Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-05-19


nined and kindly, but his words struck
home with lots OF force He pointed
out to me that my conduct was dis.
honest and would be regarded so by
the public. In fact, he made me no
ashamed OF myself that | have been
pretty careful over since to fight shy
OF shady transactions | couldn't
help feeling sad over the $50 that
didn't get, but afterward when came
to think II all over, was glad that |
had failed Getting rid Of that hair
dye and keeping the affair from be-
coming public property were altogeth-
or different matters
shall never forget my hrst expert,
ence in my now position had been
at Rockford only a day or 80 when |
was ordered TO report at the ball
grounds for practice It WAS early In
tho spring and so chilly that an over
coat was a necessity | found when
rsRcnod tne grounds that my ability
az q batsman was going to be tested
and as | took my stand on the plate |
shlvered as though was coming
down with the ague II wasn't all due
to the cold either, stage fright was
responsible for part OF It. Don't for
get, please, that was only a big kid,
stranger in strange land, and that
| was 80 anxious to make first good
impression that was almost power.
less
Facing me, with a sardonio look on
his weather beaten face, was "Chero-
keo" Fisher, a man OF whom | had al,
ways stood in the greatest awe, one OF
the bost Of the old time underhand
pitchers In the stand we're the direct.
ors OF the team, who we're taking In
with an eagle eye my every move.
ment II was O trying position for a
greenhorn, and I could feel my knees
knock together remember | had
some trouble in picking out bat that
suited me was wondering all tho
time whether or not should be able
70 hit the ball Finally gave the
signal to let her 80 and Fisher began
sending them in with his customary
speed
| began by letting a couple go by.
Then sent one out into the right
Geld, and that frst hit put me square
on my feet After that batted Fisher
40 successfully that everybody was
satisfied and was informed that I
would DO didn't know It at the
time, but IN after years learned that
the hit 70 the right held fence was
considered the proper caper
Ny hrst game as a professional was
played on the Rockford grounds in
1871 our opponents being tho Forest
City team OF Cleveland, O.. a strong
organization that finished fourth that
season on the list for championship
honors, the Athletics OF Philadelphia,
with whom | was to play Tor the fol.
lowing four years. carrying Of the
prize don't mind telling you that
when that game began was fright,
ened almost ont OF my shoes had
been informed at the last minute that
owing 10 the non.arrival OF our regular
catcher would We expected to MI the
place, something in which had had
little experience We we're beaten by
score Of ~ to I, but had the salts.
faction OF knowing chat played a
fairly good game
After that initial game WAS never
nervous over baseball ! settled down
70 play steady game, and at the
close OF the season led the tOam
both In batting and fielding learned
more Of the world and tia inhabitants
that season than had ever known be
fore We travelled all over the east
and west, and Il was moro instructive
TO mo than all the schooling | had
syer had made lots OF friends al
over the country and some OF them
were OF great service 70 me In after
days We we're treated very we'll by
the club managers, travelling In sleep
Ing cars and stopping at good hotels
That was long before ball players had
learned 10 demand the use OF the
bridal suite on their travels. and We
did not grumh'e at two IN a berth
Continued In tomorrows paper.