Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-08
HUMOR OF THE BLEACHERS

his fingers fan yelled out sarcastically, $50
YOU re the fellow that caught the ball dropped
from the Washington Monument"That must
have been sad mistake"
Usually Charley is strong for high balls,
commented his neighbor; "but fear he in
dulged in too hard practice last evening.
1t was rough work, crude joke; but 1T
drew big laugh, even if it was at the ex-
pense of the catcher who had served his club
so faithfully on a great many occasions. 1t
certainly impressed on me all the more torcl-
bly, the fact that the players and the umpire
are public servants, and must stand for the
taunts and jibes along with the cheers.
FEW players have enjoyed more popularity
in New York than came to Russell Ford
during his first full year as big Lacquer. His
wonderful pitching won for him warm spot
in the heart of every New York fan, whether
lie was a follower of the National or the
American League He made all the OPP
posing clubs look foolish with his assortment
of elusive spit balls. No matter how badly
his club played behind him, Ford always
came across with gllt-edge exhibition OF
pitching. Roasts were slipped to the other
members of the team; but Ford was I'M
mune When he was defeated they SYM
paCh1ZeQ WITH MIN, anu WHICH, TIC Wou tHSy
enthused over his work.
When the Giants and Highlanders met in
the post-season series of 1910 the High
landers had many supporters who liked the
American League simply because OF Ford S
great pitching. 1t was considered certain
that the success or failure of Ford or Mathew
son would determine the winner OF the event.
Mathewson triumphed and the Giants won.
The opening contest was thriller until late
in the game, when the Giants made four runs
bv reason of Ford's inability to keep from
crumbling following an opportunity to retire
the side.
lust inside the entrance to the Polo
Grounds are great number OF public tele-
phones When some enthusiast IS wanted
the obliging usher often goes through the
stand paging him, in much the same man
ner as it is done in the hotels. Sometimes
the announcer calls through his megaphone
the name of the party desired. When the
Giants scored the four runs it was almost
certainty that the game was won. National
League fans were happy; American League
supporters equally depressed. Ford was
perhaps the most disappointed fellow IN the
park. Yet there was not single yell OF
aTake him out!"-@B Bring on the derrick or
other uncomplimentary expressions such as
are hurled at the pitcher when things are
breaking badly. When it became quiet a
fan in the center field bleachers, who evil
IDENTIFY inhabited the grandstand every now
and then, shouted:
1Mr. Ford wanted at the telephone,
please"
1t was this fans novel way of informing
Russell that he was through for the after
noon. Even the great pitcher himself, as
he walked downheartedly from the box was
forced to smile at the wit of the bleacherite.
.0NE must not get the idea that the
~ bleacherites are always victorious in
these battles of repartee. Charley Hall had
a little duel with Western fan that ended
decidedly in the pitchers favor, and made
the rooter so sore that he would have as
sassinated Hall if it had been possible.
Hall is wonder on the coaching lines. 1t
is said that his voice can be heard in Balti-
more when he is coaching in Washington.
Long ago his team mates dubbed him "Sea
Lion" He halls from the Pacific Coast, and
there is some good old Spanish blood in his
veins.
On the day to which l refer Boston was
winning, and naturally Hall was getting all