The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-04
Roger Bresnahan,
 Pilot of Cubs, Is3a Native of Dublin

 ou1d Sod have given not a few stars to the American diamond and ring, and not the least celebrated of these adopted Americans is Roger Bresna- han, the new pilot of the Cubs. Roger was born in Dublin-town on May 4, 1877, which would make him thirty eight years ago today, according to our staff mathematician. It must be said, however, that there are also sta was born in 1880. In any event. the Cub chieftain has been playing major league baseball about as long as the present-day crop of fans can remem- Der. This season is his eighteenth in the main show, as it was in 1S9 z that he made his major league debut with Washington, then in the National League. Prior to that he had played with the Lima, O., club, and with, several semi i-professionaI outfits Bresnahan was only a wee kid when his parents toted him to Amer lea He took to baseball as naturally as any native son-most Irish men do, for that matter-and. he was<a back lot star before he had reached his teens. In those days Rogers ambi- ton centered in the pitchers box, and it was his fame as a twirler on the management to put him in fast com pany.
 And he was some pitcher, Clarence believe muh! He joined Washington late in the 1867 season, and that an mum he twirled in seven pastimes and won only six of them. In his first time out under the main tent he shut l out St. Louis, the score being to O. St. Louis made only six singles off his delivery. As a hurler Roger had speed to spare. but, like the scelebrat- ed Mr. Donovan now chief of the Ie5 a0fa thing that could be desired His wi1dness got no better fast, and at the close of the season his career as a major league pitcher was over. The fans attributed his victories to the good work of the Washington ffefders and luck. and dubbed him Horse shoe'' Bresnahan.
 Tn 1901 Roger was given a trial by the Baltimore club of the American League of which John McGraw was the manager. Muggsy put Bresnahan behind the bat, and he developed into a fairly good catcher, although his I reputation as a backstop was not 1 made esuntiI some years later. The fol- lowing year McGraw used the Irish man in various infield and outfie1d positions. When McGraw went to New York in 1902, he took Bresna- han with him. During his first sea- sons with the Giants Roger played principally in the outer gardens, and it was not until 1905 that he again put on the mask. This time he was ripe for the job, and in a single sea- l son he Jumped into fame as one of
 the greatest backstops in captivity. Bresnahan was Mathewson's receiver
 in the worlds series of that year. and the pair of 'em hung up record that
 is hard to beat. In 1907 Roger was
 nearly killed by wild piaeh by Andy
 Coakley, of the Reds. andfor Q time l it was feared that he wouldn't pull
 through.
 In 1908 Bresnahan was at his best, and caught nearly every game the 1 Giants played. The following year 1 Roger was offered the job of man
 ager of the Cardinals, and was traded
 to St. Louis, McGraw getting in re-
 turn "Red" Murray, the outfielder
 and three beavers, F'romrne, Beebe 1 and Bugs Raymond, of blessed | memory. After couple of years, ot
 hard and patient work Roger sue | ceeded in building up a club which | made a strong bid for the pennant but a rajIroad accident caused the | Cards to lose their stride. After his
 experience as manager of the Cards
 Roger went to Chicago, where he has
 now been entrusted with the job o1
 trying to restore the shattered glory l of the Infant Bears.