Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-19
THE THREE KINGS
Ted Sullivan Writes of DAYS
of Kelly and Radbourne.
UMPIRE KELLY ONE OF TRIO
Players Were Wined and Dined Ere
quently, But Always Came
Through.
UMPIRE KELLY ONE OF TRIO
BY TED SULLIVAN.

While managing the Washington team
In 1883, there were three kings of the
base ball diamond at the same time in
the city. Two OF them represented a bat
terry of the Boston League club, namely,
Mike Kelly and Charles Radbourne. The
other king was that most fearless Of al
base ball umpires, Honest John Kelly
now of New York. There were two con.
eressmen attending the session Of Con
gress who were great ball fiends, an6
were particular admirers Of those
three kings of the diamond. The
Arlington Hotel in Washington. D
c., that night was the scene of q
happy time. These two defenders of the
nations interests had their select friends
and nothing would suit them unless the
three kings accept an invitation to spend
the evening with them. Wine of all kinds
was opened, until daylight next morning.
Rad and Kell went to bed to take a nap
before the afternoons game. Kelly the
umpire remained with the congressman
all that morning, but came down to the
office of the ball grounds at pm. and
fell asleep on the sofa in the back office
Of the club. Games did not begin in
washington until 4:30 pm. At O'Clock
the Boston club appeared on the grounds
with Kelly and Radbourne. who were the
battery on the score card for that days
game. Not a soul in that vast audience
knew their nights outing. The two kings
were still under the influence of the hos
pltal1ty OF their congressman friends, but
SO quiet and unassuming were they in
their action that not a person knew of
their condition but myself and the Wash
1ngton team. Yet, with that handicap of
all kinds Of wine they were still kings.
The personality of Kelly and Radbourne
was SO great that if they were carried to
the grounds on cot they would outshine
some people.
RAIDS uniform only was pitching the
last two years of his life on the ball
grounds-the physique of the original
Rad was there no more-but there was
glove and mask still had the magic to
bluff base runner Or kid a batter.
They were both in their element this
day. Radbourne, with that slow ball
the Washington. batters hitting at it
before it arrived at the plate. Friend
John, the king of all umpires, whom I
ordered to be walked up at 4:15, was. in
the back room of the ticket Office. I
have heard of John l.. Sullivan having
cold water thrown on his head and
rubbed to wake him from his spree on
the night he fought Slade at Madison
Square Garden. WE'LL 1t was about the
same with John Kelly. ready to go out
time for the game, good-natured Nick
Young. president of the National
League, came and asked me if 1 had
seen John Kelly. Mr. Young was a
umpire, and he was ever charitable Of
the great mems faultS-if they showed
any great disposition to attend to duty.
had to prevaricate right here to my
friend Nick. told him that I thought
that John oversight himself at the
hotel. and I had sent boy to bring
him on at once and I knew he would
soon arrive. At the same time I was
see how Was f. 9in tne up to- TO TO
out on the field to umpire. He was at
last ready: but how to get Mr.. Young
away from the Office door. so that he
would not see Kell come out from the
back room was hard matter. By an
artffice Mr.. Young was called into the
grandstand, and gentlemanly John
Morrill,, manager of the Boston club,
came over to me and asked the cause
I explained to him the whole situation.
Morrill, was one of those noble fellows
who when lost to the game are seldom
replaced. He was broad and generous in
this matter. and generally in all matters
when 1t came to base ball. He finally
said to me: rs it safe to let Kelly go
on and umpire in his condition." 1 said
to Morrill,: Il would rather have John
Kelly out there giving decisions for both
VI us, III lbs COuultfOil, IMAM all .tle iOp-
si-loos in the world John smiled and
went over to his BENCH but before leav-
ing he remarked: cit is all up to you,
Ted" Well, the door of the office was
opened, King Kelly appeared in his blue
serge uniform, walked out through the
gate and over toward the home plate in
that military. dignified walk of his When
the spectators caught sight of him they
gave him a grand ovation. as he was
always popular in Washington. He
looked around. and in that commanding
manner and clear voice he said: Batter
up." And then there was action on the
part of both teams. "Kell" was still a
king.
Let me tell the reader, there never was
= game umpired better. The other two
Kings. Radbourn and Mike Kelly. had this
heavy batting team Of Washington at
heir mercy. The amusing part of the
whole proceeding was that the Wash |
ngton team knew that Rad was load |
ed They had beaten Boston in the
after city on their last trip, and that
With Rad sober, but on this day, with |
slow, tantalizing ball, he made fools Of |
hem-so much for the uncertainty of |
base ball. |
The game ended by Boston defeating
he Washington team, notwithstanding
he handicap Of their battery. John Kei-
y umpired to perfection, and the three |
dngs still reigned.