any time the ice Is right.
. The management OF the meet has
decided to eliminate the novice race
and will, instead, put on a race for
hockey players. TO be skated in hocay
equipment.
The mile race for the preparatory
school title is sure to attract a lot OF
attention. bringing together as 1t does.
OF Central High and
D. u. s.
A track is being constructed at the
clubs big rink which will he a sixth
OF a mile In length. II will be marked
out with flags on the pole and fenced
in on the outside. the size OF the CLUBS
rink enabling spectators plenty oil
room on the outside and fine view OF
the races from start to finish.
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
BOB F|Tz ADMITS
HE'S TOO OLD NOW
Says That When Dub Like Lang
Can Whip Him It's Time for Him
To Retire For Keeps.

SYDNEY. Australia, Dec. 27-1
guess I'll have to admit that I am
too old for the game"
This was Bob Fitzsimmons' signih-
cant comment today after he had
been knocked out In the twelfth rouna
of his fight with Bill Lang at Rush
cutters Bay.
when Il man like Lang can put me
away" continued the old-time hero OF
the prize ring. II know | have had
enough. A few years ago and could
have licked Lang for a pastime, but
now--wcil it's a different story"
Old Fitzsimmons never had
chance against the young Australian
champion after the latter's nervous
ness wore of. Fitzsimmons exhibited
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
SALT lake W0N'I
Get THE BIC
ENGAGEMENT
Pull Of the Mormon Church Exerted
Against Pugilistic Exhibitions
and Is Strong Enough
To Stop 1t. ~
Tin Wright Credits Rickard With Be-
ing on the Square But Points
Out Obvious Conditions.
Nv TIP WRIGHT.

Salt Lake City isn't going 10 get
the Jim-Jack fight, not in thousana
years. Neither is Jim Coffroth going
to see the dght held in his arena at
Coima.
In the frst place. the church that
Jos. Smith founded Is against the idea
OF the fight being held In Utah. and
although side-swiped at the last cleo
ton. the Saints retain pull enough 10
put the fight on the eternal blink II
TEX" Rickard attempts 10 hold II In
the state.
| received a letter today from a
friend who rs in the know on the
coast. in which he declares Jim Cof-
froth is in dutch in California. and
won't be permitted 10 stage the big
battle In his arena And TO my mind
at least, this heads OF any deal which
Rickard and Gleason may have In
mind 10 lease or rent the Conroth
place.
To me ii looks like California on
the bit, though. and a piece OF ground
rcrthw from Oakland appeals 10
me as the logical place where the
fight will be held. II is called Ocean
View, on the s. p. | know the men be-
hind the bids. Gleason especially, is
figuring with view OF purchasing or
leasing this property for the purpose
Of building an arena which when COM
pleted will be the biggest thing OF its
kind in existence.
All this talk about Salt Lake | be-
lieve is for the purpose of throwing
dust into the eyes OF some one. prob
ably to let Gleason and Rickard Sc
cure control OF the property they
want at reasonable price.
II he could turn the trick Rickard
would Hike TO see the fight staged in
Salt Lake City. but he Is shrewd
proposition. Is Tex" and am con-
WINGED he realizes his efforts in this
direction are useless, and that Vt
won't. be long ere announcement will
be made that the fight will be made
on the coast, and at Ocean View.
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27

PLAYS. Yet II is hard TO bring its COM
pletion TO mind.
know that Dunlap ran back OF hrst
base. twisted until he seemed to be
facing the outfield. picked up ground
hit in his left hand that no human
being seemed able to stop, and, with
out shifting the ball TO his right hand'
although he was a right-hand thrower,
tossed IL to Phillips at first base, ana
Phillips. half of his balance az ne
caught the ball. managed to throw TO
the plate for a double play.
think that Chicago was Clevelands
opponent that day. but there Is where
memory fails. although memory Is not
at fault SO far as remembering Dun
laps almost superhuman stop.
There's another play ! recall that
Sc eemed the greatest, and that was one
afternoon when McAleer, after a run
OF 80 feet, threw himself headlong and
slid along the ground until he was on
ton Of second base and caught low
hy. That's the best outfeld play. at
any event.
/ saw a catch on the Polo ground
which never has been duplicated by
another mortal who has played on
the Polo ground inield and that was
when Gilbert-seemingly at right
angles TO the ground. as he threw
himself into the air behind Mathewson
caught a line hi' with his left hand.
the arm being twisted back so that his
hand faced home plate. and in some
manner, never quite understood. he
managed TO snap the ball 10 Devlin for
double play
But as the term GREATEST PLAY
not only conveys the idea OF skill, but
Of importance. think that THE great
est play ! ever saw-a play fraught
Hith all the importance of settling a
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27

On the other hand, If New York
could win three out of four from Gin
cinnati, there was little chance that
they would lose the championship.
They would not have minded Coveles-
kie in Philadelphia.
Two games we're played with Gin
cinnat on this particular afternoon.
New York lost the first and the crowd
began to grow restive.
The second had been played until
the fourth inning. Dubuc was pitching
for Cincinnati. Seymour started with
a two-bagger. Devlin went out Nc
Cormick and Bridwell hit safely In
succession, and so did Craudall. Ten
ney had started TO play in the game,
but his foot hurt him, and he was
taken out. Merkle batting in his place.
The score was 10 as the inning be-
gan. in favor Of Cincinnati. and the
gloom was thicker than the paste In
a country printing Office.
On Crandall's hit Seymour had
scored. and there were three on bases
when MeTkle walked to the plate.
The crowd was not kept I'm suspense
long. for Merkle hit the ball an awful
crack toward right field and higher in
the air than a mans head b Z NO feet.
In fact. the hit would have gone be-
tween right and center fields II IL had
ever reached the destination for which
II started.
For just one second such bedlam
never was heard. for there seemed no
possible chance for MeTkle to realize
anything other than a home run.
Out of the half gloom in the dull
autumn day long shape climbed into
,fhe air and pulled that ball down with
the tips OF its fingers. The shape be
longed to Egan, Cincinnati's second
baseman, then being tried out. He
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27

They do come back, once In a while.
Johnny Hayes. winner of the Olympian
Marathon. who was beaten time and
again by Dorando. st. Yves. Longboat
and others after his return to this
country. is showing the form he dis
played at London.
Hayes ran a Marathon in San Fran.
cisco and won in the remarkable time
OF 2:26:54 3-5, which, unless the track
was short, is a new American record
for the distance.
Hayes has continued to plug along
in race after race: he has never shown
the form ne displayed at Shepherds
Bush when Dorando collapsed, but his
work IN San Francisco seems TO indi
cate that he Is In splendid shape. Az
any rate. his time is a vindication for
the little New Yorker, and makes w
for much OF the chagrin he expert
enced when he could not cop in New
York.
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27

SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. 27.-Despite
denials by Tex Ricard and Jack Glea-
son that the Jeffries-Johnson fight will
not take place in Jim Coffroth's Colma
arena. the famous Sunshine" fight
pavilion. just across the county line
from San Francisco. there is we'll
defined belief that as soon as the pro-
moters OF the big mill arrive at the
conclusion that the public has forgot
ten the details OF that secret meeting.
negotiations for renting the arena viii
be reopened Gleason claims TO have
a site In Alameda county on which to
erect an arena. but his better Judgment
will tell him that by taking the COT
froth place he not only will save him.
self and Rickard about $4,000. but
he will greatly convenience the many
thousand fight enthusiasts on the
Frisco side Of the bay.
More great battles have been fought
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
COURTS TRY TO DECIDE
IF BRITT DIED BROKE
Manager Of Stanley ketchei and
Others Apparently Left Wife and
Baby PennlIess.


When Willus Britt died he left his
affairs in tangled state. Notwith
standing the fact that his efforts as a
manager. with both Battling Nelson
and Stanley Ketchel as stars OF his
stable, after his own brother, Jimmy
Britt had deserted the standard. net-
ted him large sums of money, the lit
tie chap with the big cigar, left prac-
tically nothing to his wife and baby
Automobiles were none too swift IN
move him from point 10 point. and he
spent many dollars sending long let
ters by wire,. During the pear 1908.
Britt cleared over s240 900 by his own
admission.
After Britt's death II was found that
he bad deposit Of $4,000 in San
Francisco bank Ketchel said the
money belonged TO him, and Mrs.
Britt agreed that the boxer was right
in the contention, but the former man.
ayers creditors are making q legal
battle for the $4,000. Battling Nelson
holds one note for 81 900 borrowed
money. and a man named Clark has
similar paper for a like amount. In
addition to other smaller creditors
Meanwhile there Is a movement on
foot to hold a benefit for the wife and
child of the whole-hearted but purse
foolish little Napoleon OF the ring.
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27

in the Sunshine" arena than in any
other open-air pavilion ever construct
ed. and probably. in an inclosed struc-
ture for that matter. barring the old
Mechanics pavilion. which was des-
troyed by the fire OF April. 1906.
The ring was given its baptism OF
blood when Tommy Burns toppled over
Squires, the Australian ounce, In a
minute and half. on July 4. 1907.
Two months later another champion
ship battle was fought and a new
champion was made when Stanley
Ketchel, coming out OF comparative
obscurity, won the welter and middle
weight titles from Joe Thomas. after
one OF the most sensational fights ever
seen on the Pacific coast.
Jack johnson made his bow there
in November OF the same year. his un.
fortunate opponent being Jim Flynn,
who got a Job making meteorological
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27

observations in the eleventh round.
Then followed in rapid succession
fights between Squires and Jack
Twin" Sullivan. AL Kaufman and
Jack Twin" Sullivan, owen Moran
and Abe Attell, Ketchel and Mike
Twin" Sullivan. Britt and MacFar-
land. the two Gans-Nelson fights. the
two Ketchel-Papke fights, Papke-k Kelly
Jimmy Reagan-Monte Attell. Nelson
Hyland. Hyland-Leach Cross, Monte
Attell and frankie Nell, Young Cor
bett and Johnny Fryne. Johnson and
Kaufman and last OF all. the Jackson
Ketchel fight.
The arena nestles at the base OF one
OF the Coast range foothills and gained
the soubriquet Sunshine" from the
fact that although more than score
OF fights have been pulled OF there
in the open. ii has never rained on O
fight day.
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27

championship-took place in New
York. Sept. 25. 1908. in the game be-
tween New York and Cincinnati. And
the play, which followed the Merkle
episode. contained all OF the elements
of a baseball tragedy, as Merkle fig
ured in 1t, too.
New York could not count on the
protested game with Chicago on &C
count of the slowness OF the board OF
directors OF the National league, and
the Giants hardly expected they would
get the game after the pronounced
stand in favor of the umpire by the
president OF the National league.
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
This Started the Qev Of
John Heyd|er and tbbsfb

The owner OF the Brooklyns went
to Heydler's ONCE In New York with
complaint that Kna5e. af Philadel'
phia. had spiked Lennox. the Brook
lyn third haseman. The cut is 10 10
Is inches long and almost an inch
deep said Ebbetts.
81 will go over to Brooklyn and see
the wound, said Heydler. quietly.
What shouted the magnate. You
say am liar?'
According to report, he dashed out
OF the ONCE and ever since has clam
ored for Heydler's humiliation. IL is
also related that the alleged cash on
the leg OF Lennox never was offered
in evidence to anybody"
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
TWO DECADES OF CHAMPIONS

lsss-suiivan beat Kin Rchburg Miss
a
1S92-Corbett
han
City Purseab
fromF
N. Y. In worth overs
observation-disclosures a
retiring the
1903-Marvn knocked
Jenries refereed
leo6-Tommy defeated
Angeles and
traia before a estimated worth
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
NO NATIONAL LEAGUE
CLUB WANTS ABSTEIN
Worlds Champions First6asenan
Will Go Back to Minors, lts De-
finiteIy Announced.

Will Go Back TO Minors, lts De-
finiteIy Announced.
PITTSBURG, Penn, Dec. 27.-That
First-Baseman William Absteih OF the
worlds champions is to be sent back
to the minors, that every club IN both
the National and the American
leagues has waived claim to him. is
the announcement authorized by the
P1ttsburg club tonight. 1t Is also
said that 10 minor league clubs have
already put In bids for the services
of Abstein.
Jack Flynn, for whom Pittsburg has
paid $4,000 to st. Paul, will be placed
on first. This settles bitter dis
cussion that has been on since the
last games at Detroit over the attitude
of Manager Clarke toward Abstein.
II was reported and printed that
after Abstein, by his headless base
running. had lost Pittsburg's chance
to win the Thursday game at Detroit.
which would have given Pittsburg the
championship. that Clarke said 10 Abb
stein: You're a wooden head and
you'll never play another game with
Pittsburg" .
The Pittsburg club declares that
Abstein did not conduct himself prop
erly even before Pittsburg won the
National league championship, that
they have evidence OF one occasion
when he requested the privilege Of
going from Pittsburg TO his home In
st. Louis n day ahead OF the regular
team. that his conduct and dlssipa-
tion on the train was OF such a nature
as TO cause the Pennsylvania railroad
TO comnlain.
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
Sporting Notes

Edward Payson Weston will leave New
York for Los Angeles afoot, Jan 20
II IL surely time Go write the obituary
OF Bob Fitzsimmons At that he went
down with colors nying.
.
"sborty" Iongmnn's hne Italian hand
is observed in a new crop OF eligible
ity charges against Smith, watkins
proof is attached to the statements
not false on their face
The Saginaw board OF trade voted each
of the city's south Michigan cham
pIon team a sum OF $3.50. forwarded
to arrive on Christmas
teriaI, as well as half-dozen pro-
fessionals. now Detroit residents, are
training for the u. a. C.'s race meet
ing wednesday afternoon and even
ing.
BiII Armour Ia sheer desperation, IL
going to take the bench in Toledo
and run his team next year.
IL a. figured thnt about 1000 sknt play
era will visit Detroit In June. when
the national tournament is to take
place.
Revised National league pitching stat
istics give the leadership To Leever
of Pittsburg. with eight games won
and one lost. The real leader. how
ever. is either H. Camnitz. OF Pitts
burg with % won and lost, or
Christy Mathewson OF New York.
who stands at the same spot Adams
won IL and lost g.
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
1910 Sporting Annual.

T. 6. Andrews of Milwaukee. Wis.
sporting editor OF The Evening Wis
consin, has published his 1910 Sport
ing Annual Record Book. containing
records OF all the noted lighters, trot-
ting, pacing. running. bowling. attn
letic. baseball, automobile and also
aeroplane, etc. The book contains
many fine illustrations of the world 5
rrominent fighters and all the up-to-
date records. II is now the leading
Sporting Annual of the country
Copies can be had for IL cents by ad-
dressing the publisher.
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
'HE DAY GATHERED FOR THE DETRC
SYRACUSE WONDERS WHY
WORKS DIDN'T HIT EN-

Syracuse fans are puzzled as
TO why Ralph Works. OF the
Tigers, who pitched for the Salt
Lake City team I'm 1908. made
such a poor showing with the
bat In the American league last
season. Works, when In the
New York State League. used to
be demon hitter and was the
star swatter OF the Western
Canada League In 1907. having
an average of .a41. Those
figures are decidedly different
from Works .059 last season.
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
BOOKS BOUT AT MEMPHIS.
But Detroit Feather Would Like One
GaIIop Here Before Leaving.

Johnnie Pendergast. local bantam
weight. who fought Kid Sternbank 10
rounds To a draw. has return match
for January 80 in Memphis. Tenn, and
will start training at once. Pender-
CAST would like to meet any local boy
at 116 or 122 pounds for a side bet
OF $50 or more
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
Clarke Sells Field Covers.

Fred Clarke. the inventor of the
rubber cover for baseball diamonds.
has announced that he sold several
to major league clubs as a result or
conferences held with club officials in
New York last week Manager Clarke
intends to form a regular industry for
the manufacture Of the covers.
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
"Dopev EIdredge signs.

President Charles Moll, OF the Wis
consin-Illinois league, has signed his
complete stan OF umpires for 1910 as
follows: Frank Agur. c. E. Eldredge.
Geor8e Feye, J. s. Raphun, and John
Pollock. President MoIl intends TO
Keep one extra man through the sea-
son.
The Detroit times., 1909-12-27
Tim Wants Old Job Back.

NEW YORK, Dec. 27.-Umpire Tim
Hurst is trying for his old job in the
American league. In case his wire
pulling fails to net him anything, Pat
Powers will probably see him placed
with the Eastern league.