The Detroit times., 1911-02-22
HUGHES
DAD NOT
IMMUNE

DAD NOT IalO CndIhClei iSN
IMMUNE some OF those VINO
knew him to as
sert, several years ago. that he nad
kidded the Tigers into the belief tnat
they were a champion baseball ciuo'
thereby astounding the world win
the result. This theory has since
been marketed at a greatly reduced
value, due TO the fact that the Tiges
I twice repeated the .pennant-winnins
performance, all kidding aside.
\ So much for the reputation OF the
ruddy little Napoleon as strate Slst
OF humor. Now for the instance.
I When Hughie was starring at short
stop for the champion Baltimore
Orioles. his venerable father, now
dead. used TO be a stalwart support
ar of that club. Quite often he came
to watch the games played by Balti-
more In Philadelphia and Pittshurg,
Once he made trip to Baltimore.
The old gentleman sent word from
Ayoca that he was coming. His train
arrived Just before the days pastime
was due 10 commence. SO Hughie ar
ranged with Tommy Murphy, then
the groundkeeper at the Baltimore
park, to meet Jennings, ST., and get
him TO the game.
( "I met the Mr.. Jennings and took
him TO a quiet place where | bought
him a sandwich" recalls "Murph. Il
7 tried to get him to wash II down with
a glass OF beer, as Hughie had told
me TO. That was the first part OF the
Joke, for the old gentleman was a
total abstainer and felt terribly In
suited. l apologized, and made up
my mind TO get even with Hughie.
Then took Mr.. Jennings to the ball
yard and got him q chair right behind
the Baltimore bench and separated
from II only by a low railing. The
old gentleman knew all the players
and was right at home.
"Hughie then made II up with Tim
Hurst. who was umpiring, to get HIM
self bounced from the game, along
about the sixth inning, so that he
wouldn't have to keep his father wait
ing after the game was over.
well the plan went through all
right. Baltimore was five or six runs
ahead along in the sixth or seventh
inning and Hughie beefed himself
blue In the face over a strike TIM
called on him. They had the usual
argument and finally Tim, just to
make II look good. chased Hughie on
the field, calling him dirty little
red-headed Irish rat.
"The players were all In on 1t and
you'd have laughed to hear them re-
peat Hurst's remark in horror-strick-
en- tones. Mr.. Jennings simply boiled.
Hnghie went to the club house.
"A minute later Hurst came over
to the Baltimore bench for drink
and spied Mr.. Jennings. They were
old friends Hurst used often to visit
at the Jennings home.
why, how are you, Mr.. Jenningsr
said Tim, as he reached over to shake
hands.
"The old gentleman didn't say
word, but he had heavy cane in his
hand and he Just larruped Tim over
the head with II, nearly knocking him
down. Tim got away as best he could.
with the old gentleman Safeguarding
him at terrific rate while the play
ers nearly fell of the bench.
.'Of course, Tim understood 1t all.
Often after that he begged Hughie TO
go to the front for him, and explain
the situation. but Hughie never would.
He'd Just tell Tim to keep out of the
way OF the fathers cane and then he'd
grin. And every time the old gentle
man asked about Hurst, Hughie would
get highly indignant and recall the
incident his father has seen as a true
line on the character of the black
hearted wretch who really has al
ways been one Of Hughes best
friends"
Well, Detroit may have a better
catcher after Charlie Schmidt gets
through with his fight, providing his
opponent is real pug and knows
something about the game.
While we're at IT, why not ma,rn
Schmidt and Kid Sheer for the -
troit white-hope title, and let Willie
Campbell challenge the winner?
The present attitude OF naughty
aloofness shown by the millionaire
racing contingent, toward the book
makers, Is amusing when one recalls
the pleasant team work done by the
two parties at the public expense five
seasons or so ago.
Champ Clark tells US that the
Johnson-Jeffries fight was fake. Now
let Johnson tell us what he thinks of
reciprocity and the symposium will
be complete.
Joe Jackson makes the fine point
that the Baseball Writers association
can't afford to endorse an automobile
advertising scheme, but that the mem
bers can vote as individuals. He will
have tough time getting an argu-
ment on that score.
BALL MAY BREAK IN.