The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-07-21
JOHN EYERs, THE KEYSTONE KING, g
 YEARS OLD TODAY

If the city of Troy ever erects a4f1alI of fame, there will be no lack of can didates for it's various niches. for the New York State town claims many nIustrfous sons. First the foremost, in the place of honor, will be the memorial to the gink who first per- suaded mankind that it is desirable and proper to eucase their necks in linen armor, for the collar industry is Troy's principal excuse for exist encex Another niche will be set aside for that illustrious Trojan. John Car mel Keenan, tn Beenicia Boy. who went to England and fougth for the worlds championship with Tom Say4s CTS John Morrissey. another heavy weight chan1pion of the early days of the American ring, also hailed from Troy. There should also be places set aside for McGeary. McMul1en, Fisher York, and the other members Of the Troy Haynakers, in the early days of the greatest of baseball clubs. Last but not least, a place is assured to John J. Evers. for the Keystone King is a native Trojan and still makes his home in the Collar City.
 Evers will be thirty-two years old today having been born on July H. 1883z The man who has been one of the shining stars of the National League since he joined the Cubs dozen years ago started his baseball career in his native city. After three months with Troy he was purchased by Chicago. and after helping the. Cubs to win four pennants, and man aging the club in 1913, he went over to Boston in time to take part in an other worlds series.
 It was on a, September night in 19o2. that Johnny Evers, pet and pride of the Trojan club, climbed aboard a train which was totake him from. Troy to Chicago. fame and fortune! A bunch of Troy players and friends gathered to see him off, but there were thousands to greet him when next he returned to the town he has always called home. It was in 1908 that F1vers was given his first triumph al procession in Troy. Governor Hughes hAppened to be in town at the time. and he thought the demon stration was for him, but he was soon disilIusioned. After the last worlds series Evers was given another triumph in Troy. and Roman com mander, returning to the Eternal City at the head of his legfons after vic torious captain and loaded with loot, never received a more enthusiastic greeting.
 As a boy Eyers was inclined to be sickly, and he has never wholly over come this Tendency, for on several occasions he has been inca pacitated for playing by illness His first job was in a collar factory at a salary of $4 per week. Since the days of the old Haymalzers, who aroused such baseball enthusiasm that Troy was for a time represented in the National League, the Collar City has been a red hot baseball town, and Johnny natur- ally took to the game
 Two famous stbones'' figure in Jol1nny's baseball history The first was in 1908, when, by touching sec ond base, he forced Merlzle out and won the hannpionship for the Cubs. The other tsbone"t was the first and only important one the quick-witted diamond strategist ever pulled That was in the last worlds series, when Eyers apparently went to sleep at the switch and held the ball while a man sneaked across the plate. That nearly broke his heart. and there were tears in his eyes when he went to the bench, but his teammates showed such hearty good will that be quickly re- covered his nerve, and was langley in strumental in saving the game.