The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-08-27
Roger Bresnahan Rounds Out 18th Year
 In Major Leagues

Just 1S years ago today lrid pitcher who answered to the name of Roger Bresnahan made his big league debut in a Washington uniform. the capital city being at that time rep-s resented in the old 12-club bTatonaI circuit. At that time Roger was stiII on the sunny side of 21. Born in Dublin, he emigrated with his parents to the land of promise and finally settled in Toledo, where he first play ed ball with amateur ana serni-pro clubs The future leader Of the Car dinals and the Cubs was playing with Lima, O., in 1897, when his pitching attracted the attention of the major league scouts. and resulted in his en- gagement by 7VVashingtons
 During the remainder Of the 1897 season Roger twirledf in seven games and lost only one. At that he wasn't much of a pitcher for his control was rotten, although he had a world of speed The members Of the team were extremely fond Of the kid, how ever, and they worked their heads or to help him win his games. As a. pitcher Roger ddn't make a very biz hit with the fans, who dubbed him .sHorseshoe.s9
 Roger didn't last long as a box artist. and when Washington released him he was considered just another flash in the pan, a-dsAebodY ex- pected to hear any more Of him. That ISs AO8Ooy put sElOS6T- lie nGEQ me fighting spirit of his Irish ancestors and he wasn't a quitter.. He began pIayng in the infield and outfeld, with an occasional turn behind the bat and when John McGraw took charge of the Baltimore team in the Amerf- can League in 1901 he made Roger his regular catcher. Tn 1902 he was sent to the third bag, and when Me ~6Sraw went to the Giants that year he took Roger with him. For some time
  gardens, and it was not until 1905 that he began. to make a reputation as one of the greatest catchers in the game.
 Tn 1909 Roger made his debut as pilot at the head of the Cardinals and, although he had what looked like a tail-ender team. he made a great race for the flag when he had once got under way. He left the Rajahs to go to Chicago, and ths year became the leader of the Cubs
 Arlie Latham, the famous old third baseman of Chris von der Ahe.s st Louis Browns, who also played with Chicago and Cinc9nnati. was the dis coyerer of Roger Bresnahan ArIis was scouting for Earl Wagner, owner of the Washington club, back in 1897, and went to Lima, o. to gfve the once-over to the Toledo hoy who was said to be a phenomenon. ArIie prov ed then, as on many other occasions, that he was foxy old scout, for he reported that while he thought Bres- nahan had the makings Of a great ban player, he didn't think lot Of him as a twrler. Latharn's judgment was sound, for if Roger had stuck to pitching he would long ago have van ished from the game. Latham, by the way, is still mixed up in the dia- mond pastime, although his career as 3, player is now ancient history ArIie has lately been playing the role aI minor league umpire. after several years spent in the service of the New York Giants as a scout. Latham be- gan playing professional ball some 33 years ago, with the Philadelphia club of the dead and forgotten Ali ance League. He gained his greatest fame with the St. Louis Browns. ana was with that club for nearly de- cade.