The Washington herald., 1911-06-18
WHAT BECOMES OF
ATHLETIC PHENOMS

What becomes OF the phenomsT' is a
question often heard In athletic circles,
and the answer Is not hard to find Sue
cess has ruined the career Of many a
man in athletics as well as In business
and the professions. ....
We often hear of a baseball player
gathered from the bushes by some eagle
eyed scout who brings a record price.
For the next few weeks the recruit
picture adorns the sporting pages. while
the scout tells Of his great record and
what he will do to the Cobbs. Crawfords,
and the rest of the major leaguers. About
half the time that Is the last time the
phenom's picure appears In print. He
sets his first trial and "a little pun of
smoke and then goodnight" He either
gets the sweli-head, begins to dissipate.
or does some other foolish stunt and Is
sent back to the bushes. II he has In
telligence enough to profit by the ex-
perience and TO realize that no matter
how much OF a wonder he is.z that he
needs every BIT of his strength end q
cool and clear head, he may come back:
but IL he don't, and lays the blame on
the managers instead Of on himself,
where II rightly belongs, IT'S more than
an even break that he win be back In
the village whence he came in a short
time, brilliant career ruined by lack Of
discretion.
The same rule applies to all branches
OF athletics, track, field. and all.
Every town has had fits boxer who has
had a mushroom growth, meeting all
comers and disposinG Of them In one.
two, three order, until he IL called the
''Knock-'em-out-kid'' or some other high
sounding name. He begins to think him.
self invincible. hits the high spots. and
then every dub he meets beats him.
Every athlete needs 20 lead clean,
simple life. II he ever expects to ex-
eel at anything. The records of history
make this an indisputable fact.
Track athletes are no exception to this
rule, especially the very young athletes
Of this branch.
Smoking, while in itself is not a vicious
habit, Is certainly detrimental to young
athlete, In that II is sure to impair his
wind -
Last Saturday, in the Junior meet Of
the Southern division OF the A. A. u,
there appeared a number Of schoolboys
and several Of them were point winners.
These boys at present look to be coming
athletes Of the front rank, and II they
are not It will be their own fault.
One OF these prospective champions,
appeared on the track smoking q long
cigar while he basked In his newiy-sc-
CURED glory.
After the meet. stiIl another was found,
clamIy pufflng a cigarette.
Neither Of these boys appeared to be
more than eighteen years OF age. Both
have excellent chances Of becoming cham
pions, but not by the nicotine route.
Older athletes might do well by set
ting an example TO these youngsters.
even though tobacco hasn't tbs same ef-
feet on q matured man that it has on
a boy, still undeveioped.
It Isn't a dificuit matter for these
youngsters to .'cut out the weed" It's
probable that they care little for the
pleasure they derive, but smoke TO ape
their elders. II they only knew II. they
would gain more glory and satisfaction
In defeating these same elders In COM
petition on the field and track by clean
living than In any other way. but It's
hardly worth while TO write about
Youth win have it's ding, end viii only
realize the damage wrought after It 10
too late.