Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-09
PART III.

THOSE words of the manager @You going to
get the chance, and it's up to you" were still
ringing in my when trooped into the club
house with the rest of the team and began to unpack my
uniform and other baseball paraphernaia.
Here in the clubhouse of of the finest backgrounds
in the country at last in the big eague knew
that should start the regular payroll even II d1dn
last and that in itself a lot of satisfaction he
next day was the opening of the season, and that
day should earn my first pay as professional ball
player.
will remember my family had suffered financial mis-
fortune just before signed my big league contract and
l eager to help them tide over the difficulty |
knew that my mother would be the first to do without
some things that she might need, and was preparing
surprise for her. scraped up all the money had in
my clothes, and discovered that possessed Just twenty
eight dollars. made up my mind to live OF that tor
two weeks, SO that | could send my mother my hrst
weeks salary In the big leagues the checks made
out twice month. AS was getting two hundred and
fifty dollars month for starter, this would make my
first check amount to hundred and twenty-five
dollars knew that the money for my uniforms would
be taken out of this but figured that should be able
to send her seventy-ve dollars and then have enough
left with the aid of the twenty to carry me over
until the next payday.
All this went through my brain as | unpacked the
grips had carried all the way from Texas. Then 1t
occurred to look for my locker. It took me but
few minutes to realize that newcomer. There
was opportunity for me to forget It. few pointed
remarks from the older players made me understand
very clearly that must not expect any of the special
privileges granted the oldtlmerS
TWAS standing there in helpless sort of way,
dering in what way should proceed to get locker,
when the negro trainer relieved my embarrassment.
GTake that one in the far corner, he SAID and
did without comment except to thank HIM tor help
ing me out. -
All around me could see the familiar of ia
nous players the lockers that occupied favored
spots and instinctively stole glance upward to see
what was over mine | had fallen heir to blank!
Later Speedy the clubhouse boy, explained to me that
no name would be painted over my locker until had
made good
"Theres been MANY er one hung his cap in that one
he said "and then had to beat it back to the bushes
Il suppose you call this tryout station, said IN an
endeavor to be lighthearted.
@Call it anything you like, he replied; but you
needn't expect no name that locker this season,
cause you got to show EN- somethn. All these guys
you with their names over the door, ne explained
pointing to the veterans, "has delivered the goods
Up to that time Speedy had paid little attention to
me- and it really had caused worry. He re-
minded me SO much of my old friend Red, the tough
little rubber at college, that wanted to know him bet
ter got line the situation that afternoon, how
ever when saw of the old players giving Speedy
quarter for bringing towels. You see every player
supposed to furnish his Turkish towels and put his
them 1t is of Speedys jobs to keep these
towels washed and bring them around they
needed Understand, Speedys job was self appolnt1ve
He was hired by nobody in PARTICULAR but just grew up
there the clubhouse and earned livelihood by looking
after little things for the players. After watching this
for awhile got the proper angle and acted accordingly
@Here, Speedy" nobody could tell you his last name
on bet said to the boy, Il want YOU to look after
my towels. You might need little change; so here's
a half-dollar in advance
1t worked like charm Speedy looked at in open
admiration: not much because he got the money,
but because he regarded me as sport" In fact,
overheard him say his worthy assistant, freclde
faced shaver, "The guy has lot OF class to him.
Once had made an impression on Speedy, was all
right He and looked me over very care
fully. He then asked all about the training trip, and
perfectly familiar with everything of note that
had done After that he kept me informed as to lot