The Washington times., 1919-02-24

erably since Patsy Tebeau and his
Cleveland Spiders used to take wal
lOps at everybody on the other side,
but many players still in the ranks
have demonstrated their ability in
Gstics. Others have been credited
with ability, although seldom prov
ing It.
Eddie Ainsmith. the backstop re-
Gently traded by the Griffmen to De-
troit via Boston, long held the re-
spect Of American Leaguers without
ever showing his actual ability. Then
one day in Detroit he broke loose and
swatted a giant, knocking him down,
and his fame was settled.
Ainsmith also figured in a scrap in
Georgetown one day when he leaped
upon a big mOtorman for an alleged
insult and made him a candidate for
hospital
The last fght Ainsmith had occurred
in the clubhouse last summer and re-
suited In his being traded. The scrap
py catcher walIoped one Of GrifFs best
and handsomest pitchers. uniting
him for immediate duty.
EIberfeId was There.
In the early years Of the American
League, Norman EIberfeId had a rspu-
tation for being q scrapper, though 10
must be admitted that most OF his
scraps were wOrdy affairs with UNI
! pires. But the "Tabasco Kid" as he
was then known, built up a Reputation
for cockiness on the base lines, ana
he would tackle any opponent, no
matter how big he might be.
Detroit boasted Of the best scrappeT
in baseball when Charlie Schmidt was
backstopping for Donovan and Mullin.
Schmidt could whip almost every
player in the circuit in rough-and-
tumble and so good was he that he
even tried his luck in the ring, though
without much success.
Following Schmidt, George Mori-
aTty, now an umpire OF increasing
value with each season, carried the
banner for Detroit MOriarty was
clever and could hit, while his general
liking for rough stuff made him
feared
DevIln Faced q Mob.
Arthur Devlin, who was a football
and baseball star at Georgetown be-
fore becoming a high-class third
sacker with the New York Giants, also
ranked as one of the best scrappers
in baseball. We saw him beat up an
Atlanta player in 1911. facing a MOP
to do so, too. He was built right for
the ring, having height, reach and
weight to assist a quick eye and ter
rife hitting ability.
Many tales are heard among bail
players OF "Husk" Chances scrappi-
ness. 1t is even whispered that he
became so disgusted with the show
ing made by Jim Corbett one night
that he openly challenged the worlds
champion to rough-and-tumble
set-to.
Among present-day managers,
George Stallings and Ed Barrow, both
with Boston clubs, made regulations
in their earlier days for their game
ness and ability with their fists.
stayed To the Finish.
Old Detroit fans we'll recall the
day that George Stallings, then a
catcher with the Tigers. faced a mob
and battled to the end though both
of his hands were broken. Ed Bar
row, another old Detroiter. also fig
Ured in several scraps that earned
for him a certain glory.
''Muggsy" .MCGraw, now vice presi-
dent and manager Of the Giants, dur
ing his playing days was among the
most aggressive of athletes, being the
center OF many battles when with the
old Baltimore Orioles. AS a manager,
however. his fights have been rather
fnrcical Usually e,has been on the
receiving end, Lord Byron, the UNI
pire being the last to gain a decis-
ion over him.
Greasy" Neale. the Reds out
fielder with a football reputation at
Virginia Wesleyan University, fought
three battles last summer, losing one
when Fred TOney put him away for
the count.
Billy Evans Clever.
Billy Evans, the American League
Beau Brummel umpire, is said to be
a clever boxer, devOting many hours
TO this sport during the winter at
the Cleveland A. c. He has never
had an occasion to prove 1t, though,
most players remembering those
fines Ban Johnson plasters on scrap
py players.
4 laughable incident took place a
few years ago when Doc Ayers, the
Griffmen's big pitcher, decided he
would take a punch at Evans.
Ayers is a big man and, like most OF
them. retiring and quiet. But that
day he was "all het up and he
started for Evans as soon as the
game was ended.
To Ayers surprise. Evans was
waiting and ready to come half way.
Clark Griffith, remembering his duty
at all times. inteTfered. and Evans
lost his opportunity 10 prove to
flock of players and a couple OF
scribes just what he could do.