The Washington herald., 1915-01-17
Billy Sunday Only an
Ordinary Ball Player
Says Veteran T. Brown
Former Team Mate of the
Evangelist Tells of Early
Days Out IN Chicago.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
BY WILLIAM PEET.

That Billy Sunday, the noted evangelist,
who will appear in the Capital tomorrow
and preach one of his straight-from- the
player is the statement of one old-tfmer
who was in the game when Sunday
6onned the spangles and looked to or
ganized baseball for a living.
Tom Brown was a teammate Of Sun
days on the old Chicago White Stock
irgs, and Tom. who lives in Washing
ton. was interviewed last night regard
ing the famous revivalist He said:
IT remember Sunday well. for played
on the same team with him in Chicago
years ago. / won't say how many-it was
after Billy had reformed, for you know
he formerly was a 'rummy,' and then
some. But the players always respected
him for the stand he had taken, and
never even tempted him to take drink.
More than once after a close game
would enter the dressing room. Some
times the umpire would give an adverse
decision. and the players would start
riding 'him-'that blankety blank umpire,
the -- blank" etc..
After delivering this TRADE the player
would turn to Sunday and say, Excuse
me- Billy, but that's the way I feel"
Sunday would invariably smile and re-
mark, 60 as far you like, boys;
can well appreciate how you feel. for
have often used the same words"
Tom Brown further stated that Sun
days conversion was permanent, and
that after he had signed the pledge,
Joined the church and decided to cut out
profanity, that as long as he knew him
or played with him the famous evangelist
never swerved from the course he had
chosen.
Il never considered Sunday much OF
a bal player. but he worked hard. was
fast and always good fielder, that lei
him out" Brown added.
There has been report sent out from
Washington to the effect that the Feds
will sue Walter johnson in the Fedora
Court, right here in the District Of
Columbia
Right away comes the question OF tur1s'
diction and as johnson Is not resident o.
the District there Is little chance OF TINS
case being tried here
The chances are that the Federals VIII
never go to court for the purpose OF re-
straining johnson, contrary reports not
withstanding.
Joe Birmingham. manager or the
Cleveland Maps, told the writer late
last summer that he believed seah
Gregg, the southpaw who figured In
trade with the Boston Red Sox. would
come back in 1915 and pitch winning
ball with the Beaneaters-
Gregg had a sore arm while he was
with US this season, but do not think
the injury will be permanent, and he is
sure to pitch great ball for Boston,
Birmy added.
Connie Mack needs no additional
laurels to retain his rating among the
haa
ever known, but IL he gets away with
his latest plan l guess you'll have to
figure him in a class by himself re-
marked Joe Kelley, manager of the
Toronto club. of the International
League. and old-time Baltimore Oriole.
yesterday.
He sold the man who was admittedly
the strongest individual member of his
team" continued Joe. He sold an in
tegral part of a machine. Most base
ball people seem to think by so doing
Connie has disposed of his chances for
the pennant next season. But / doubt
Il Connie has any such thought. 1 am
Inclined to the belief that he had
mapped out a definite scheme of action.
which included the acquisition OF
Lajoie and the shifting of McInnes to
second, and am further inclined to the
belief that Connie by no means feels
hat he has hopelessly weakened him
,elf.
IF Mack puts that one over he is a
I am not specuIating on the
OF Lajoie doing an amazing
I'm talking about the plan
Is a whole. 1t would be just as mar
1elous il Connie put II over with soma
'ther player besides Lajoie Connie
looked the field over care
ully before he picked Nap. and maybe
n looking he always had in mind the
'lan to put McInnes at second. There
ore, he was casting about for a first
'aseman. and not a second baseman,
md he was probably always figuring
lifting strength as his chief need.
Il would not be at all surprised to
ee Lajoie show all his old-time slug
Iing ability next year. A man may
low up in every department. but the
atting eye is the last thing to leave
i'm. and this is especially true OF q
atural slugger like Lajoie. Therefore
lacks plan may carry through, and II
does-well, you'll have to dip the
onnet to the old fox of Shibe Field"