The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-06
PLAGUE GRIPS
''OLD MASTER"
Mathewson, Idol of Baseball
World, in Fight With
Dread Disease.


NEW YORK, Aug, s,--Christy Math-
ewson, for years the idol OF lovers OF
baseball everywhere, Is reported serl-
onsly III from tuberculosis at saranac
Lake. N. Y.
Chrlsty Mathewson is one Of the most
picturesque and highly honorod men
the game Of professional baseball ever
produced. MathewRun helped win
Championships In 1904. 1905, 1911, 1912
and 1918 for the Giants.
Mathewson, who was graduated from
Bucknel university. and who was an
illustrious star for his alma mater on
diamond and gridiron, broke into pro-
fessiona baseball with the Taunton
club, OF the New England league, In
1898. In 1900. with the Norfolk club, Of
the Virginia league, he won IL games
and lost only two. Purchased by the
Giants that year. Mathewson lost three
games and was returned to Norfolk
He was drafted that fall by Cincinnati,
but before the season OF 1901 wan traded
by Cincinnati TO New York for Amos
Rusie.
When Mathewson first came 10 New
York Horace Fogel was manager, and
II is said, attempted To make = first
baseman out Of Matty. Mcdraw moved
up from Baltimore to take charge Of
the Giants and he was not long In de-
termlning Mathewson's proper sphere
Almost Immediately MAtty, as he IL
known 10 the baseball world became
the great master Of all the pitchers.
In his early career Mathewson was
pOBsessed OF terrific speed as well as
fast curve, His control was uncan-
ny II was ability 10 put the ball wher-
ever he cared that made him a wig
ard. though some managers Insisted his
control was too perfect that as he
seldom issued a pass or HIT batter,
all opponent batted against him without
fear OF personal injury. Toward tho
close Of his wonderful career with the
Giants Mathewson developed his cole
hrated "fadeaway." the forerunner Of
the emery ball, shine ball and kindred
freak deliveries, which since have been
barred. Mathcwson, however, used no
foreign substance on tho ball
Mathewson and Joe MeGlnnity won n
worlds series from the Athletics in
1905. The Athletics avenged themselves
AT the expense OF New York in 1911 ana
1918. but through no fault Of MAttys 3,
In the worlds series OF 1919 with the
RED sox. that went to eight games be.
cause OF one tie, Mathewson pitched
the very best ball Of his career, though
twice beaten by errors
For 10 years ttrom 1909 to 1914 In
clusiyel Mathewson was one Of the most
celebrated figures OF the game. In the
spring of 1914 while he was stll little
past the zenith Of his career he was
stricken with shoulder Affliction that
specialists never could diagnosc--some-
thing like neuritis--and which impaired
his effectiveness TO SUCH an extent that
he pitched few games afterward,
on July 20, 1916, at time when the
Giants were In a bad slump, Matty
was traded to Cincinnati with Nc
Keehnie, Rousch and cash for Heroes
and Wade killter. lie was traded only
that he might manage the Reds which
he did until the middle Of the 1918 sea
son, when he went to France as an
army captain, Before he returned IN
Tho spring OF 1919 Pat Moran had been
appointed manager OF the Reds. Nc
Draw Immediately engaged his once
star pitcher to assist him with the al.
ants, which position Matty held until
no left for SRranae Lake few weeks
ago