El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-03-23

in that season, but it was enough
was so badly ratified that 1 did not get
over 1t all winter. The opening OF
the next season found me in fully as
bad condition, or worse
Lost Confidence.
I lost confidence completely, ana lne
knocks which the press and the spec
tators gave me did not help matters
any When / was pitching, the mo-
ment I failed to put them over, there
would be a series Of calls, Take MIN
out" and various comments on lhs
$1,000 lemon" Criticism of this kind
is very unnerving to a young player
new to the game. 1t gets the nerve OF
the old timers, too, to some extern, Dut
they are more used to 1t and can
stand it better. Still where many
once Take him out" the pitcher IS
likely to grow discouraged, ana 40
not believe any man can 90 MS DSst
under such circumstance
/ know L was hot headed at times,
and on one or two occasions I went
beyond bounds when 1 was goaded D3
some Of those cartoons on sAlsCV0
lemons" 1t is not pleasant to be the
gsat of the whole league, but When
references are made to mere PERSONA
matters that is going beyond what 1
will stand fC-. ! know one day 81 -
Louis I spoiled a hat and a necku5
fer one Of the press writers WnO t -
abused me beyond reason and was nm
ed SIS for it by the umpire However
If was worth il TO me, and I don't COM
plain. though I cannot say ABOUT the
sporting writer
two years, until last spring / made up
my mind I would either make gooq OF
get out Of the game. resoINeu 70
pay no attention whatever 70 any re-
marks made 10 me by the LanS u
the press, but to put them over re-
CARELESS of what might happen
started on this resolve on the spring
training trip down south, depenoIus
solely on speed. I rememb Der vas
pitching to Meyers, and the 1lrsI one
got away from him. II was going SO
fast, but 1t was the beginning SluCA
to fast straight ones 10 get DaCA Lly
control. ] knew control naO ne =
bothered me at Indianapolis In Idcl
when 1 first went there did not
know what the word meant. Aae
heard them talking about controi anu
wondered what IL was ms time
knew. 1 had control once, and / MADE
up my mind I could get it again.
Last season the first game 1 plJcheo
that made any impression on anyone
was in that game where the GIANTS
scored 10 runs in the first inning
against St Louis McGraW saw -
chance. He did not think that even
I could lose the game then, so ne
sent me in and IL was my cnances lou
Here was the opportunity 1 was look
ing for I had nothing to lose Inc
game was already won There WaS
nothing at stake and nothing Specld4
was expected OF me. Ny nervous
ress r7assed away completely, and /
pitched as I had never pitched oeIoIer
In the eight innings which I0uoWeu 1
struck out fourteen men Ihal W.
the true beginning Of my big league
evDerience. / cannot help but contrast
IL with my first game Win tne In
cinnati club where big Things WeLc
expected Of me and my own nervous
ness and lack OF confidence In my
sen ~ Only a sLemon..
Here no one expected anything OF
me- I had nothing TO lose VS.
merely the great $1,000 lemon ano
that moment my old-time confidence
v-as restored 1 went back to my
curves I used fun speed j pltcneq
as I had done In the old days win
the Indianapolis, and the result Of my
last seasons work was a pretty 1alt
indication that 1 made good,
No one can say what Will nappeA
in the next season, but / nave ms
much to say. I have been the great
s11 600 lemon" I have been a Dig
league failure, if you wish 10 cal II
that, but i am not one now anu /
shall not be again nave a nun
Der Of years left. If nothing happens
for work in the ma iOr league circles
have Just signed a three years con-
tract with the Giants and tney are
going TO get my very pest WORK
owe il to Mr.. Brush, prince
among magnates. and Mr.. NcGraw, an
equal prince among managers TOT
their patience in dealing with me IN
that long season when was not max
ing them any adequate return But
I shall endeavOr. TO the best OF my
ability IN the seasons which are com
ing to give them return Tor llelI
Great faith in me which has made my
present success and future prospects
possibIe-Baseball Magazine for July.