Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-07-11

stated Lavender isn't color but,
with the Giants. anyhow, state
OF mind For James Lavender
it was who brought to close the
most marvellous run OF games ever
pitched by living mantle nine
teen straight of Richard LeMar-
outs alias Rube Marquard Also
Jimmy has pitched such ball that
he ranks as one Of theareally great
pitchers Of the big leagues today
Delving into baseball histories
brings to light these facts about the
career Of James Lavender
JAMES SANFORD LAVENDER is
J native OF Georgia, and halls
from Montezuma. Macon county,
where he FIRST saw the light Of day
on March 90. 1853. In the Eastern
league. from which he was grad
uated 10 the Cubs, Lavender earn
ed the sohriquet of iron man by
hlling the role of ready rescuer in
addition to pitching in his regu
lar turn or oftener
Lavender would not have had a
try-out with the Cubs this spring
but for the interpretations Of the
national commission. Obtained by
means of the draft from Providence
last fall. Lavender was almost i'm
mediately turned over to the Mon
treal club in part payment a for
Ward Miller, who was purchased
from the Royals earlier in the sea-
son. The deal was a cold blooded
attempt on Montreal's part to grab
the man from Providence The
Cubs had no idea Of keeping him
but merely tried to do little
friendly stunt for Montreal
Montreal, however, belongs to the
same league in which Providence is
included Objection was made by
the Rhode Island club against hav-
ing pitcher taken from it's ranks
only to be dumped unceremonious-
~ into the lap of a rival club with
out trial and with no chance to bid
for his return, The national com
mission vetoed the deal and re-
manded Lavender to the Cubs, with
orders TO give him a trial, and II
found wanting to give Providence
f,rst call on his services. unless. Of
course some other major league
team refused to waive on him
When Lavender was COMPARE
lively a kid his family moved from
Montezuma to GAINESVILLE and
Lavender went to Gordon institute.
He was not a regular pitcher for
the Gordon team. but worked in
some games His first real pitch
ing was done for the independent
team which represented Barnes
Vile in neighborhod games.
Later the Montezuma lad attend
ed Georgia Tech, entering in sopho-
more year. and undertook the
course in mechanical engineering
That he was serious in his search
of profession is evidenced by the
fact he was not considered any
kind Of a pitcher while in college.
He pitched a few games for his class
team in interclass championship
affairs. but never made the varsity
nine. 1t was not until afterwards
that he really discovered he could
pitch.
In 1906 his professional career
began in the South Atlantic league.
as A member of the Augusta team
though previous to that time he had
had brief experience with the
luckless Georgia State league Of
1906. Ed Ransick the Augusta
mogul. decided that Lavender
would do. In 1907 the Georgian
went to Danvine in the Virginia
league and was teammate Of
Martin Walsh. but that is nothing
against Lavender. The next year
found Lavender a long way from
home in Holyoke of the Connect
cut league There he was under
the tutelage OF Jack Tighe, now
manager of the Louisville Colonies.
In the fall OF 1898 Lavender was
drafted by the Providence club into
the Eastern league. and there re-
NAMED until rescued Icy the nation
Al commission via the cubs.
While in Providence Lavender
served under three masters. but not
simultaneously Hugh Duffy had
charge Of the Clam Diggers in 1909,
the first year Lavender pitched for
them Then Jimmy Collins was
made manager. and held the job
until the middle Of last season.
when he was superseded temporar-
lily by Jakey Atz
In spite Of the Encouragement
~ working with a losing team, Law
enders record was good one In
1909 the team finished in the FIRST
division. and he won nearly 60 per
cent of his games. The last two
years he was there Providence was
tail-ender vet Lavender was re-
turned a winner IN nearly half the
games ne pitched in both seasons.
Last yeal the records show he
worked in AZ battles and he was
credited with nineteen victories. -
defeats and one draw by the ac-
countant. That gave MIN q pitch
ing record Of 463 while his team
was winning only 35 per cent Of It's