New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-24

gather two. and Marshall, the utility
man. had q bad day a. shortstop. The
next afternoon | was in mis- loD and 0ur
team got beaten again, Dui / fecaH
something which occurred on TINS da>
that has always stuck in my memoir.
A PLAYER on the Cuban Giants nance
Hill poked out home run with three
men on the bases. and they all waited
al third for him 20 catch up. since
there was no chance of stopping MN
after the ball went over the fence
The four runners lockstepped across
the plate. singing in quartet forma-
tion. and the act got &. great laugh out
Of the few shivering spectators present.
The season was due to open the next
/ day, and Bacon begged me TO play
until Pugh showed up or until he coulo
get some satisfactory man TO take ms
/ place 20 help him out of the hole. !
{ told Bacon that | would work until the
absent player appeared. Luck was still
with me. and ! had a good day at
/ shortstop in the opening game, my
scrap book showing me that l MADE
three hits, six putouts and six assists'
but the Troy team lost, 70 :.
In those days a man could play three
games in the league without signing a
T..
second one Of the season. Il was then
that Bacon urged that ] should become
a regular.
Why not, Johnny" he asked. "You
can hold the pace all right"
"l'm afraid about playing every day
I told him. 81 would hate to start and
not make good"
well. I'll give you contract that
calls for $50 month"
So went to work for $50 a month,
and played along until July, when an
outlaw league in the northern part OF
New York State offered me Sl50 a
month 10 play in Plattsburg.
told Bacon about this, and my next
check was for S75. instead OF $50,
without anything being said about IT.
was a minor a. this time, so that
could not really sign contract which
would stand, and the club officials
after my outlaw offer. got my father
20 meet them, and he arranged new
contract for me which called for SlOu
a month.
Johnny" and His Father.
When was playing in Troy, ! al.
ways put on my uniform a. home, anC
my street clothes over it. ] slipped Oh
the clothes after | reached the park
and my father would always 90 up or
the hill TO the ball game with me Il
sit in the sunshine and watch the team
play. He was pretty much Of an in
valid At the time. II was an afternoon
in August that ! had one Of the worst
DAYS since breaking into the league
That night my father said:
John he always called me John
81 guess ] won't 90 out 10 the game!
any more"
"Why not" | asked him.
81 was sitting behind d fellow 20
dav who roasted you very strong. anC
was not in shape 10 take II up Will
him. could not stand 10 hear him.
He never went 20 the ball parl
again, and 10 was great disappoint
ment 20 me. for one Of the reasons
why had turned down the offer from
Plsttsburg was because | wanted 4
play with the team representing m,
home town so my father could 20 Z
the games
His health gradually failed after this
and / refused 20 make the next tril
with the team because he was IN eucl
bad shane BY this time. He died on
hour before the Troy team arrive
home on the train after swinging
around the State League circuit. II
had gon, on that trip would hav
been away at the end often ] looSe'
for the fan" who had knocked" M
and spoiled my fathers little pleasure
and sunshine, but failed to find him.
After my fathers death ! did no
care much about continuing with th'
Troy team, so 1t was welcome news in
way when Bacon told me that he ha'
sold one OF our pitchers, named Hardy
20 the Cubs. then under Selee, and tina
he had told the Chicago manager M
would send me along 20 help out
Bobby" Lowe. the shortstCp % Tn
Cubs, had hur; his knee. and the clui
was shy an iufelder. Hardy WAS SOLE
for 81 300. and Selee agreed % mel
The Troy club cheek for S25'
= ne decided 20 keep me. That check
} ~ hs tsy. vas never sent. But a