The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-04-04
THERE was Delaneys red-haired
trio-Red Gilbat, left fielder; Red.

Reddy RAY, center fielder, composing the
most remarkable outfeld ever developed
in minor league baseball. 1t was De-
laney's pride, as it was also his trouble.
Red Gilbat was nutty-and his batting
average was .37I. Any student of base
ball could weigh these two facts against
each other and understand something OF
Delaneys trouble. 1t was not possible to
camp on Red Cilbat's trail. The man
was a jack-o' Lantern, will-o -the-wisp,
a weird. long-legged, long armed, red
haired Elusive phantom. When the gong
rang at the ball grounds there were ten
chances to one that Red would not be
present. He had been discovered with
small boys pecping through knotholes at
the vacant left field he was supposed to
inhabit during the play.
OF course what Red did off the ball
grounds was not so important as what
he did on. And there was absolutely no
telling what under the sun he might do
then except once out Of every three times
at bat he could be counted on to knock
the cover off the ball
Reddy Clamner was a grand stand
plaver-the kind all managers hated
and he was hitting .3o5. He made cir
Gus catches circus stops, circus throws,
circus steals-but particularly circus
catches. That is to say he made easy
plays appear difficult. He was always
strutting, posing, talking. arguing, quar-
reling-when he was not engaged in
making a grand stand play. Reddy
Clammer used every possible incident
and artihce 10 bring himself into the
limelight.
Reddy Ray had been the intercollegiate
champion in the Sprints and a famous
college ball player After few months
of professional bail he was hitting over
100 and leading the league, both at bat
and on the bases. 1t was beautiful and
thrilling sight to see him run. He was
So quick to start. so marvelouSly swift,
so keen Of judgment. that neither De-
1aney nor any player could ever tell the
hit that he was not going to get. That
Was why Reddie Ray was whole game
in himself.
Delaney's Rochester Stars and the
Providence Grays were tied for first
place. OF the present series each team
had won game. Rivalry had always
been keen, and as the teams were about
to enter the long homestretch for the
pennant there was battle in the New
England air.
The September day was perfect. The
stands were half full and the bleachers
packed with a white-sleeved mass. And
the field was beautifully level and green.
The Grays were practicing and the Stars
were on their bench.
Were up against it, Delaney was
saying. This new umpire, Fuller, hasn't
got it in for us Oh, no, not at all Be-
lieve me, he's a robber. But Scott is
pitchin' we'll Won his last three games.
He'll bother cm. And the three Reds
have broken loose. They're on the ram
page They'll burn up this place today.
Somebody noted the absence of Gilbat.
Delaney gave a sudden start. why,
Gil was here" he said slowly. Lord !.
he's about due for nutty stunt.
Whereupon Delaney sent boys and
players scurrying about to find Gilbat,
and Delaney went himself to ask the
Providence manager to hold back the
gong for few minutes
Presently somebody brought Delaney
a telephone message that Red Gilbat was
playing ball with some boys in a lot
four blocks down the street. When at
length a couple of players marched up
TO the bench with Red in tow Delaney
uttered an immense sigh of relief and
dllCI ClOSC oI NCu
lace. he whispered Lock the GatesP'
Then the gong rang. The Grays
trooped in. The Stars ran out, except
Gilbat, who ambled like giraffe. The
hum OF conversation in the grand stand
ing of chairs, and then grew quiet. The
expectancy. The umpire threw out
,.rt,, h-,n h. II
and Blake OF the Grays strobe to the
plate.
Hitting safely, he started the game
inheld played for a bunt. Like clock
Blake got his flying start for second
base Morrisey tore in for the ball,
got it on the run and snapped it under
hand to Healy, beating the runner by
an inch. The fast Blake, with a long
slide. made third base. The stands
stamped The bleachcrs howled. White,
next man up, batted high fly to left
field. This was a sun field and the
hardest to play in the league. Red Gil
bat was the only man who ever played
it well. He judged the fy, waited under
ii, took a step back. then forward, and
deliberately caught the ball in his gloved
hand. A throw-in to catch the runner
scoring from third base would have
been futile, but it was not like Red Gil
bat to fail to try. He tossed the ball to
O'Brien. And Blake scored amid ap-
plause.
What do you know about that"
calculated Delaney. wiping his moist
face. 81 never before saw our nutty Red
head pull OFF play like that"
Some of the players yelled at Red,
This is two-handed league, you bat I"
The first five players on the list for
the Grays were left-handed batters. and
against right-handed pitcher whose
most effective ball for them was a high
fast one over the outer corner which
they would naturally hit toward left
field. 1t was no surprise to see @ar'ev
bat skyscraper out to left Red had to
run to get under it. He braced himself
rather unusually for a fielder. He tried
TO catch the ball in his bare right hand
and muffed it. Hanley got TO second
on the play, while the audience roared.
When they got through there was some
roaring among the Rochester players.
Scott and Captain Healy roared at Red,
and Red roared back at them.
ITS all off. Red never did that be-
FORE" cried Delaney in despair. Hes
gone clean bughouse now"