The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-06-06
LIVE TALES OF THE DIAMOND 1890: e. z4Hz e@3y
THEY may say baseball is the
same in the minor leagues that

SdlllC III TIC llilliOl iSd6uSS sho
it is in the big leagues, but any
old ball player or manager knows bet
ter. Where the difference comes in
however, is in the greater excellence
and unity OF the major players,
speed, a daring. finish that can be
acquired only in competition with ont
another.
/ thought of this when | led my
party into Morrisey's private box ir
the grandstand of the Chicago Ameri'
can League grounds. We had come to
see the Rube's break into fast COM
pany. My great pitcher, Whitaker
Hurtle, the Rube, as we called him.
had won the Eastern League Pennant
for me that season, and Morrisey, the
Chicago magnate, had bought him
Milly, my afianced, was with me
looking as happy as she was pretty;
and she was chaperoned by her
mother, Mrs. Nelson.
With me, also, were two veterans
of nv team, Mccall and Spears, who
lived in Chicago, and who would have
travelled a few miles to see the Rube
pitch. And the other member OF my
party was Mrs. Hurtle, the Rube's
wife, as saucy and as sparkllng-cyed
as when she had been Nan Brown.
Today she wore new tailor-made
gown, new bonnet, new gloves-she
said she had decorated herself in a
manner BETTING the wife OF a major
league pitcher.
Morrisey's box was very comfort
able, and, as l was pleased to note,
so situated that we had a fine view
of the field and stands, and yet were
comparatively secluded. The bleach
.rs were filling. Some of the Chicago
PLAYERS were on the field tossing and
batting balls; the RUDE, however, had
not yet appeared.
A moment later metallic sound
was heard on the stairs leading up
into the box. | knew it for baseball
spiked shoes clanking on the wood.
The Rube, looking enormous in his
uniform, stalked into the box, knock
ing over two chairs as he entered. He
carried a he1der's glove in one huge
freckled hand, and a big black bat in
the other.
Nan, with much dignity and very
manifest pride, introduced him to
Mrs Nelson.
There was a little chatting, and
then, upon the arrival of Manager
Morrisey, we men retired to the back
Of the box to talk baseball.
Chicago was in fourth place in the
league race, and had fighting chance
20 beat Detroit out for the third po-
sition. Philadelphia was scheduled for
that day, and Philadelphia had a
great team. 1t was leading the race,
and almost beyond all question would
and the flag In truth, only one more
rictorv was needed to clinch the pen
liant. The team had three games to
olav in Chicago and it was to wind
up the season with three in Wash
ngton. Six games to play and only
one impcratively important to win!
But baseball is uncertain, and until
he Philadclphians won that game
hey would be band OF fends.
We'll, Whit, this is where you
break in" said. Now, tip us
straight. You've had more than a
weeks rest How'S that ARM"
Grand. Con. grand replied the
Rube with his frank smile. Il was a
ittle anxious till | warmed up. But
say! I've got more up my sleeve to-
lay than l ever had"
"That'I1 do for me-" said Morrisey,
.ubbing his hands. "I'll spring some
hing on these swellcd Ouakers today.
Now, Connolly, give Hurtlc one of
sour old talks-the last one-and
hen ] ii ring the gong.
added some words OF encourage
nent, not forgetting my old ruse to
ncitc the RUDE by rousing his tenn
Der. And then, as the gong rang and
he RUDE was departing. Nan stepped
Onward for her say. There was lit
lie white under the tan on her cheek,
md her eyes had darkling fash.
whit. it's magnificent sight
hat beautiful green field and the
stands. What a crowd OF fans! Why, |
I never saw real baseball crowd be-
ore. There arc twenty thousand here |
And there's difference in the feel
ng. It's sharpcr-new to me. It's big |
caguc baseball Not a soul in that
:rowd ever heard OF you, but, l be-
ieve, tomorrow the whole baseball |
world will have heard OF you. Mr..
Morrisey knows. | saw it in his face.
captain Spears knows. Connie knows.
know"
Then she lifted her face and, pull
ng him down within reach, she kiss
ID HIM Nan took her husbands work
n dead earnest: she gloried in it, and
perhaps she had as much to do with
making him a great pitcher as any
If us.