Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-28
BY JOHN II. GRUBER.

Pitcher James L. Whitney, "Grasshop-
per Jim, was a native of California, who
came east in 1881, and was a success
with the Boston team from the jump
In that year he assisted Tommy Bond.
doing the bulk of the work. however. and
the following year succeeded Bond, and
had Bobby Mathews as a side partner.
In the first year of Whitneys connection
with the Beaneaters the team ended in
sixth place. In 1882 it went two points
higher, finishing in fourth place, and in
1888 it Won the National League cham
pionship This advance in position until
finally the goal was reached was mainly
due to the splendid efforts Of the Grass
hopper. who was not only good pitcher.
but an excellent batsman.
BY the time the season Of 1883 came
along Bond and Mathews were no longer
with the Boston team. The club secured
Charles Burlington TO helm Whitney. The
new man made rand strides III his pro-
fession and the pair soon We're regarded
as among the best in the country Ihey
remained together for three years, 1885,
s4-sJ In 1888. as noted, Boston won the
championships; in 1884 it landed in second
place and in 1885 I'm sixth. In 1884 BUT
fington became the premier boxman.
pitching nearly twice as many games as
did W hltneN.
IN 1885 the Boston club engaged Charley
Radbourne. the veteran Providence pitch
err fthe Rhode Island town having quit
the National League,. and William stem,
myer. who had shown exceptional skill
in minor circles. Whitney was therefore
released.
Burlington Is Sold.
Burlington lasted only one year longer.
After the close Of the season Of 1885 the
Boston club created somewhat Of SEN
sation by disposing of the services OF
Burlington to the Philadelphia club. II is
a singular fact that the last game pitched
\ by BURLINGTON for Boston was against the
| PHILADELPHIA team. 1t was played AT bos-
| ton Septemher L. 1886. and BURLINGTON
| lost. 10 to J. the Phil!ies getting sixteen
| hits off him and Radbourne. who renewed
| him after the sixth inning. The Fiiia'
| delnf,ia pitcher in that game was the IA
NOUS Charley Ferguson, one OF the pes
ail-round players the game ever hhe"
| He died on April -. 1885. his death being
! universally regretted
Buffingt remained three wears Win IT.
| philadelphia team, 1SS1-sS-S9. and In ls.s
| jumped to the Philadelphia Players
| League team. In 1891 he was with tne
| Eoston team of the then "outiawed
American Association. In lSt. ne was
with the Baltimore team of the Nduonal
| League the league that year expandlns
| into a tweIve-ciub circuit This was Bur
| ington's last year in base bal. The Gun
asked him to agree to d cut IN sd ar
| but Buflnpton declined. and was released
| on the last day of June. The last game
he pitched was against Washington al
| Baltimore On June .s. The Balfiinores
| rost by a score of - 20 :. the Nationals
getting thirteen singles, one double, one
| triple and one home run. d total OF TWEEN
| ty-tuo bases.
| From Ocean to Ocean.
The Washington pitcher was Phii
| Kue,l who was released a little later
and went to Philadelphia. There ne
| was also let go. and then signed with
the san Francisco club, which handed
| him the blue envelope after rev
weeks. and he then finished the season
with the Los Angeles team. Here Is
! the spectacle of a player getting TOUT
/ Jobs in one season. and crossing Lns
continent from ocean to ocean 10 III
| them This is certainly a record
Baltimore in that year-isS., being its
| first in the National Leaaue-flnishea
absolutely last-that is, In tWeiftn
/ place However. it had the nucleus u
| a champion ship team Hanlon coming
| from Pittsburgh early In May sue
| ceeded George Van Haltren as man
| ager. He already had John McMahof
. and Wilbert Robinson as battery