The Washington herald., 1911-01-15
By WILLIAM PEET.


Nationals last June upon the recommen-
dstion of Walter johnson. and who was
stricken with infantile paralysis during
midseason. writes from his home. in
far-away California, that he is sure
coming back in 1872
Poor Hinrichs. The youngster had
about as tough a time Of it the first
year out as any ball player who ever
pried his way into the big league.
Confined to a hospital room from Au-
gust until October, robbed Of the pleas
ure of seeing his friends because the
disease was said to be contagious. he
was shipped back to California with
Pitcher Dolly Gray, a doctors verdict
hanging over his head to the effect that
he would !never again be able to play
ball
Hinrichs right side and arm were COM
pletely paralyzed. He yielded but slowly
to treatment, and had to be carried to the
train. Upon reaching home in Orange.
Cal. his native climate did wonders, and
he was soon able to get around>on tri-
cycle. In his letter to the writer Hin
richs states that he has discarded his tri-
cycle, and now uses a bicycle. He also
adds pathetically: I've got the johnson
protege wind-up now, but that's all
there's nothing on the ball.
The writer happened to be in Boston
with the Nationals last June. Hinrichs
was with the team and saw the Hub for
the first time in his life. He was inn
pressed with everything but the crooked
streets in the downtown district, where
the boys strolled one morning. apd side
stepped the youngster to see if he could
find his way back to the hotel.
Hinrichs confded to Bob Unglaub that
he wandered around for two hours before
: he could get his bearings. why didn't
on ask a policeman" suggested Bob. Il
never thought of that" vouchsafed the
pitcher.
tion, and is confident that in 1872 he will
be able to play ball again. -r- ..-
The passing of Matty Mcintyre marks
the final break Of what was one of the
greatest outfields in baseball. With Nc
Intyre in left, Crawford IN center, and
Cobb in right. the Tigers when they won
three pennants possessed the greatest
set of gardeners in the business. For
general all-around effectiveness the
equal of this combination did not exist
in latter-day baseball. The trio had
everything that goes to make up a proper
outfield but in baseball you don't last
forever, SO the combination was broken.
In hts prime Mcintyre was regarded as
the greatest throwing outfielder in the
major leagues. His claim to that title
was disputed by only one man, Joe Bir-
mingham, and their relative merits al
ways was a matter of great dispute Nc
Intyre possessed the rare accomplish
ment of throwing left-handed without
the nasty curve and bad bounce that
characterizes most men who toss from
Washington. D. C.. January II. 1911.
Sporting Editor Washington Herald.
Dear Sir: 1 hare been a follower of the national !
game for number Of years and have endeavored to
be keen observer: have Concluded that il will be
q dark day when such teams Cleveland ST. Louis |
and Washington win pennant. The E,ay be |
said Of the three tail-end National Leasue teams
Nov. my point is this. would it not be a treat To
the fans who su2pHt the game m one-team cities
to nave every club in both circuits play post season
games eacnfaus
Let the teams that finish second. third fourth
and 50 on in each league hattie for supremacy and |
dare say It would inc.te great interest among |
fans who have never seen National League teams in
action 1t would also h. fine thing for players
like Laioie. johnson, Milan. and other stars VINO
win probably never share worlds series money.
Trusting that you VIII publish this letter. in the
hope that club owners and the ppxers-that-he will
and rooter for the Nationals OLD FAM
This idea has been suggested before
and possibly some time in the future the
'powers-that-be" vii! see the thing
through.
Says the Cleveland Leader: One Of the
baseball problems that has never been
settled to everybody's satisfaction has to
do with the exact liability of the owners
OF ball club for the damage that is
Done now and then by the balls that fly
from the bats of the players-foul flies
into the stands, home-run drives into the
overflow crowds in the outfield, or over L
the fences into the houses or stores of
nearby residents. Some queer claims
have been made for damages of this
kind
In the upstairs room Of a house in
Columbia avenue. in Philadelphia. one
day about nine years ago. a servant girl
was polishing a costly pier glass when
ball from Ralph Seybold's bat came
crashing through the front window of
the room and shivered the mirror into
fragments. The owner OF the l,
house happened to be faithful rootef i,
lor the Athletics, and so. in settling his
claim with Connie Mack he charged
oniy for the mirror and paid for the new
lront window out of his own pocket.
One day on the Lexington avenue /,
In Cleveland, Shortstop Ed Nc
kean was st bat with the bases fun.
Four baseball writers leaned over the /,
ront rail- OF the press box and chirruped
n chorus: Amt 1t about time You nit
me over the fence? Mexican evidently b
hought u was. Almost simultaneous Z
Nth the crack Of his bat AGAINST the
all came the sound Of crashing Riaas.
rhe next day the owners Of the CIeve-
and club paid glasier's hin for putting
big pane Of glass In the window Of 4
rouse ON the south side q Lexington
venue. - - 7---'>e- q |
n Chicago years ago there was I ear-
1aee entrance to one Of the ball parlpL ~
leeny Patrons a. the snort ~ tha | {
nNDs b those days from the sa6ep-culh.
eqee eoats of thelr own voh1c3os. o. .
~ > deg dttipg bea1Ae bis mngtsr 4 - | !,
- eerrlaee n 4oep center 80 - !
|lyled ~ bot1e h3f On tn fofo16 = - =
~ kel sFp9s AaoqlsS = ~. ~ 6SISs. I :