El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-07-08

hans regime, the Cardinals Jared rath-
er poorly, though not as badly as in
previous years. Bresnahan lacked the
material, and the shrewdest manager
in the world can do nothing with q
team of crude players. But Bresnahan
were real ball players. And he formed
a nuclueus Of this trio, and built his
team around them. He picked up new
players right along. until now he has
about the youngest aggregation OF pas
timers IN the game.
Calculations Upset.
Toward the close OF last season, the
mould had been cast. The team played
harmoniously and showed q fine squirt
at the windup. But still, experts per-
sisted in placing the Cardinals among
the basement occupants in the National
organization this year. Their calcula-
lions have been rudeiy upset, as the
records will attest The Cardinals
boast g. percentage Of over 800. the
first time in many years that they have
been up SO high in their rating at this
stage of the race.
All credit IS due 70 Bresnahan for
making the National league race five
team affair. He is enc OF the few play
ers that have branched out as success
full managers. Bresnahan Is still very
much in the game and his heavy stick
work and brain work have rsaped their
just regards. Bresnahan is brainy,
aggressive and snappy player. He Is a
keen student Of the game. besides be-
ing versatile at the bat and on the
bases Bresnahan has succeeded so
well that there is talk that he will
become owner OF the club before anoth-
er year.
Great as Catcher.
Bresnahan will ever be looked upon
as one Of the greatest catchers In the
game He helped bring a couple Of
league banner and a worlds cham
pionship to New York while a member
of the Giants In 1907, when the Giants
were going bad and it was alleged that
McGraw was not particularly anxious
about the welfare of his team, Bresna-
han was reported as about to become
manager Of the Giants. This report
created quite q stir in baseball circles
for a time. The rumor that he was to
become a manager looked good to
Bresnahan, and from that time on he
yearned to manage ball club. His
ambition was realized on December IL,
1908, when he was shipped to ST. Louis
in a gigantic triple deal in which St
Louis. New York and Cincinnati were
concerned. Bresnahan went to ST. Louis
in return for catcher Schlei, outfielder
Murray and pitcher Raymond. Schlei
was acquired By the Cardinals from
the Cincinnati club in exchange for
pitchers Karger and Lush. Bresnahan
also received a block of stock before
assuming the managerial reins, and he
was signed up for three years for S25,-
000. Bresnahan's contract expires at
the end OF this season. What Roger in
tends to do when his time is up. no one
knows But it is certain he can have
anything he wants, so long as it Is
within reason.
The late Stanley Robson, owner Of
the Cardinals. thought so much OF
Bresnahan that the outset Of the 1903
season he insured the sta- catcher man
ager for a term Of five years. on
$50. 600 policy The tax was $1,000 per
annum.
Lives Down Amnesty.
Bresnahan went along swimingly for
half Of the 1909 season. and then things
began to happen to him. His team was
shot to pieces and they offered but fee
BILE resistance in their games. In Oc-
tobcr. the ST. Louis fans displayed open
dislike for Bresnahan and not few
recommended his removal 1t was al
legged that he abused his players. Not
only that. but 1t was said he srubbed
friends and wei1-wishers. But Bresna-
han has lived down this animosity OF
the Cardinals fans until now they ac-
tually worship him.
In June, 1907, Bresnahan was al
most fatally injured by q pitched ball.
Andy Coakley, now with the Yankees.
delivered the wild throw and the ball
struck Bresnahan behind the left ear.
He was rendered unconscious instant
". He was carried to the clubhouse
and when he was revived he gasped for
a priest A pastor OF nearby church
administered extreme JUNCTION and then
the catcher was hurried to Cincinnati
hospital. For days he lowered between
life and death. His magnificent ply
sique carried him through safely. For
weeks Bresnahan was gun shy and
backed away from the plate. But he
overcame this fault IN a short while
and now stands as close to the pan as
common sense will allow.
Bresnahan was born in Ireland, June
IA, 1880, and came to this country at
an early age. He played baseball while
attending school. In 1897 he secured
an engagement with the Washington
National league team. He was reen-
gagged the following season and in 1899
he Joined the Minneapolis Western
league team. In 1900 he played with
the Chicago Nationals. Manager Nc
Graw, then with Baltimore, picked up
Roger the following year. Bresnahan
was engaged as pitcher, but in an
emergency he was placed behind the
bat. That was the end of Bresnahan
as pitcher. He performed so well as
a backstop that he was retained to oc-
cupy that position regularly. McGraw
brought Bresnahan to the Giants with
him. and remained here until the mann
moth swap. which sent him to the
Mound City and opened path for him
to become one Of the best managers In
the game.