The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-14
JOHNSON CAUSE
OF KAROE RETIRING
FROM DIAMOND
One Days Catching of Big
Swede Enough to Make
Him Forsake Baseball
RENDERING VALAUBLE
SERVICE AS A SCOUT
Has Roped Large Number of Senator
Stars-Ainsmith, Cashion, Walker.
Long, Lelivelt, Moeller and
Foster Among Proteges

Washington, Decebemr 13-Washinston
baseball fans probably do not remember
the day Mike Kahoe, Grif's handy scout.
sang his swan song at National park,
threw away his catchers mitt and said
to his pals: 1--WE gone behind the bat
for the last time in my life.e
kahoe pulled this Adelina Patti stunt
back in 190s late In the season, during
the cantillon regime, and strange to re-
late Walter johnson was the pitcher on
that occasion.
That day Cantillon was shy of catchers
-Blankenship and Gabby Street were
both nursing sore digits and refused to
work Street finally agreed to catch a
few innings, and started the game
1t was one of those dark, dog days when
johnson had nothing but smoke, and was
zipping 'em over with the speed of a
Mauser bullet. In the fourth inning
Street sent out distress signals. Mike
Kahoe was on the bench, and Cantillon
made him relieve the talkatlve one.
Mike had done very little work that
season. He was used more to warm up
the pitchers and occasionally pinch hit,
than anything else.
Two out of every three balls that john
son shot over landed in Kahoe's glove,
only to drop out Only a couple of stolen
bases went to the credit of the visiting
team, for only two visitors could get on
the bases, but somehow or other. Mike
stuck 1t out, finishing the game.
Ten minutes after the final man had
been retired Kahoe's left hand was swol-
len the size of a ham. In the dressing
room he sought Cantillon and coolly in
formed him that so far as catching was
concerned the Washington ball club would
have to struggle along without his serv-
ices.
II don't know why / wasn't killed."
kahoe added johnson had so much
speed that every ball which landed in my
mitt nearly ripped YIN arm loose, and
the palm of my hand felt as IL somebody
had stuck a sharp knife through it.
Since that time Kahoe has never caught
a ball game. Cantillon appointed him
scout for the club, which position he still
holds
A Valuable Scout
Since kahoe has quit playing ball he
has rendered valuable service to the
Washington club. Joe Cantillons judg-
ment that Mike should make good as a
scout was accepted by McAleer, who had
and by Griffith, the present incumbent.
An old catcher himself, Kahoe's first
prize was Eddie Ainsmith who was pur-
chased from the Lawrence club of the
New England league back in 1910. John
Henry was added later. Both are still
with the Nationals. and incidentally re-
garded as about the best receivers in the
American league.
Jack Lelivelt is one OF kahoes pro-
teges, also jay Carl Cashion, Red Walk
err Tommy Long. Bill Allen. Morley and
Outfelder Ben Spencer.
When Jimmy McAleer made the big
deal with Rochester for Danny Moeller
and Eddie Foster, it was Kahoe who first
recommended these players, although Nc
Aleer himself took trip to Rochester
and, after watching them in action, closed
the deal with Manager John Camel of the
International leaguers.
Kahoe, previously to coming to Wash
ington, lived in Cincinnati. AS a big
Lacquer he played on several clubs and
was always rated as steady, hard work.
ing catcher. Washington is Mikes
home at present, and his friends here are
legion