The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-02-07
O'ROI RKE
4 STAR
KICKER.

| A STAR younger man and
KICKER is going to give the
- Bridgeport. n. Y,
bugs an opportunity of seeing a
youngster behind the bat for the
league team. awakened in the breasts
of the older generation OF baseball
fans the recollection OF these days in
the early eighties when O'Rourke. at
the head of the Buffalo club. was
regular visitor in Detroit.
Jim O'Rourke was the king OF all
the old-time kickers," said Joe Weiss
when the veterans name was men
toned. He was a big man and he
had no respect for the umpires. He
ran his team in tones that could be
heard in the next block and was in-
partial in handing them packages, II
they failed 10 deliver the goods. As
for the umpires. Jim had no respect
for any OF them, much less fear.
The Buffalo club was playing at
the Detroit park one day and had the
bases full in a close game. with the
end OF the pastime very near, and the
Detroits a run or two 10 the good.
have forgotten who the batter was.
AT any rate the Detroit pitcher was
using everything he had. They bat
tied along until il was up TO the last
pitched ball to see whether the man
hit. struck out or walked The bali
was pitched bit on the outside. The
halter let it go and the umpire de-
clared him out on strikes.
"O'Rourke came tearing up to the
plate, mad all through.
What do you mean by robbing
my team OF this game? he roared at
the umpire. Why you're not only
robbsr but you're a burglar and
porch-climber Take II kindly from
me that | don't put you out OF bust
ness right now. I would II IL wasn't
for the presence OF these ladies and
gentlemen. That ball was two feet
wide Of the plate and you know IT,.
THAT settled the arbitrator and
O'Rourke directed his attention TO the
ball player.
"'You poor, insignificant shrimp,
he yelled. what were you doing when
that ball came along TO you, waist
high. over the plate and as big as a
balloon Why, in the name OF all
that is good and true and beautiful
didn't you take a smash at It? say
something! For Gawds sake tell me
why! Did you ever have better
chance TO win a game|
AT this stage Jim turned around TO
see what effect his remarks had had
on the bystanders. The Detroit CLUB
members were bowling with glee. OF
course. and as many of the crowd as
were within earshot-and that includ-
ed most Of the 1000 or so on deck
were laughing too.
'It was the first and only time |
ever heard a manager kick on an UNI
pire's Judgment, and then call down
a ball. player for failing to act as II
the umpire had been right. Nobody
hut Jim ORourke could have ever
pulled off such a stunt"
After all. those $50 extra cops may
come in handy. Jack Johnson VIII be
In town FOR a whole week.
Kid Lavigne and Joe Walcott in
theater bout! Doesn't that bring back
some memories 10 the bugs of 10 or so
years ago?
So long as Ad Wolgast, OF Cadillac,
Mich, keeps signing from Milwaukee,
where he boxed his first important bat
ties. he absolves his native state from
taking more than a passing interest IN
his coming bout with Battling Nelson
The chances are that AID will get his
hot and heavy.
Other Tigers may winter In com
parative peace and quiet but lyTns
Cobb and Charlie Schmidt need no
press agents TO keep the world aware
OF their existence.
There are some score or so of base
bali writer's who won't care bit II the
snow we are getting now Is what we
have been accustomed 70 experience
around April 20.