The Washington herald., 1915-01-27
Duke Farrell To Coach
Bill DOnOVan'S 4ankS
Veteran Who Discovered Ray
Morgan Again in Spot
light Was Former Wash
ington Catcher.
BUCK BARTON IS SOLD
BY WILLIAM PEET.

well, he got me out of the Virginia
League, so why shouldn't I be grateful
and want to see him?
After this parting shot Ray Morgan
darted into a brilliantly lighted bowling
alley on one of those crooked streets in
Boston and going up to a big fat man
extended his hand.
'Howdy, Duke, hows the world using
you" was Morgan's salutatiOn.
The fat man was Duke Farrell, one
time famous catcher. who tipped Nor
gan off to Jimmy McAleer during the
flag end of the 1911 season, and the time,
as recalled by the writer, was one warm
night in July two years ago.
Now they are going to make Duke
Farrell coach of the New York Yankees,
according to a dispatch received last
night.
They say that most ball players are
UnappreciatiVe; that they quickly forget
old friends or those who have rendered
favors, but in the case of Ray Morgan
the exception TO the rule prevails.
The writer cannot remember a single
trip to Boston during the past three
years that Morgan has not slipped away
from his pals and dropped in for brief
chat with Duke Farrell.
Il owe the Duke something for get
ting me out Of the Virginia League; he
wouldn't take money or presents, be-
/
Washington ball club. but it don't cost
anything to chat with the ''old boy
when I am in Boston, and as long as he
is in that city l shall always call" said
Morgan.
Now there is appreciation for you,
boys.
1t is probably not generally known
that the Nationals came within an ace
.F NJ that huf for
the fact that Arthur Cooper, scout
of the Boston Red Sox, missed a
train. Morgan might have been hold
ing down second base for the SoN.
Morgan's work with the Danvilie
club Of the Virginia League in 1911
attracted the attention of several big
league club owners. Jimmy McAleer,
in charge of affairs in Washington
during that year. happened 10 see
Duke Farrell. who was scouting Tor
a National League club.
If you run across any infelders
you can't use and think hey might
be able to help my club Just tip me
off and | will see that you are paid
for your work providing the player
or players make good" was the in
struCtions given to Rarrel
In due course of time Farrell wrote
to McAleer regarding Morgan and Nc
AIeer bought him from the Darville
club.
The sale had grown cold when Ar
thur Cooper, representing the Bos-
ton Red Sox, breezed into Danville
to get d look at Morgan. only to find
that his bird had flown. Cooper missed
connections, lost the last train out of
Washington, and was forced to wait
over here one day.
that he had disposed of another pair
of young pitchers. Buck Barton. the
Washington boy. and Harry Hedge
peth, who was purchased in 1918 from
the Virginia League, have been sold
to the Scranton club of the New York
State League.
Hedgepeth and Barton were will,
the Virginia League clubs last season
and the Washington club held strings
to them. Barton early last season
was given a short trial with the San
Francisco club of the Pacific Coast
League, but was sent back and fin
ished the summer with Newport News.
Hedgepeth had a poor season in the
Virginia circuit, but was not in TIE
best of health He has written Grif
that he is now in condition and can
hold his own with any Class B or
Eanization in baseball
The Scranton club is managed ny
Bill CouShlin, former Washington and
Detroit intielder
Old Washington fans like Bill
Dwyer. Bob Barr. and others will tell
you that no better catcher ever wore
a mask than this same Duke Farrell.
who drew wages from the Washing
ton club back in 1896. and that Far
rell was the idol of the fans.
From New York comes the story
that Farrell will more than likely be
the coach for the Yankees this seasoG