The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-04-02
FAMOUS BASE BALL PLAYER DIES
FOLLOWING A LINGERING
ILLNESS.
Was Considered One Of the Greatest
Players the World Has Ever
Seen-Burial Today

SAN ANTONIO. Texas. April l.
George Edward waddell. the famous
''Rube." as he was known wherever
base ball Is played. died at a sanato-
rum here late to-day, a victim of tu-
berculosis. after a long fight for life
Waddell. once one of the greatest OF
base ball pitchers, came to Western
Texas four months ago. already weak
ened by pulmonary trouble, but buoy
ant and hopeful that a few months
would see him restored TO health and
ranch near Boerne. but instead of i'm
proving. his strength grew weaker
from day to day until his condition be-
came so serious last month that he
was brought 10 a sanatorium here.
John Waddell. "Rubes' father. and
his mother arrived from Boerne two
hours after their son died. sister.
who lives here. is the only other sur
NlNlng relative. lnterment will be
made here tomorrow
George Edward Waddell. one of the
greatest OF pitchers. was noted near
~ as much for his eccentricities rs
for his ability as ball player In
the II years he spent in professional
baseball he held positions with -
teams, and including return engage-
ments.' had IL jobs. His longest
term of service was with the Philadel-
phia Americana. where under the
watchful eye OF Connie Mack he
pitched winning ball for a half dozen
seasons.
Waddells inability to keep in con.
1ition discouraged most other mana
gers and was indirectly responsible
Tor his contracting tuberculosis which
caused his death There was no bet
tci pitcher than he when he was IN
.orm. but he. as well as mana 90 = ard
,luD owners was aware OF his power
.FHHHaH tn HmN .Ha.NH "a.
result o. his weakness the tdr.cs L
salary he ever received was $4,000 n
veal. That he got from the Athletics.
with the stipulation u is said. that he
must keep in condition. Waddell
shared with Robert Glade the gtr,k.s-
out record of the American league.
On July %. 1903. while pitching for
the ST. Louis Americans. 10 whom
,c had just been released BY Mack.
te famed Is of the Athletics. his
,Cfmer team mates.
Waddcll was born in Butler. Pa
October -. 1879. When 20 years az
age. or in 1896. he pitched his iref
professional ball with the oil city. Pa.
cam. and the next year after a brirr
carcer with the Volant college. ~
line, he entered big League" base
)all as a member Of the Louisville
National League team. The pace in
such fast company was n bit too fest
Tor him. however and after a. f"W
Weeks engagement with Detroit. he
-eturned To- his native state and Join
d the Homestead team.
Jumps 20 Americans
IN 1899. n scout for the Columbus
cam recommended him and he was
irafted by that organization The
scar he was attached 10 the Louis.
vile club. but whrn the LOuisvil.a
players were transferred 10 pif4a.
1urgh he went along. Tho American
League war signal for n general rer.
cd OF players jumping gave Wad
icll the opportunity FOR uuotUlr
,hangc, and be- became a mcm5r. of
he Milwaukee club in 1900
Waddell Joined the Chicago Nlfior
sls u 1901 and pitched q frw great
games Tor the team under Jack u1rI.
In 1902 he jumped the CHICAGO rtut, 10
he Los Angeles Outlaws" bu rr-