Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-08-06
SOME STORIES
FROM DIAMOND
Livingston Tells of His First
Experience as Major
Lacquer.
HARD TIME BREAKING IN
McAIeer Gives Him Chance With
Observation-Disclosures Poor Show
ing I'm First Game.
No. XVIII.
BY PAT LIVINGSTON.

BY PAT LIVINGSTON.
copyright, 1910. by American Press Asso
ciation.l
Did have easy sailing when 1 went
into the major leagues? Well, should
say not. AS 1 suppose you are aware
of the fact that nearly every youngsteI
who is drafted from the minor leagues
has a pretty tough time OF 1t with
the majority OF the old fellows, who
resent their admission. as they regard
the newcomer as. another evidence OF
the inexerable fact that sooner or later
sprfghtiy young man, full Of ginger,
will be called upon TO shove aside the
veteran whose hinges are growing
rusty and whose. arms have gone stale.
This Is my third time in the big
leagues, and 1 believe that at last
have succeeded or else would not be
on the payroll OF the Philadelphia club.
It was In 1901 that L was given my
first chance In the big circuit
had graduated from the Baehrs al
Scenic park to the ranks of the semi.
professionals, playing with the club al
Kent. Pitcher Bob Spade, now of the
Cincinnati Reds, was also a member
of the team. I happened to be a very
handy man with the stick and at times
was hammering the ball for keeps al
Kent when L received a hurry call
from Jimmy McAleer, manager of the
Cleveland team at that time. Then
thought that my future was assured
/ was very much, pleased at the chance
Of becoming regular on a major
league team and had visions of making
home runs with the bases filed in the
American league as well as throwing
out every man that tried 20 steal a
base on me.
will never forget my first expert.
ence in the big circuit. On my way
out to the ball park was all swelled
up at the thoughts of being a major
Lacquer. 1 reported to McAleer about
an hour before the game and, after
putting on uniform, went and sat
down on the bench. In my haste to
report neglected to- bring my baseball
shoes and consequently had tennis
shoes on my feet
Pretty soon McAleer came along and
said to me, Say. youngster, get out
and warm up one of my pitchers" 81
haven't any mitt,'' I replied. Huh
huhi Well, what do you think Of that;
No glove and expecting to play in the
American league" shouted Erve Beck
to Shelbeck, the two being seated on
the bench. Neither Joe Conner nor
Bobby Woods, who were the Cleveland
catchers at that time, offered to let me
use their gloves, and I'll tell you that
1 was good and mad then. az may be
sand lotter, but down in Kent we
never refuse TO loan our gloves" Nc
A1eer overhead my talk and then went
to look for an old mitt. l was so mad
that 1 started TO warm up one Of the
pitchers barehanded and also took my
turn at the plate when the fielding
practice was on without wearing a
glove, taking the throws of the infield-
ers regardless of min.
Started with Old Glove.
Finally McAlcpr appeared with an
old glove, discarded by one Of the reg
ular catchers, and told me that l was
slated TO do the receiving. I managed
to catch a pretty fair sort of a game,
but when it came to batting had my
troubles. Boston was the opposing
club. That was the year that team
won the pennant in the American
league. and 1t was going mighty
strong. odd Cy" Young was in the
box that day The first ball pitched
by Young came right near my head,
and in lodging it l. sat down. while
the players grinned. The next one
came in the path of the first. only
lower. This time did not dodge and
the ball hit me about midship and
the club was knocked from my hands.
Down 1 went again. this time for the
count. When l came to ran to first
base and the game proceeded.
The next time at bat l had one foot
somewhere near the plate and the 9th
er as close to the grand stand as 1
could get it. l never got my bat close
TO the pan to touch the ball, and
Young struck me out twice. l was
happy, though. l only struck out twice.
and Ed Cermack of the O'Conners.
whom McAleer also tried out that
summer. struck out four times in one
game, Bill Bernhard turning the trick,
OF course 1 had only two chances to
fan. but the fact remains Cermack
famed twice as many times as l did