Omaha daily bee., 1915-03-21
GARRISON A GREAT HURLER
Even Though a Fanette Remarked
He Threw Like a Woman, He
Was Greatest of Great.
HAD A MOST EASY DELIVERY

NEW YORK, March "A young
woman who saw John Cisrkson pitch for
the first time made a remark that will
describe his peculiar overland delivery
"why. look az that man." she exclaimed.
"He throws lust like n woman. I think
women could beat men all 20 pieces &c
they only tried TO play" And the great
hurler of the old DAYS had n very pic
turesquo and attractive delivery. He
VIII Terry, and Tony NIullane were the
most graceful figures in pitching posi-
tluns the game ever had.
In the early days of curve pitching
every bender was shot through with n
lateral sweep. The arm had to be kept
below the shoulder That was law. Many
OF those who had acquired the knack OF
curving ball under that rule, when II
was removed and the pitcher got full
permission TO swing his arm as high as
no wished. many good hurlers stuck to
the lateral swing, and John q, Clarkson
was one of them.
Clarkson began his career or the dia-
mond with the famous amateur team OF
Boston. known as the Beacons, and was
dieb BAANHtl Abl AAalNalh tNHtkt lit
proved such success that the Worcester
club. then in the National league, signed
him during 1883. Clarkson did not prove
great success as hurler in the big
league, but was kept on tho payroll be-
cause lac was a handy man. He could
play the lnfield In very creditabo man
ner and was good batter. However
the Worcester club let him out about tn,
, middle of that season. lie caught OF
with the Saginaw club OF the old North.
western league, and was with that team
the remainder of that season. pitchnl
| fair ball, playing n brilliant game In IN,
] outfield The manager OF the Saginaw
| had to let a man go, and II was up 20 AZ
outfield by the name of Casey or Pitcher
ClarlSson. The Irishman could be only
used in the outfleld, while Clarkson coulC
| FIJI either OF two positions. The man.
ager took John aside and told him II h,
could improve In his pitching his Jol
would be cinched, adding that II he would
get to the grounds early the next morn
ing he would teach him an overhead de
livery that would make him. perhaps, 4
great hurlor. for the manager was yer,
much impressed with Clarkson's head
work. also his wonderful arm and wrist
a wrist as supple and. as strong as steel
Acquired Perfect swing.
| The manager soon had Garrison work.
| ing his curves from n high altitude. No
alone did he acquire a perfect high swing
but the curves no threw, when used
with his new delivery were startling be-
cause OF the lightning-like breaks they
| took. At Peoria the manager tried JohI
and his new delivery, and the manner II
which he baffled the opposition was
revelation lie blanked the Peorias IN
that first game and was so tickled with
! his new delivery that he begged to 20 "a
J the next game He again BANKED In,
1 Distillers TO tho delight OF the manager
To the surprise OF the Peoria player
/ Clarkson faced them the third day ant
won his game. although they managed 4
score on him for the first time in tire,
games. From that period John G. Clark
son was a real wizard In the pitchinI
game.
In 1884 Clarkson was with Saginaw
again and grew more effective ever
game. He hung up a record which q
the greatest ever made In a minor league
and particularly his feats In whiting
batsmen. In one stretch Of eight game
he famed III men and getting as higl
as nineteen I'm a regular contest OF min,
innings. Tho latter part OF 1884 the .eaglt
eye of Cap Arson singlea him out as IN,
choice pitching prospect OF that league.
Good in Mig League.
! Clarkson pitched twelve games fo
Arson in the latter part OF 1894 and woi
ten OF them. finishing the season b,
winning nine In a row. With hts new de
livery-new TO him-John G. whitfield IN,
batsmen OF the big circuit about as read
lily as he did the fellows OF the busl
league. For the Chicagos. in 1885 Clark
son pitched siXty-nine fun games an,
won fifty-two OF them. During 1867 tn
hardest fought battles in the countr-
were between Cap Anson's men and Tn,
Detroit team. The city OF Straits, Will
the famous "big five" were mucl
feared bunch. and the hardest hittini
team in any league. On one occasion
series was being played at Detroit Tn
sluggers representing that city ha,
viciously maltreated every hurIer tina
Arson had sent TO the firing line, tn,
great Clarkson included After the Chi
| NoboS helu ioSt thIee games OF the serle
Arson called together council OF wa
TO devise means whereby the last game o
the series might be won John G, VIII,
had been trimmed good In one of IN,
games, volunteered 20 go In and stop IN,
Michigan maulers
Next day Clarkson appeared In the boz
facing Brouthers, Thompson, Rowe an,
White with a smile. and Ne pitched thu
greatest game OF his career lake
piece Of well-oiled machinery the grea
arm shot the ball through with terril,
speed and accuracy. the ball taking tn,
different breaks like i've thing. Til,
big sluggers were perfectly helpless be