Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-04-02
Sport Copies @ Che 5tour ;
OM- z ~ NDn

baseball fans the world over shed q
tear at the announcement. Here was
the greatest pitcher of his time a foo
of his own folly. He died at San An
tonic. Tex, yesterday, of tuberculosis
but he should have died many years
hence of old age. His death was hur-
ried by his own will and ways. He
was an athlete, giant, but no CON
stitution could stand the pace he set
He is gone, but his greatness will ever
be remembered. He was a hero OF
the diamond AND the fans will not
forget him in hurry. No monument
perhaps, will grace his tomb, but his
name will be ever kept alive by the
baseball fans of the nation.
@
1 knew of the RUDE, as he was
Familiarity called by every one
through his association with the
Newark Club. He was here during
the regime of Joe McGinnity, and
his work in the box was only fair
| He was great mixer and because
widely acquainted in a short time.
| He was a crack shot at clay birds,
and he Joined the then Speedway Gun
Club. He was we'll liked, and he fur
| nished great amusement by eccentric
| ways. He was a high flier with a
| dollar, and he seemed to not mind it
in the least to be broke, although
! occasionally he would make a
touch Everybody was pal to
the RUDE. He was truly "a character,
and as smart as a whip. He could do
almost anything in sports, and eX-
pertness at billiards and pool were
among his accomplishments. He was
always full of life, and he entertained
the boys to their hearts delight in
his own peculiar way.
@
Waddelps career was notable in
many ways, and today he holds the
strike-out record He practically won
two American League championships
for the Philadelphia Athletics, and
performed feat no other pitcher has
ever attempted. The RUDE, while at
his best, one fine day called in all the
outfielders, told them to go to tina
bench, and then proceeded to strike
out the three men who would face
him. He accomplished his purpose,
and thereby created u sensation.
Truly, the RUDE was wonderful fell
low. He was born in 1876, and was OF
Pennsylvania Dutch and English
sto He broke into baseball in 1897,
but he had such poor control that even
his great speed didn't get him by.
In 1901, however, he developed con-
troll, and he became the sensation of
the year. He had way, though, of
doing business. He would work
double-headers and pitch two or three
days in a row, but every now and
then he would vamoose to some un-
known parts, and, as Connie Mack
would say, 1.-THE devil and all couldn't
find him.
But Mack loved Waddell just the
same and he put up with the antics
of the RUDE until he couldn't stand
1t any more. 1t was not for himself
that he let Waddell go, but it was
because the RUDE was running the
discipline of his ball club that made
Connie take the step. Mack sent
Waddell to st. Louis, but he couldn't
get along there at all, and he wasn't
much of q success in Newark after
coming here from the Browns. AL
though Waddell was away from him
for years, Mack never lost sight OF
him, and when he was taken sick
and was in need of help, Connie
came into the breach. Mack stopped
at once the plan to raise a subscrip-
ton for Waddell and took the burden
on his own shoulders.
G
Manager Mack was terribly affect
ed when he was told of Waddelrs
death in Philadelphia.
81 am sorry to hear this news, y
Connie said with tears in his eyes.
He was the greatest pitcher in the
game. Although widely known for
his eccentr.citles, he was more sinned
against than sinner He was the
best-hearted member of our team and
every man with whom he came in
contact Will verify my statement.
10 ofn fhn RIIha
was the first on hand to see him, the
last to leave, and if he had money
1t went for some gift or offering to
the sick man. He was the making
of my team, and every follower of
the White Elephant banner in the
Quaker City knows this in his heart, -
Mack said with much emphasis and a
sadness that told the story of kind
ly feeling for the Rube. HE came
to Philadelphia stranger. but en-
tered into the spirit of the city and
tried with all his heart to bring pen
nants here. He may have failed us
| at times, but to him | and the other
| owners of the Athletics owe much" y
| Well said, we would say to Connie
Mack. Yet it is nothing but the truth.
@
"Waddell was one OF the oldest,
| quaintest characters that baseball
ever knew" says a writer who knew
him well. For many years the RUDE
filled more space in the sporting
pages than any other ball player
he was almost a national figure
and probably he did more to increase
the gayety of this sad world than
any other athlete that ever lived