Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-19
RUSSELL PURCHASED ON DAY
HE WAS DRIVEN FROM MOUND
Youthful Pitcher Attracted Connie Mack's
Attention Under Difficulties, But the
TalManager Makes Few Mistakes.

PHILADELPHIA, March 16-Diamond
lore contains many absorbing tales: its
annals are fraught with stories that
arouse the deepest interest: its chapters
are filled with wit. humor. pathos and
sentiment. Hardly a recruit breaks into
the major leagues but that has some
story that adds to the enjoyment Of the
fan to read. Suficient for this brief state
siderable tons OF paper have been utilized
to tell Of the unerring judgment Of Connie
Mack In the selection OF youngsters.
His wfzardry In the choice OF rare tai
ent among the minors and In the col
leges has been the theme Of learned
theses and the basis Of poetry OF various
vintage. Most Of the stories are true;
all OF them are interesting. Here Is one
that Is brand-new. and deals with the
highest-priced youngster who ever broke
into fast company-Clarence Dixon Rus
sell, southpaw.
Almost Infallible Judgment.
Last summer the tones Of base ball
were enriched by recounting the deeds of
this lad. who smoked q blazing trail
through the Eastern League and finally
landed in the dragnet Of the tall Hogan.
Now the matter Of his purchase is not
such q very extreme story. although the
price paid. as said, was the highest ever
given for a minor league barter.
/ But as an illustration Of the infallible
judgment that Connie Mack possesses the
manner OF signing Russell is OF the
highest interest: For the day that he
bought the gallant southpaw was the
day that Russell was driven from the
box At Jersey City.
~
taken from the mound. pay the price that
Connie did for Russell. shows the reli-
ance that the great commander Of the
Mackmen places in his own estimate OF
players.
Russell Batted Out Of Box.
This occasion which marked a turning
point in the career Of Russell Is worthy
Of an amplified story. 1t was Sunday.
and the Baltimore team was engaged
with Jersey City. q tailender. mind you,
at that.
George Byers was catching for the
Orioles in place Of Ben Egan. who usu.
ally teamed with the southpaw. Rus
sell 10 stuck" on Ben: in fact states
that he is the best catcher In the East
ern League.
But. to return after the DEPRESSION
Byers was catching and not doing II
tween fast one and curve In monot-
onous regularity. His throwing was poor
and as a result Russell went into the air
and was pounded all over the lot. -
, Before he was taken OF the mound
the wise and foxy Connie went down to
the players bench and talked with Man
ager Jack Dunn. Take out Byers and
put in Ben Egan." suggested the world
champions leader.
This was DONE Immediately Russell
changed. but the damage was done and
he was yanked from the hurting hill.
But not a whimper out OF Connie about
the boy. Il want him." said Connie.
Dunn and Mack dickered. and on the
occasion when tail-end team batted the
southpaw out Of the lot he became the
biggest-priced barter in base ball
Russell's career reads like a novel OF
the diamond. He was born In Baltimore
twenty years ago. stands IN inch over
six feet and weighs 165 pounds when in
fettle. When he was q kid his folks
moved to that section Of tho Oriole city
known as the York road nsighborhood.
He learned the game like the rest OF