The Washington times., 1913-02-15
COBB .NCW TRAINS
FOR BIG SEASON
IN ODD MANNER
Joke Started by Rube WaddeII
Proves Boon to American
Leagues Star Player.

CHICAGO, Feb. 15.-Tyrus Cobb, of
the Tigers, has found a method of
training more effective than the idea
which prevails at present among ma
jor league clubs. The following story
was related TO the writer by Herman
Germany Schaefer, former second
sacker of the Detroits and now official
coacher of the Senators:
Cobb visited Joe Cantillon at his
farm in Hickman. KY, for a week in
December" said Germany. II happened
to be there at the same time and so
was Rube Waddell, one of Cantillon's $
star pitchers at Minneapolis. Rube is
as eccentric as ever and readily entered
into a deal We framed up on Cobb dur
Ing his early stay.
AT dinner the first night Waddell
casually mentioned he had located a
splendid duck shooting spot a few miles
from the farm. Cobb, who likes hunt
ing moderatelyw ell, pricked up his
ears and nodded.
what do you say to trying 1t out
Cobb seemed dead willing. So the next
morning they got Up bright and early
and We found them eating breakfast.
ing grounds we loaded Tv down with
a bunch Of shells, a heavy shotgun.
some decoys and package containing
their lunch.
Cobb Is Game.
1T made a mighty heavy load, but
Cobb said nothing. He is a dead game
fellow, all right Now if there's any
thing that Rube likes better than TAX
ing long walks after ducks or turkeys
I'd like to know 1t. Rube set the pace
70 =,
spot he had selected for the shoot was
several miles from the farm. and be-
fore they got half way there Cobb be-
gan to get tired.
You see, he hadn't had an overly
amount of exercise this winter and the
He was pretty near petered out when
they finally got 10 the shooting grounds
..Waddell says Ty threw the load on
the ground and sat down with a groan.
They can say all they want about a
months or six weeks training, but
II all holler,' ne told us when he
finally reached the farm that night
And ! guess he's pretty nearly right,
too"
Stories about WaddelI and his eccen-
trlcities are always interesting, and
here is one We heard this week that is
said to be absolutely genuine.
Waddell was pitching a game against
the Giants at the Polo Grounds many
years ago. He was in great shape and
his team was a run ahead in the sew
enth. When the Giants went TO bat in
their share OF that round Rube wal!.cI
the first batter and hit the second
Then, with his usual nonchalance. he
famed the next two on seven pitched
balls.
Band Rattles Rube.
He had thrown two straight strikes
TO the following batter when his at
tention was attracted to brass band
playing outside the gate. The main
door happened to bc standing djar
and Rube caught sight of d German
picnic passing In wagons Waddell
wound UP hurriedly ana threw the bail
several feet over the catcher's head
and II went Oh through the open gate.
Waddell dashed for IL, yelling. "i'll
get IT, and disappeared from View.
Several of his mates chased him and
discovered him climbing into one of
the wagons and already out of reach.
The Giants had scored three runs in
the meantime. Although the visitors
eventually Won out In ninth inning
finish, Connie Mack never quite for
gave Rube for his desertion that day.
Manager Joe Cantilion is meeting
with more than ordinary success IN
leading the eccentric pitcher, and really
believes the big veteran southpaw will
have a splendid season IN 1919. Rube
spends the entire winter at the HEX
man farm. where he gets all the hunt
ing and fishing he desires. So long as
he has that lie is perfectly satisfied.
CantilIon allows him s. a week for
spending money and keeps the rest de-
posted in a Louisville bank where
Rube can't get to IT, So now Wqddell
will have little money saved by the
time he finally retires.