Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-08-29

rumor carrigan yehemently denied
and reported to the college authori-
ties that he had no intention OF be-
coming professional ball player.
Carrigan was great college play
err his playing had bordered on the
phenomenal. AS a batter he aver
aged well over 800 His fielding, too,
was superb. his average for the col
Iege season ranking him well up with
the catchers OF the larger college
teams.
1t was somewhat Of surprise,
therefore, when in view of his contin-
ued. refusals of fiattering offers to
Join other big league teams, he
signed contract with the Boston
American League team and reported
for duty at the completion Of his
college course.
Just how Carrigan was made to
change his mind or what pressure
was brought 10 bear, has long since
been forgotten, If indeed those de-
tails were ever made public. How
ever, Carrigan Joined the ranks of
the Boston team and in thirty-seven
games that season he batted for :.211
Sent to Toronto for Seasoning.
Early the next year. May 4, 1907, 1t
was deemed prudent to permit ..Billv
to acquire more experience expert
ence that could not be obtained in the
big league, and he was accordingly re-
leased to the Toronto team of the
Eastern League.
AS a member of the Maple Leafs,
Carrigan was a sensation. His field
ing attracted attention all over the
circuit, the managers of clubs in the
National and American Leagues at
tempted to negotiate for his purchase
only to find that the Boston club still
had strings attached to the Maine
boy. He had batted for an average
of .319 while a member of the Toron-
to team, and at the close of the sea
son President John L. Taylor was
quick to recall him. He played with
success during 1901 and 1908.
Carrigan was sofely needed after
Lou Criger, the mainstay behind the
bal, was sold to St. Louis in 1909, and
"Bilr' filled in splendidly. His sunny
disposition, his aggressive, deter
mined manner while participating in
a game, and his timely hitting made
him feared and respected by the
members of opposing teams.
He had been back with the Boston
team but one season when he learned
most of the peculiarities and weak
nesses of his opponents.
But it was not until last year that
Carrigan's value to the team was de-
termined With 'Heinie' Wagner,
the Red Sox shortsiop, "Blll" became
the board of strategy of the team
when it was making it's fight for the
American League championship.
The Club Stragetist.
Night after night, when most OF
the other players we're asleep, Car
rIgan and Wagner could be found
wide awake planning the campaign of
he morrow, figuring out the strength
and weaknesses of the Red Sox, and
weighing the shortcomings and handi-
caps of their opponents.
Carrigan's knowledge of the oppos-
ing batters, and his advice and assur-
ances to the members of his own
teams pitching staff stood the team
in good stead during the crucial stages
of the fight, and his own timely hitting
helped win many game.
In the post season series with the
New York Giants in 1909 his ingen-
ulty and sagacity were responsible
for the defeat of New York. and when
these same teams, after winning the
championships of their respective
leagues last fall, prepared for the
~. a
Wagner that their teammates looked
for inside knowledge of the peculiar
tiles and handicaps of the Giants.
OF how much assistance Carrigan's