The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-28


Rowe was shortstop with the De
tToit Worlds champions in 1887.
when that club defeated the st. Louis
Browns, for the title Rowe was then
In the limelight with Hardie Rich
ardson, Jim. White and Dan Brouth-
ers.
News of Rowe's death will be re
,ceived with regret by thousands OF
residents of Detroit and Michigan.
Rowe came to Detroit as the result
of the purchase by local sportsmen
of the entire Buffalo Baseball club
of the National league, In midseasoE
1855. The purpose was the bolster
ing up OF the Detroit club and Rowe
was one OF the four players shifted
to this city Immediately after the
change. The other three men were
Hardie Richardson, left field Dan
Brouthers, first base, and Deacon
White, third base, the quartet goin6
down into history as the Big Four. ;"
The Detroiters who subscribed
their money for the deal were Fred
erick X. Stearns, James l.. Edison.
Judge f. l.. Durfee, Joseph NJ. Weiss,
4 John b. Mahoney, Mr.. Smith who
was at the time a shoe merchant,
and one other whose name none Of
the living members 10 the transac-
ton can recall. The club spent $22,-
500 in strengthening the team and in
improving Recreation park on Brady
ST.
The Detroits of 1886, made ter
'rific bid for the pennant but were
beaten by Philadelphia In the closing
strides OF the race. There was no
denying them in the following sea-
sou, however, and they won not only
the National league championship but
also captured the worlds title by
trimming the st. Louis club Ameri.
can Association champions, then cap
tanned by no less a person that Chas:
Comiskey.
At the close of the season the club
dis banded, the honor won being
about all the management had to
show for the venture, aside from
considerable indebtedness.
The old Detroits won the reputl.
fion of being the greatest batting
team OF history In the terrific slug
gng of the eventful season In which
the worlds championship was won.
Looking back on the work OF that
team" said Joe Weiss, one OF the
owners who could be reached Friday,
1T seems to me as II Rowe was real
~ the greatest batsman OF them all.
In those days We used TO give Brouth-
ere more of the glory but don't be.
lieve he deserved a bit higher place
than Rove.
Jack was left.handed hitter but
turned round and hit right-handed
against the left.hand pitchers, as
Bush does He was equally good at
either style. He hit them hard and
far, and q beauty OF his work at bat
was his ability TO hit to either field.
= LAS a fielder Rowe was accurate AMI
almost infallible, though he covered
very. little ground aside fer the posi-
ton where he happened to be stand
ing"
Like most OF the Detroit cham
pions OF that day. Rowe's habits wero
good and he left baseball with a com
Portable competence, a large share
OF which, however, was lost in specu-
lation in Buffalo real estate. For
many years he kept cigar store in
Buffalo. His connection with baseball,
terminated abruptly soon after he
left Detroit
Sam Thompson and Charlie Ben
nett. members of the team with Rowe
-tr-tif--trefla.S- championship
and now residents OF Detroit. mourn.
ed sincerely when told OF his death.
Both had known. however, OF his
serious illness which had been in pro.
eress for several months.