The Washington times., 1913-01-07

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. Years ago
the late Robert Ingersoll delivered a
lecture called Some Mistakes OF
Moses" Were Ingersoll living today
and took any interest in baseball, he
probably would provide sequel to the
former and name It Some Mistakes of
Mathewson."
AS an exponent OF the fadeaway, big
reaching from the Plymouth rock to
the golden gate. When 1t comes to
using his wits on the hill and backing
up strategy with curving skill OF the
highest degree, Mathewson is almost
in class by himself.
For the last few seasons Matty has
contributed largely to the literature Of
baseball. He has written books and
weekly articles for newspapers, and
surely no player is better qualified to
take up such work than Mathewson-
But Mathewson is hurting his reputa-
ton as a writer by being guilty Of gross
inaccuracy and sometimes what often
looks like malicious falsifying. In addi-
ton the "yellowest' baseball writer in
the country could go to school to Matty
in the art of taking" This has been
noticeable ever since the big pitcher
took up writing as a side line.
Distorted Facts.
For instance, Matty distorted the
facts In the famous incident in the 1908
series between the Cubs and the Tigers.
when Brown took a bunt and tagged a
runner trying for third. In Matty's
signed story he asserted that Cobb was
the player retired at third. when, as
matter of fact, Cobb was the bats
man who laid down the bunt. O'Leary
was the base runner caught by Browns
play. IT is not on record
that Cobb was ever retired going from
second to third on bunt.
Mathewson also accused Connie Mack
of "doctoring" the Shibe Park diamond
before the first game OF the 1911 world
series played in Philadelphia. Matty
saw the ground was wet and. according
to his own article, turned to a Phila-
delphian and asked him whether there
had been any rain.
No" was the answer from the Phila-
delphian. Then / knew that Mack had
'doctored' the grounds so as to slow up
our speedy runners" declared Mathew
son in the article.
AS a matter of fact, had Matty ap-
piled to the Government Weather Bu-
reau. he would have discovered that
there had been a good rainfall the night
before the game. That was the reason
the turf was soft. 1t Is not believed
that Matty ever apologized to Connie
Mack for making this false accusation
against him.
Finds a Conspiracy.
Christy's latest piece of careless re-
porting has Just been published. Matty
once again turns his attention to Phila-
delphia. This time II is a plain case OF
hitting the pipe. In a coiumn-long
story, Matty bares a conspiracy on the
part of Will Locke and Barney Drey-
fuss to make Mike Donlin manager of
the Phillies.
The transfer of Donlln here. accord
ing to Matty, was a part OF coup on
the part of Locke which will shortly
result In the ousting of Doom and the
elevating of Donlin to the managerial
role.
one would infer from the article tina:
Mr.. Locke has had full charge of the
~-.liladelphia team for the last month,
instead of holding an option that Is
getting his complete attention.
The Donlin fake originated in Pitts
burSh. Mathewson must have read IL
and concluded it was the real thing,
for he 'rewrote" II for column pipe.
II Mathewson made any inquiry, he