New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19

through in nice style, and beat the Browns
with ease. His next appearance was against
a second division club, and he scored a shut
out. In both games his club hit the ball. 50
that he was never pressed very hard, and
he had just about decided that pitching in
the big league was a far softer proposition
than twirling in the minors.
1t seems that he had signed a contract
calling for three hundred dollars a month,
and that the manager Of the team had as
Surcd him that if he made good he would be
rendered a contract for the next year at an
increased stipend. The two decisive vic
tories were too much prosperity Tor the
recruit By accident the manager over
heard a bit Of conversation between him and
another youngSter. after he had won his
| second game, and have heard this manager
laughingly tell about II many times since
Before the game the manager had left an
important package in the clubhouse for safe
keeping. He rushed off at the conclusion OF
the game, and was halfway home before he
remembered the package. fastening back
to the ball park, he walked in Just as the
two recruits, who were in a different part OF
the clubhouse, were discussing affairs in
loud tones.
Praise for his work in the game he had just
lltlItt4, OlitlN'4 ~ blIN iNNI 4ii''N'''N''
brought the following response:
I'm to get more money if | make good.
If win a couple more battles, III complain
Of illness. and get away withou, pitching any
more games With four wins 20 my credit,
III hold them up for pretty good figure
next year.
After getting his package the manager
made his exit without having been noticed.
The manager had intended to pick a couple
more soft teams for the youngstcr but the
conversation he had overheard made him
decide that the cheStincss Of the newcomer
would have to be lcssened or he would
want Walter Johnson contract. For ten
days the youngster did not get another
chance to start a game; although twice he
was sent in 10 pitch the last few innings OF
contests that had been hopelcSsly lost. FL
nallv the hard-hitting Athletics drifted into
town. The recruit was given quite a Jolt
when he was selected 10 pitch the opening
game against this great club.
1t happened that the Athletics were in a
batting mood that day, and they would
probably have hit the offerings OF any pitcher
lust as hard as they hit those Of the recruit.
At the end of the sixth inning they had piled
up six runs, and the manager decided that
was about enough and shipped the young
man to the clubhouse The next club he
faced was Detroit. always noted for It's abil-
itv 10 slug the ball, and the Tigers treated
him lust about as unkindly as the Athletics
had. -,
The wallopings he received from the Ath-
lctics and Detroit made him forget all about
the illness he had intended developing. In
stead he vcarncd for a few more chances to
wine out those two defeats. When the
season closed the recruits record was two
victories and FIVE defeats However, IN the
last three games he gave fine exhibitions OF
twirling. but luck was against him.
When the youngslcr departed for his home
nj the close Of the season he had no thought OF
holding NJ the club for a fancy salary. Ills
only concern was whether he would be asked
70 90 South in the spring. The manager knew
that he had lot Of ability and was bound
10 deliver. and incidentally knew that the
,rouncing given him by the Athletics and
Tigers had done him a world Of good.
The contract sent 70 the yOungstcr called
for an advance Of three hundred dollars over
the contract Of the year before. The recruit
who rcportcd in the spring had lost all his
swcll-hcadcdncss. He had become an ath-
lctc fired with ambition and the desire to|
make good. He appreciated the rmSc oi
three hundred dollars, after having been
able 10 win but two ont OF seven games, and
realized that there was difference between
The bushes and the big league. Before the
iDt. III f.. n,s