The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-04-14
ToDAY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY.
BY o.. Terence.
Id "kins" coIe, Lengthy Yankee
Twirler, Is 90 Today

p, Leonard Leslie Cole, the altitudin-
u twirler of the New York Yankees,
will be the recipient of birthday con
gratulations on the morrow. The tall
blonde fashion plate, who is expected
to help Wild William Donovan pull
the big town American leaguers out
of the marass of failure, was born in
Toledo. April Is. 1886. The 'kink" of
the diamond wintered in California,
after touring with the All-American
team, and played in the California
winter league.
The famed twirler, with the pretzel
windup, the elongated physique and
the erratic temperament started his
professional baseball career in Bay
City, Mich, in 1909. Prior to that
and now we lift the curtain from his
dark past-prior to hat Len Cole
was a Bay City tonsorial artist. Many
a Michigander bear today the scars
left by the future Kings razor. While
he was barbering the male %populace
of Bay City, Len" occasionally played
ball with a semi-pro club, and that
was how he came to abadon his career
as a knight of the shears to become
a king of the diamond.
Len made quite a hit in the South
Michigan League during his first yea
out in 1910, he was called up higher
anu JoliIeu Tue 1upS. AL Sole ulu ioI.
Chicago that annum was to win 20
out OF 20 COMETS pitched, lead the
National League twiriers, M achieve
for himself the proud title of King"
Incidentally, he aided the Cubs to win
their last pennant. Also, he batted
.231.
After his showing that year Cole
looked like the greatest find" in base
ball history. and Charles Webb Muir
ply would ha-ly have parted with him
for a million dollars. But, alas and
a-lack-a-day! POOR Cole hit the skids,
in common with the remainder OF
the Cubs. and in a couple of u
he vas back in the minors, hangilA
on by his teeth. With the Columbus
club of the American Association, Cole
gradually returned to form and COPIED
% games to IL lost.
Peerless Leader Chance. looking
over this dope. figured that Cole was
due for a comeback, and engaged
him for the Yankees. The merry old
SOUL didn't show anything startling.
but Chance nursed him along. although
the fans and the scribes were con-
stantly demanding the can" for the
ex-barber from Bay City. There were
times when Chance doubtless wished
that he had let the Feds kidnap the
"Kink," who had spent a month In a
FED raining camp previous to sign
ing with the Yanks for a consideration
OF $4,000. Toward The close OF the
season Cole was going better and by
taking the measure of the Athletics he
Won n place with the all-star team on
its Pacific tour.
This year will probably decide
whether the King will stay in fast
company or go back to the minors Or
the barber shop.
G. Napoleon Rucker. the Brooklyn
southpaw. win celebrate tomorrow the
eighth anniversary of his big league
debut. Maps salary arm went back
on him last year. but he is confident
that he will be able this season to
deliver the goods as of yore. Rucker
at his best was one of the stellar left
handed fingers of the pastime. He
has been with Brooklyn ever since he
broke into the National League. hav-
ing pitched HIS first game on April
Is, 1907. when he was defeated by
Boston by a score of 3 to 2.