The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-11-30
F rom c OV.
TO PRESIDENT
NATL LEAGUE
JOHN x. TENER, NOW CHIEF Ex-
ECUTIVE OF Pennsylvania,
WILL LEAVE POLITICS TO EN-
TER BASEBALL.
SPECIAL 10 THE JOURNAL.


New York, Nov. 29.-When the Nat
iona1 league magnates meet in this
city on December 8, Governor Tener,
of Pennsylvania, will be chosen to
succeed Tom Lynch as president OF the
league. This means that an old-time
ball player will supplant an old-time
umpire al head of the senior base
ball organization. On the diamond
in commercial life and politics, Gov.
Tener has been a notable success. He
is looked upon by the National league
moguls as the one man capable of in
stilling harmony among the different
factions of the league and bringing
the old organization up once more, on
rival, the American league.
John Kinley Tener was born in
County Tyrone, Ireland, July %, 1853.
He came to America at the age of
nine, was educated in the pubic
schools Of Pittsburg and at the age
of eighteen became a, clerk in an office
in the smoky city. His health soon
broke down and upon the advice OF
physicians he sought out door employ
ment. While working as clerk he
had earned five dollars a game pitching
for local ball teams on Saturday after
ternoons and gained considerable fame
as player His friends, among them
William H. Moody, later justice of
the supreme court of the United States,
persuaded him that he would make
good as professional.
In 1885 Tener obtained his first pro-
fessional engagement as first baseman
of the Pittsburg club. At that time
he stood feet 3 inches and weighed
200 pounds. He was released before
the season was half over and Joined
the Baltimore team. At his own re-
quest he was released to the Haverhili,
Mass, club, where he played until the
close Of the season He again obtain
ed position with a business house
in Pittsburg, but continued to play
baseball at every opportunity
His brilliant record as pitcher in
and around PfttSburg brought him
to the attention of A. G.. SpaIding and
Chicago White Stockings. Tener made
more than good in fast company and
acquired national fame as a pitcher
He was one of the men chosen by
tour of the world with the White
Stockings and All Nationals in 1859
and acted as secretary as well as
playing great ball.
Mr.. Tener's career as a National
league player lasted from 1887 until 1890.
He abandonded the game and settled
In Charleroi, Pa, where he acquired
interest in several large corporations,
became president of a bank and the
head of a street railway company. His
fortune IS estimated as close up to a
million dollars.
In 1909 Mr.. Tener went to congress, |
and on the expiration of his term he
was nominated for governor of Penn
sylvania by the republicans, and cleo |
ted. His term will expire on January |
], 1915. Gov. Tener made good re-
cord as governor and enjoys genuine |
popularity in his State. He is a past
Grand Exalted Ruler of the Benev- |
client and Protective Order of Elks |
and prominently connected with sew
eral other organizations
From the time he quit baseball |
nearly a quarter of a century ago. I'M |
til last winter, Mr.. Tener was in no |
manner connected with the national |
game. but devoted his whole energy |
and attention to business and politics |
His re-entry into the sphere of base
ball was made when he helped the
ate William II. Locke to purchase the
Philadelphia National league club. |
from Chas. p. Taft, of Cincinnati.
now that he is to become president of /
he National league, he will, no doubt
dispose of his Philadelphia baseball |
1oldings.