The Washington times., 1910-03-15
J. DOOLITTLE HARDY
IS QUITE A TRAVELLER
Since Leaving Hiram College Our New Catcher Has
Had Lots of Ups and Downs---Prove
Versatile Player
Bv THOMAS S. RICE.

fore in the night time. so IL gave him
ticket back to Fort Wayne. with strict
injunctions 20 30 by daylight and re-
main after he got there. He had a
sneaking idea he was 20 be a pitcher
or trainer or something or the sort for
Fort Wayne, but 20 his amazement he
was put 70 catching. As he was a
catcher by trade he was immensely
Sratihed 20 lind somebody who rated
him as a ;oUrneyman in his chosen line
or endeavO--
In 1905 he laid off q year. spending
sOne OF the money ne had saved OLt OF
the expense allowances in his numerous
iaunts across the country.
The year 1870 saw him safely ensconced
as a catcher for Nashville in the South
err Learue. He remained with Nash
" e until August. 1907. when ne became
a Darty 10 q famous baseball mfx-up
with which j. Doolittle again had little
10 do. His worth had be bruited abroad
50 strongly that Charley Murphy offered
Nashville a whole battery and a bunch
Of money for our hero. The battery was
Catcher SeaDCugh, OF Montgomery.
These men belonged 20 MUrphys Chi
cago Nationals He had obtained Waiv-
evs on them 10 farm them 20 the minors
but neglected 70 arrange matters so
that he could con rOl them absolutely.
Hardy went 20 u-e Cubs and caught
two games for Murphy finding the trip
from Nashville 70 Chicago not al all
unpleasant and opening up a new
stretch Of country 10 him About the
time ne hSd gotten his Chicago Uniform
nice and SOiled 20 thd. he would not
look Ike a newcomer. the National
Commission gave e.. Webb Murphy one
Of its periodical and expensive swats
by declaring the whole deal for Hardy
illegal. and ordering all the players
back 70 where they belonged. Murphy
emitted one OF his characteristic and
futile bleats without which no base
bail week is complete, but this did not
save John ID. Hardy from return ride
10 Nashville He went by a different
road. but did not find the scenery SO
attractive as when on his way major
leagueward. Somehow the grass was
not so green and the twittering OF the
brides inspired no poetry in his soul.
Signs With Nationals.
Before the season OF 1893 Nashville
sold J. d. Hardy - Mobile, where he
backstCpped i'm gUOf form until June
In mat month foul tip broke a small
bUne IN MS right arm just below his
elbow. The Mobile management Of
fered 10 keep him on the salary roll but
ne asked fo- and received an outright
release. He signed with Washington
in July, but could not work until Au-
gcst, when he came 20 the rescue Just
vusn CantillOn decided 70 release Nike
kaboe and Cliff Bldnkenship- Outside
or having MS IIum0 udu split three
times he led a happy and unevsntful
career with washington He was ni;:esI
pleased with the night trip fror,i Wash
ingtou 20 Norfolk by boat, and would
like 10 take n back m the daytime, but
IS perfectly willing 10 50 in the dark.
he Will 60, all right
j. Doolittle has been doing right sma-
well in practice here His batting was
nothing extraordinary last season, but
he was a noted sluEger in the minors,
and II he gets an opportunity 10 work
regularly he should slap the ball salts
faLtoTily in the American League. He
has a laugh like a Tube at a burieSque
show and is always the life Of the
smoking compartment when ne IS be-
ing shunted from one club 10 another.