Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-23
FAILED and TRIED AGAIN
OLD BIKE SPRlNTER LOST
ANNUAL SIx.DAY CONTEST
Frank Kramer Came Back in Sprint
With Greatest Performance OF
Twenty-Year Career

NEW YORK, December 22.-Old
frank Kramer. for twenty years the
icol OF the bugs who follow the bike
racers. recently won the national in
door sprint championship in great
match race at Madison Square Garden.
lie defeated Artie Spencer. who
wrcstcd the outdoor sprint title from
MN last summer. and he wore down
such riders as Goullett, Madonna and
Ncrri.
The winning OF the indoor sprint
'itle is a tribute to tho old bike star;
tribute that deserves more than
usual mention, for it goes to show
what great champion he was and
how great he still ranks among the
stars of his game
The bike bugs felt a pang of sorrow
Tor Kramer when lie was forced to
drop out Of the annual six day race
lie rode as long as his wiry old legs
would carry him. but his trainers
finally failed in their efforts to rub the
links out OF those once powerful and
'reless legs. and Kramer dropped out
II the money.
Then. after rest Of three days, he
rode I'm tho special sprint match for
the indoor title and carried II of with
one OF the greatest performances OF his
career.
Kramer is one Of Tho "old mon" OF
sports who can still compete with
youth and come off to,ing the laurcls
lie might not do II consistently any
more. but at odd times he will hold
his own and then some with the
youngsters OF the bike game.
lie owes his su cess in the game
TO clean living. lie has always been
referred TO as one of the clcancst
champions in the realm OF sports, and
his reward has been both fame and
fortune.
There arc a number OF other a,b.
ietes who have treated old Pop Time
with as great disrespect as has Kramer
lhercs old George Bothner the
wrestler. for one. George engaged in
ms first wrestling match away back
IN lss5-nore than thirty years ago
and while he doesn't go in for title
events any more. he Is still in the
wrestling game and INDUCES in il
month in and month out. He recently
defeated Jack Ninet, much younger
man. Just to'show that he is still there
Honus Wagner though he did not
play many games Of baseball this year
was still good enough to draw n salary
from the Pittsburgh club. nd who
knows tho ancient Honus may be
tempted TO try II again.
w. n. Larned who has been PLAYING
III championship tennis tournaments
r'nco 1900. received congratulations
from a host OF net stars for the show
ing he made in tho patriotic doubles
and singles events this year, and no
was among the stars in tho mctropoli-
tan events
Aitred de Orc came back By winning
the thrcc-cushion billiard title awav
from hob 'anncfax. OF 81. Louis. after
IN" Younger star had taken i, from
'harics McCourt. Dc ORC lost tho bill
nara crown TO George Moore. who in
turn lost 10 McCourt. Dc orc Is stiil
IN" best In the world because he ~
consistently great. They don't grow
en- like De Orc. He gets better with
agc.
There arc others who Nigh. be men
.i"hon az sportsmen who soon at Ole
iop Time. and. though tho old adage
about youth being served is all 10 tho
merry as rule. these Old timers arc
vivid exceptions to that rule.