Evening journal., 1915-07-27
TENER, 81 YEARS
OLD, Was JUMPER
Lett Chicago Nationals Is
Years Ago to Join
Pittsburgh
WAS STAR PITCHER
IN EARLY DAYS

John Kinley Tener, president OF the
National League and former govern
or Of Pennsylvania. United States Con-
gresham, banker and star Of the pro-
fessional diamond, on Sunday oele-
brated the ffty-second anniversary Of
his birth in County Tyrone, Ireland.
The distinguished executive Of the
oldest major league must have a sort
Of fellow feeling in his heart for the
players who jump to the Feds, for
he was once a Jumper" himself A
quarter Of a century ago Tener jump
ed from the Chicago club Of the Ma
tional League to the Pittsburgh team
OF the Players League an outlaw or
Ranization launched by the Brother
hood Of Players with the benevolent
purpose Of putting the old circuit out
of business. IL is to be said In extern
ustion, however. that everybody was
doing II, for all the Windy City play
ers deserted Pop" Arson with the
exception Of Tommy Burns and Will
liam r. Hutchinson
Johnny Tener came TO the land OF
i
and settled IN Pittsburgh. His father
was dead. and there was a large
family of Teners. so Johnny soon had
TO go TO work. In Ireland the Tenors
had known the family of divers, af-
terward represented in Pittsburgh
millionairedom and the United States
Senate and Johnny was given "a 50 a
week clerkship with oliver Brothers
q 1.
for a semi-professional club, at a dol
lar a game, and eventually, when he
had grown into giant of 6 feet
inches, he was given a chance with
the Pittsburgh Nationals. Pittsburgh
turned him over TO Baltimore. and
from there he went to HaS erhill,
Mass At that period he alternated be-
tween the pitchers box and first base.
In 1888 Tener was offered a Job
with the Chicago White Stockings,
and he soon developed into one of the
star twirlers of the National League.
The credit for discovering variNusly
attributed to Tim Murnane and Pop"
Arson. When Spalding and Arson
cooked up the world tour scheme Ten
er was made secretary of the com
pany. He made the trip with the 9th
er players and in England was dele
gated to explain the game 10 the
Prince OF Wales, afterward King Ed
ward. Tener convinced His ROYAL
Highness that baseball was a pretty
good game. but he could not make him
believe that It was equal 10 cricket
At Haverhill Tener's catcher was
Wilbert Robinson. now manager OF
the Brooklyn club. and the present OF
HoUaThlII ala II
Moody. afterward a member OF the
United States Court. In Pittsburgh
Iener had many wealthy and infiuen-
tial friends. and the poor Irish how
had lots OF friendly counsel and as
sistance in his upward climb.
In 1890 the future governor and
National League president beIped 10
organize the Players-League and was
leader in the brotherhood move
ment he was one of the directors OF
the Pittsburgh club of the outlaw
circuit. as we'll as a PLAYER. When
that short-lived league blew IN Tener
quit baseball and with the money
he had saved. started a national hank
IN Charleroi, Pa. In 1908. with his
baseball record as a great helm in his
campaign. he was elected TO Congress.
and retired from thar body 10 become
governor Of Pennsylvania Tor four
years. Except that he was born in
ireland, Tener might aspire to an ex-
ecutive job higher than that of prosi-
dent OF the National League and he
would be certain Of getting a solid
vote from the fans AS governor Of
pennsylvania, Mr.. Tener received S1O.-
600 per year. but as head OF the Ma
iional League his yearly salary is sos. =
600 II is fortunate for the old league
that It has such man at its head
Tor nobody doubts that Mr.. Tener has
the welfare of the game at heart.