The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-02-05


echo In the heart of many an old time
follower of the, game. 4}
First of all, suppose, It'll is incum-
bent on me to give some reasons for
my belief. To begin with, why should
the players of today be any better
Are they made of any different flesh
and blood? Are they possessed of more
natural intelligence? DO they strive
harder? Do they train more faithfully?
Have they keener eyesight or more
courage? Can they run faster or. throw
farther? These are attributes which do
not change in generation or two SO
that the difference, il any, depends up
on other considerations.
OF course, there is great deal more
of fancy, one -handed work nowadays
than formerly, and fielding averages
are better, but I believe this is entire
ly attributable to the big gloves now
worn by all inflelders. When began
to play ball not such thing as glove
was heard of, even the catchers being
without any protection whatever, by
glove, mask or pad. Later glove. for
the catcher was evolved; then the. first
baseman followed along, and finally
about 1881 80, few Of the infielders
adopted the Irwin glove. But this was
trifiing affair as compared to the
modern pillow.
Ewing Was King of Catohers.
Coming down to individuals. let me
run over the names OF a few of the old
time favorites: Beginning with the
catchers. Buck" Ewing was the best
all round man that ever put on q mask
He had happy disposition that was
seldom ruffied, knew every twist and
angle of the game, could whip ball
like lightning to any base and got
everything out of his pitchers there was
in them. His signaling and throwing to
bases kept the whole field wide awake
and on tip-toe; and he could Jolly"
the spectators cajole an umpire or
good naturally kid" an opposing bats
man with equal success And as ar
inside man. as hitter, base runner and
run getter, especially when it was most
needed, there were few better men in
the country.
Killing is a splendid catcher, and Glib
son did great work last season, but
neither of them are in Ewing's class.
But good as he was. there were others
who. regarded solely as catchers,
pressed Ewing hard. Robinson, of the
old BaItimores was a grand catcher, as
good as, or better, than any man of to-
day; and If you don't believe it, ask
McGraw or Hughey Jennings or Ed
Hanlon OF Joe Kelley. teammates of
his, who are still in close touch with
the game -.
Praise For Charley Bennett,
Then there was Charley Bennett. who
caught day in and day out and was a
veritable stone wall behind the bat, and
could throw TO second like a rifle shot.
And what about old Silver Flint. who
took his medicine day after day, CATCH
ing in turn at the fortX-fiye foot dis
lance such speed as was handed him
| by 1.-The Only Nolan, Teddy Larkin,
! Jim Mccormick. Larry Corcoran and
! Fred Goldsmith? Why, even back OF
that set. Charley Snyder was turning
! tricks behind the bat that. some of the
| present day ca tchers have never yet
| learned. g.. t#-t.. r.E e.'. --sN s ~ s.
Among pitchers John Clarkson was
as finished ais Mathewson is today, and
l realize fully the nature of that, state
ment. Amos Rusie had more average
speed than any one ever saw because
! his curve was as fast as his fast ball;
and he was ready and willing to go in
three days a week. But the greatest
Of them all vas Radbourne.
He was not as graceful as Clarkson,
nor as speedy as Rusie, and, indeed,
some days he seemed to have little, II
anything. At times he pitched moth
| ing but straight" balls. and again only
slow curves. always saving himself
when he could. But when the situa-
tion required, ne could tighten up and
make the ball dance. -,5 ~..t