The Alaska citizen., 1912-03-11

wouldn't mind boxing Mr.. Jeffries
fgain at any time. He's the easiest
thing l know 50 why not?"
Mania for Wheeling Years AGO.
Harry Davis, new pilot of the
Cleveland Maps. and Connie Mack
didn't always drink from the same
canteen. Though they stood shoulder
to shoulder in the various conquests
Of the Athletics in all those years.
1t was stern discipline by Mack and
Patsy Donovan, and a little rebel
liousness by Davis that really made
him and Mack Damon and Pythias
In the more important years that
followed.
The little breaks between the now
famous pair occurred in Pittsburg
and while Mack didn't resort to
drastic measures, Pat Donovan did
in his first year as manager. Few
persons were aware of the real rea-
sons for Davis departure in 1897
Nettied Connie.
Much has been said of Mack's
geniality and broadness, but the
great leader always had a very ex-
cellent habit of making a broad
distinction between employer and
employee. Davis was a well-behav.
ed, willing and ambitious youngster,
but had a fault that nettled Mack.
and later Donovan, in those DAYS
when Pittsburg rarely was in the
realm of contenders for the flag.
Davis was bicycle fiend. His
long morning spins annoyed his
managers. AS scorcher the pres
ent leader of the Naplanders took
his place among the notorious. Cen
fury clubs requiring 100 miles of
riding a day all had Davis quail
fled for membership He loved
road races, though he didn't partici-
pate. To Mack's pleadings he pro-
tested that his hobby did not af-
feet his playing. Connie felt that
he knew better and soon came an
order to Davis that he give up bike
riding at least during the champion
ship season.
Thought It Unfair.
Young in years and in the rules
OF discipline, Davis felt then that
there had been an unfair curtail-
ment OF personal liberty, inalienable
rights, etc Mornings found him
out over the western Pennsylvania
roads
Patsy Donovan, who succeeded
Connie Mack at the Pirate helm in
the following year, met Davis one
day and said:
Harry, what shall it be? Bicycles
or baseball?'
Both laconically replied Davis,
who, though he respected his boss,
concluded that the time had come
for showdown
Donovan walked away for even in
his prime as a player, Donovan,
like Mack, was not much given to
discussing things, especially such
matters as discipline Three days
later Davis received a railroad ticket
from the manager of Milwaukee.
Donovan had speedily negotiated for
his release
-Four years later, when Connie
Mack, Ben Johnson and others gum
shoed into Philadelphia to create an
American league stronghold, Harry
Davis was working for a railroad
near Providence. Bicycles no long
er were public frenzy and the edge
was off the scorching game. Good
traits in the former Pirate reflected
themselves in Mack's mind and a
telegram turned the trick. Davis
landed again with Mack and what
happened in the ensuing 10 years
is baseball history.
NEW YORK, Feb. ST think |
could give Mike Gibbons a good
fight" said Packey Mcfarland when
asked about the prospect Of a match
with the ST. Paul middleweight. But
what's the use of talking about it?
certainly have no intention of
fighting him. II l went out of my
class and fought heavy man like
Gibbons and beat him, I'd never be
able to get another match with
lightweight.
Pm a lightweight and expect
to go n fighting among the light
weights.
Il wouldn't want to be a heavy
weight. No, the lightweight class is
the best Of all. There are so many
good lightweights all over the coun-
try that q light weight champion
can box as often as he cares to and
get good money every time. Bait
ling Nelson lost his ti1le two years
ago, but he's boxing all the time,
and he gets more money out of
the game right now than any of
the big fellows. I'm going to box
as a light weight as long as l can
make the weight. made it for
Welsh in England, and I can make