New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-27
Man Who Was Idol of Giant
Rooters for Years Gets
Cordial Welcome

Laughing Larry Doyle is name New
York can never forget. 1t is entwined
around that of John Joseph McGraw
and the Giants who have added that
touch of distinction which is the due
of the worlds greatest metropolis.
No more will the ringing bat OF
Laughing Larry rap out base hits in
New York's cause. He has gone to
other fields. Only last week was Larry
back in enemy garb with the Cubs,
trying with might and main to tear
up the machine for which he fought
so CALAMITY ten summers. And though,
in New York, the Cubs must always
carry respect tempered with the hate
Of keen rivalry. patrons OF the Polo
Grounds can regard Doyle only in the
light of the most lovable respect.
New York, above all cities, cherlshes
its heroes. During his reign among US
Laughing Larry Doyle proved too often
his high sense of sportsmanship, fair
play and patriotism ever to raise the
slightest breath of retribution.
Name a BywOrd
The name of Larry Doyle is by
word in every home of America that
shelters a boy of the baseball playing
age. His picture is as familiar in the
country's cross-corners and hamlets as
is the face of Chris Kringle on Christ
mas posters. And in the homes where
there are no little boys, where the big
boys and the grown-ups digest their
baseball with less exuberance, Laugh
ing Larry has his place in the heart
80, 70 Of ha
present-from Radbourne and Dele
kanty down through Lajoie, Wagner,
Cobb and Speaker.
Lawrence Doyle (Larry's real name
is Lawrence) is 100 per cent pure gen.
tleman and good fellow. His is a
charming personality; magnetism
that reaches the heart of the stranger
in the further shady corner Of the
bleachers. Doyle has yet to hear the
first catcall, the first cry of derision.
The wise old heads of the game
men like McGraw, Wilbert Robinson,
Hugh Jennings and Joe Kelley-will
tell you that the diamond never pro-
duced a player so universally loved by
the fraternity as this sunny-disposi-
toned, mild hammered gentleman from
Illinois.
at breaks my heart to part with
Larry" said McGraw when he was trad
ing the Giant captain to Chicago for
Heine Zimmerman. But sentiment has
no part in the game. Still. if ] did not
believe the change would do more good
for DOYLE than it will do for the Giants
| should never consent 10 the transfer.
Larry has been too much and done too
much ever to be forgotten
Some of his friends and admirers
gave Larry a dinner at Ed Terp's road
house last week. In the cou,se of the
evening one of his newspaper friends
jokingly referred TO Doyle's debut with
the Giants. back in July, of 1907.
Doyle's premier was anything but i'm
pressive to the minds of the critical
fans, though he bore such good face
in his shortcomings that his errors
were laughed away. And errors he had
a-plenty. He topped the climax by
chasing the winning run across the
plate trying to run down a foeman.
Larry Gets Reminiscent
"I'll never forget that game" said
DOYLE, "and just what il meant to me.
| was out before that big crowd as II
in a dream. Every bobble | made
pictured an angry McGraw ready to
tear ME lltuU liOiii liihO WV
house. Mac had reputation for slave
driving out in the sticks. | worried
about BY faults till was ready to stink
away to the clubhouse to pack my grip
for home. When Mac didn't jump on
my face on the bench | thought he was
smothering his anger for an artistic
demonstration in the clubhouse.
But do you know the climax to that
afternoon of nightmare more than any
other thing was responsible for What
success | have had in the National
League When it was all over and we
were back in the clubhouse, McGraw
came up and slapped me on the back
in the spirit Of best fellowship.
"Never mind. kid he said. en-
couragingly, "a tomorrow is coming.
You'll do for me. The fellow who
tries his best always is fellow who
viii make errors"
1t did not take Larry Doyle long to