Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-09-10
A. G. SPALDING DIES
AT SAN DIEGO HOME
[Continued From First Page

n. j. His only brother, j. Walter
Spalding, of New York, is vice presi-
dent of the sporting goods house of
A. G.. Spalding and Brothers. He was
successfully its manager, secretary
, and president until 1881.
Boosted Baseball In Europe
For years he had cherished the idea
that the sport might be popularized
in England and in the winter of 1874
after the tour of the famous Balti-
more Orioles he went to Europe
Everywhere he was received en-
Enthusiastically. In 1888 and 1889 he
managed the first world tour of the
Chicago and All-American baseball
teams.
In 1875 Mr.. Spalding became inter-
ested in the manufacture of sporting
goods and started a small shop In
New Haven, Conn, with a capital of
only $500. A year later, when the
business grew, it moved to Chicago.
For the last fifteen years Mr.. Spald-
ing has published a guide" which is
recognized as an authority on base
ball and other athletic sports.
Was Grocery Clerk
A. G. Spalding gave up S5 week
job in grocery to become identified
with baseball and was perhaps bet
ter known to the sport than any other
man. To veterans of the game he was
r
became famous as a pitcher, one of
the first to use the underhand de-
livery, and later became the manager
of clubs.
Not only during his career on the
diamond, but as an interested fol-
lower of the game years afterward Mr..
Spalding always used his influence to
place the game on high plane.
With his parents he moved from
Byron, Ill, his birthplace. TO Rock
ford, in 1863 where he attended a
commercial college. But he soon
learned that he could make money
playing ball and Joined the Forest city
club of Rockford. which made a repu-
tation when it defeated the National
club of WASHINGTON in 1867.
Joins Red Stockings
Four years later Mr.. Spalding join
ed the famous Boston Red Stockings
of Boston and pitched the club to pen
nant victory in the races of the Ma
tional Professional Association in
ton with active baseball playing was
with the Chicago club which he Joined
in 1876.
For many years Mr.. Spalding was
prominent member of the Universal
Brotherhood of Theosophical Society.
and was identified closely with the
good roads movement.
In the first primary election in Cali
fornia for United States Senator in
1910, Mr. Spalding entered. the race
against John d. Works, of Los Angeles
Although he had only thirty davs for
his campaign. he carried 10 legislative
districts of the State. as against As
for all other candidates Despite this
the State legislature declared that
Works should be chosen and Spalding
was defeated.
PIayed In Harrisburg
A. G. Spalding as a baseball PLAYER
visited Harrisburg with PHILADELPHIA
team early in the 70's He played
against a local team known as the
Tyroleans. Later as a member of the
Boston Red Sox Spalding played in
Harrisburg against the High Bows.
one of the earliest baseball teams in
the city. and on which Charles Fieck.
desk officer at the police station
PLAYED.
The first time spalding PLAYED in
Harrisburg the grounds were on
Allison Hill, the present lines Of
Twelfth and Bailey streets He also
played on the North Sixth street
grounds adjoining the Home for the
Friendless and later on North Third
street grounds near Seneca streets
President John K. Tener of the Ma
tional league who was later Governor
of Pennsylvania was a member Of the
team that Spalding took on a tour
around the world. He was secretary
and treasurer of the team and was
closely identified with Mr.. Spalding.