New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-25
EDWARD BARROW
D[SCOVERER OF
HONUS WAGNER
international League President
Responsible for Rise Of
Pittsburgh'S Idol

Pittsburg, Feb. 24.-John Henry
(Honus) Wagner to-day celebrated his
forty-third birthday. On February "a,
1874. in Mansfield, Penn, was born the
man who has come to be known almost
wherever the game is played as the
grand old man of baseball" Though far
past the age when most baseball play
crs retire, Wagner to-day was planning
his twenty-frst major league season.
Baseball fans Of Pittsburgh tonight
celebrated Wagner's birthday with a
banquet in his honor at the William Penn
Hotel. Among the speakers at the ban.
quet were John K. Tener, president OF
the National League; John j. EVers,
Boston National second baseman; Ma
poleon Lajoie, manager of the Toronto
international League club; Edward g..
Barrow. president of the international
League; Fred Clarke, former manager
of the Pittsburgh Nationals; Barney
Dreyfus. president OF the Pittsburgh
National League club, and August
Hermann. chairman of the National
Baseball Commission.
Barrow Among Guests
Among the guests of honor at the
Hans Wagner dinner was Edward
G.. Barrow, the man who had much TO
do in the development of Pittsburgh's
distinguished veteran Of the diamond.
Ed Barrow, who now is president OF
the International League, is one Of the
best known magnates in the minors-in
fact, his name also is familiar around
the larger circuit, for he managed the
Detroit Americans throughout 1908 and
a portion of the season OF 1904. In
1895 Barrow. who was then pilot OF the
Atlantic League team at Paterson,
n. j., received tip which resulted in
the capture Of the man who soon after
ward became the recognized star among
all the baseball sparklers.
Barrow and Charles Mckee had just
formed partnership and purchased the
Paterson franchise. While they were
on the lookout for players Barrow
came across one OF his Pittsburgh
friends one evening. "Pll tell you
where you can find a young fellow"
said the Pittsburgher, "who is going TO
become the best player in baseball.
His home il in n little town called
Mansfield, about nine miles west Of the
Smoky City. His name is John Wagner,
and they call him Hans for short Take
my advice and get this boy without
delay"
Tip Didn't Impress
The tip did not greatly impress Bar
row, for he had seen Wagner playing
in the old Iron and Oil League the
previous summer, and his work at that
time was not attracting much atten-
ton. However, the man who now rec
commended the youngster was con-
sidered a good judge of baseball talent,
and Barrow decided to look into the
matter. He started in the direction OF
Mansfield, which now is known as Car
nege.
On his arrival there Barrow inquired
as to the whereabouts of Hans Wag-
ner. The proprietor Of a small pool
room told him that Hans had gone
down to the railroad to play ball. It
turned out that the boys had decided
TO settle a dispute as to which could
throw the farthest. Instead Of ball
they were using rocks. Needless 10 say
Wagner won.
Went After Hans
No sooner had the youngsters fin
ished their sport than Barrow went to
Wagner, and after congratulating him
upon his excellent work commenced
negotiations for the services OF young
Hans. The boys bashfulncss finally
wore away and he was induced to sign
up for the season of 1895 with Pater-
son. lie started at a sensational clip
and finished with batting average OF
.377. leading the sluggers OF the old
Atlantic circuit. His brilliant work had
attracted the attention Of Barney Drey-
fuss, who then owned the Louisville
club Of the National League, and the
Colonies were successful in purchasing
the Flying DutchmAn from Paterson.