The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-12-11

fully thought out beforehand and de-
veloped TO a science.
Get started by passes, was one OF
the old Orioles carefully worked out
methods, and, as McGraw's ability to
get passed by the four-ball route az
ter having fouled of all the good
ones resulted in laws penalizing fouls,
so Jennings recognized way OF get
ting started led to the rule that the
batter shall not be allowed TO take
first base when hit by the pitcher, UNI
less he has yisibly made all possible
effort to get out of the way OF the
ball.
But jennings could work hts little
scheme unmolested In those days The
rule simply said that In case a pitch
er hit a batsman, the batsman be-
came a base-runner But "Hughie"
was ever an artist in everything he
did. He knew how to insinuate his
person between the ball and the catch
er's hands so delicately that though
the umpire might have suspicious,
even had the rule OF today been in
vogue at that time. II is doubtful IL
any malice aforethought" could have
been proved on him.
Jennings had his hips and the up
per part of his limbs well padded, but
for all that the big bruises made by
contact with the speedy shoots kept
him black and blue during the entire
season. Strange TO say, he was never
seriously injured until Rusie hit him
in the head with pitched bali at
the Polo grounds and nearly killed
him.
But for all Jennings ability to get
passed to first. he could hit-after
Manager HanloR- had taught him how
Before coming TO Baltimore he was
easy for the pitchers. Manager Han
Ion changed that He became abso-
lutely fearless at the bat, and one OF
the most dangerous batters for the
pitcher to have come up.
During the Is years that he played
bali his grand average was 1908,
coupled with 410 stolen bases, 22S sac
rifice hits and a countless number
OF passes" Is II any wonder that
Jennings was named "Hughie the Hit
title" by George v. Hobart, who at
that time was newspaper man in
Baltimore?
Strenuous, keen on everything per-
tanning to the science of baseball,
sturdy OF frame, II is little wonder
that "Hughie" became a kicker OF
kickers. Milder in manner than Nc
Graw, less given to abuse. yet he man
aged to let the umpire know that he
was in the game, and his ffeeklee
would fairly blaze and his auburn hair
stand sitter while he was having his
say.
In the real old days, before educa-
tion and contact with the world had
rubbed off the ruggedness. "Hughis'
was more forcible than polite, and his
Opening up" In baseball terms, on
the field savored of the back lot. The
difference later in all things Is indi-
Gated by his 81 have it, when COM
rade would hesitate about certain
play. Other players might yell cit
C1t, youse," or Use got it," but
Hughes" 81 have IT. has since be-
come the standard OF the gentleman
ly player.
Jennings Is one of those players
who command respect because they
made their ability to play ball the
means OF rising In the intellectual
and social scale. Uncouth, ignorant,
when he first appeared on the scene
here, he began at once attending st.
Bonaventure college with McGraw be-
tween playing seasons, but, unlike
McGraw. he was not content with the
rudiments OF an education. The foun-
dation was TO him but a foundation;
and he intended to raise upon ii a
croditable building. II is probable that
the influence OF Harry Taylor, whose
message of sympathy with among
those received by Jennings within the
past few days. He came TO Baltimore
from Louisville with Hughie and turn
ed his attention toward the law and
he began his course at the Univers-
ity Of Maryland. Later he had the
chance to make his baseball still avail
able. and he matriculated at the Cor
nell law school. where he was gradu-
ated. Harry Taylor. incidentally, is
a Judge at Buffalo.