The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-28
Jim Thorpe, 27 Tomorrow, a Failure
 in Big Leagues

Jim Thorpe, the Oklahoma Indian who made a reputation as the worlds greatest athlete in the Olympic games 1 will be twenty-seven years old tomor- | row. The mighty James was born on his fathers ranch. on the banks of 1 the Canadian river, six miles north of Prague, Okla., on May 28, 1888. 1 Sac and Fox Indian, and his mother was half French and half Pot towatamte Indian.
 After setting the world agog by his athletic prowess, Thorpe lost his amateur standing because 1t was shown that he had played baseball for pay. By way of consolation, Jim has tried to break into major league ball, but so far without success. For two annums, under the careful coach 1 ing of John McGraw, the French i 1rish-Indian gladiator has tried to- reach the full stature of a Giant, but his best efforts have been unaVaiHng. There were times on. the training, trip 1 this spring when it looked as if Jim i had arrived and for a time McGrawy used him as a regular, but in pinch he was not there. Since then Me-: 1 Graw has turned the Indian over to Jersey City. It is possible that con- 1 tinuous work in the International League may develop Thorpefs ability as a ball player and bring about bis 1 return to the big show, but it IS be- 1 Iteyed that McGraw's faith in that 1 outcome is not very pronounced.
 r. When Thorpe started with the l Giants he labored under the impress | sion that he was pitcher. As a slab artist it was soon demonstrated that I Thorpe didn't have the goods, and l McGraw quickly abandoned the mo- K ton that he had discovered another HI Bender. Pitchers are born, not made, and Jim lacked the natural qualifica- Fl tions for fooling astute batsmen. + However, many men who have start \ ed as pitchers and failed nave won H fame in other branches of the game,
 and Muggsy sent Thorpe to the outer ll garden. When he landed on the pill fair and square sail pellet was good ! for long ride, but he could not be depended on to hit when it meant a
 run. His throwing was lacking in accuracy, and he often failed 70 an nex a fly that would have been easy for the average big league outfieIder. Why this has been thlus is a. n1ys- tery. All the men on the Giant roster took an interest in the Indian snd helped him all they could. Thorpe had the benefit of the counsel of the
 best coaches in the business. He
 toiled earnestly, for success meant
 more to him than the money involve ed. Not a man on the club had his speed, and his muscular development
 surpassed that of all his fellow
 
 other Giants were nowhere by com
 parison, yet when it came to playing
 the diamond pastime he simply wasn't there. He could pull off sem I sationa1 stunts occasionally, but he I wasn't dependable. If his experience with the Skeeters helps him Thorpe will be given another chance with the
 Giants, but if not he will have to be
 content with minor league salaries
 and fame, or seek some other cccupa- ton.
 Thorpe was one of a pair Of twins,
 but his twin brother died when about
 eight years old. He has three broth CTS and three sisters. Thorpe began to develop his athletic sprowess as a boy, when he was active in all the sports and pastimes of the pioneer Oklahoma community where he was , born. He attended the Haskell In si dian School fora time, and at the age of sixteen entered the Carlisle En-
 dian School There Pop Warner,
 the athletic director of Carlisle, took
 him in charge and developed the {, boys natural athletic capabilities to
 the point where he shone as the
 greatest athlete in the world, and , won honors from monarchs and dis tinguished men throughout Europe
 and America.