Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-07
BENZ OUT TILL JULY
Weakness as Result of
Typhoid Prevents Training.
NOW FAR BELOW WEIGHT
White Sox Curver VIII Require
Rest Before He Will Be
Able to Pitch.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star
PASO ROBLES, Cal, March s.-Joe
Benz and his meat-ball delivery is lost
to the White Sox until July 1. That's
the word straight from the Batesville
athlete, who considers himself lucky
to be hobnobbing- with his brother Pale
Hose on the present conditioning ex-
petition.
In telling the sad. sad story, Joe ad-
mitted having paid over his bit for the
1914 city series-$555-plus a ten-case
note as a reward for services rendered
1y responsible for his winning fight
against the ravages Of typhoid fever.
When the main guard arrived here
to start training they found their old
shipmate, Benz, looking like a man
who had tasted for three months. In
stead of the stalwart, broad-shoulder-
ed, clear-eyed Joe they had parted with
last October. they met a haggard chap,
weak in physique, but still aflame with
ambition and the desire to get in trim
for bruising campaign. AS he strap
ped on his regimentals. preliminary to
busting into the first light workout,
he told his story.
after returning to Batesville, at the
close of the city series. 1 was taken
down with quincy and tonsilitis, and
soon developed walking typhoid" said
the big right-hander. II had been all
ing for two months prior to the close
of the base ball season. but wasn't
aware Of my true condition.
"One day, while in Batesville. drove
NV roadster down to Cincinnati, and
an hour after I returned home 1 was
nut to bed with temperature of 103.
Lost Much Weight.
"Isor five weeks lay in a semi-con-
sctous condition, never able to rec
ognize visitors. When I had recov-
cred sufficiently I was placed on an
operating table, where the surgeons
removed adenoids. tonsils and palate,
the ordeal lasting three hours. Owing
to my weakened condition L was unable
to take an anesthetic
81 tipped the beam at POS pounds
when I arrived in Batesyille-being
about six pounds over my playing
weight. During the eight weeks that
was confined to my bed l fell away
January IS I was cooped UP in the
house and the doctors in charge of
NV case told me / wouldn't be able to
don a base ball uniform until April 1.
but l guess l nave iooieo some Oh the
medical sharks.
."The experience. roughly estimated,
represents a financial outlay of $1,000.
When / left Batesville ] gave my check
for my share of the winning end of the
city series to the nurses: The check
was written for s556.41, but I kicked
off sI.4l and added a en-dollar bill
to the paper
When arrived a Paso Robes, three
weeks in advance OF the club, tipped
the beam at l69. ! worked out a bit
with Jim Scott and Red Kuhn of our
club and 'Rowdy' Elliott, the coast
league catcher, and gradually built up
to 179. Right now | scale at ITS. but
want to reach the 100 mark and remain
there during the season. I have played
some golf here, and one day hiked
fifteen miles but | must always be
careful lest + overexert myself"
Joe admitted his good right arm was
still weak and unable to work miracles
with that old base ball. but he is de-
termined to resume active pastimes,
ana plenty Of them, Just as soon as he
gets the Official Q. e. from the physicians.