The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-01-14
TENNIS
WRESTLING
RACING
BOXING

most uniform.
| 1t has not been confined to boxing
! but has been repeated in all lines of
sport. The rust that accumulates dur
ing a layoff seems to eat into the
heart of a mans fiber. and no matter
how valiant may be the spirit, the
body never stands up to- the test.
Amos Rusie was one of the great
est pitchers that ever threw ball. He
had terrific speed. and when he was
at the zenith of his powers with New
York and Indianapolis nobody could
Go much with his curves.
Rusie's Case Cited.
Amos got into salary disagree
ment with the owners of the New
York club He declined to sign at the
figure they offered. and announced that
lather than do SO he would quit the
game. His bluff was called, the fig-
rres were not raised, and he had to
stay outside the breastworks. For one
year he did not play ball.
The breaking of his regular regime
Of work that compelled him to keep
in good shape, caused Rusie to relax
Just enough to throw him off MS
stride He did not do great deal or
| destination. but he did enough 10
cause more flesh to accumulate on his
| already generous frame.
When the next season came, Rusles
quarrel was patched up, and he re-
ported for duty. He had only been OUT
for one season, he was in the prime or
his years athletically. and when he
started his lay-off he was conceded ~
be the best pitcher in the country.
Bur he never came back The resi-
had done the business for him, and he
did not last out the season.
Joe Corbett's Same Fate.
Joe Corbett brother of Jim Corbett
the former champion heavyweight or
the world, is another good instance OF
the pitcher who couldn't come back.
In the earlier COS Joe was one OF
The mainstays of the great Baltimore
team. He helped them win number
of championships, and was regarded
as a very skilled twirler.
Joe quit the game figuring that he
could make more money in other lines
but the financial returns failing to be
what he had expected he decided to
Llay baseballs again, and was eagerly
grabbed up by the st. Louis Nationals.
The first dav he tried to pitch after
many years out of the game he walked
the first six men who faced him. His
control was hopelessly gone and after
short trial he was released.
Other Gases In Baseball.
Again last year he made another
try in California, but it was the old
story With the layoff his skill had
departed, and although still a young
man as a matter of years. the athletic
prowess has entirely departed
Mike Donlin was out last year. and
it is not believed in New York that he
|
the game he was in the days of his
prowess.
One of the great ball players OF the
late sos, and early '90s had been Matt
Kilroy. the southpaw twirler of the
Boston American association, and the
Boston Players league teams.
nd ia
him the dread of all batsmen, especial
lv those who hit from the left-hand
side of the home plate
KIroy a Good Example.
While still young in years kk-oy
quit the game.
When Fran, Selee went to Chicago
to take charge of the team there it
occurred to him that for the sake or
his batting Kilroy might still have
value, and he decided to give him
trial. Kilroy reported in fine condi-
ton and in practice he shower pIen-
tv of promise, but it was only the
| fash in the pan, for when put to the
|
the oldtime skill was entirely gone.
Kilroy Couldn't come back.
| Tod Sloan is another great case or
| the same thing Sloan was undeniably
the greatest jockey of his day. After
winning undying fame in his own
| country he went to England and to
France, and there with his new mount
bis system of riding on the horses ears
J almost shook the traditions of rid
| ing and forced many native jockeys
| to copy his methods.
Sloan was a born sport. He liked
| good clothes he loved attention: he
| was responsive to the bubbling grape.
| Careless habits led him into trouble