The Washington times., 1920-02-25

Robinson broke in with the old
Athletics OF the American Associa-
ton, the rival major to the National
League in its day, on April 10. 1856.
The game was played in Philadelphia,
the opponent of the Athletics being
the famous Nets" (Metropolitans)
of New York, who at that time were
New York's favorites.
The following brief description Of
Uncle Wilbert's first big league game
Is splendid specimen of old-time
baseball writing.
THE home club could do nothing
with Cushman. while Kennedy was
also very effective, hence the batting
was light. The Nets outplayed their
opponents in the field. The visitors
got two runs in the first inning; a hit
and a tumble by Kennedy gave Nell
son and Orr bases, and both scored
on wild pitch and passed ball.
Nelson Steals Second.
Nelson made a clean steal to sec
ond in the third. and went to third
on Larkin's muff Of Orr's line fly hit
and scored on Roseman's sharp hit to
Bauer. Brady hit for three bases in
the fourth inning, and scored on Lar
kins muff OF Hankinson's. high fly.
tOld Larkin must have had quite a
day.)
THE Athletics scored only in the
seventh inning, Robinson scoring on
an error by Foster and two wild
pitches"
Anyway Robby gets some kind Of
honorable mention in the lead.
As matter OF fact old rotund Will
bert was quite an important factor
with the Athletics that day. He
scored Philadelphia's only run, made
one of the three hits off Cushman,
made two of the Athletics seven err
rors. stole base and let in a run on
a passed ball. Outside Of that Robby
didn't do a thing.
Robinson really was no mean per-
former on the base-paths when he was
a younster. Recently he told an in
tcresting experience that happened to
him shortly after he broke in with
the old Athletics in 1855.
Fined for "sIeepinx.-
He was taking quite a long lead
burgh. and Jimmy Calvin noted for
his ability to pick runners off FIRST
base, caught Robby mapping. Harry
Stovey. Captain OF the Athletics, and
the most famous base runner OF his
day. was incensed at the youngster,
and yelled out to him, THAT sleep will
stand you s25, Kid"
Later in the game Calvin caught
Stovey mapping twice. In leaving the
field after the game. Stovey beckoned
to the young catcher. Never mind
about that fine, Kid" he said apollo
getically, 1.-THE best of us get caught
at times"
Two years later Stovey established
the major league record for stolen
bases with 1856. also made with the
old Athletics in 1883. When a base
runner like>Stovey got caught nap
ping twice in one game, he could af-
ford to be generous. Robinson,
though you wouldn't believe IL today.
was basebalrs fastest catcher in those
days, and in one season with the Ath-
leiics he stole iS bases.
He's New Englander.
Though Robby is generally associ-
ated with Baltimore and has made
his home there for many years, he is
New Highlander, being born in Hud-
son, Mass, on January 20. 1864.
One of the first places in which he
attracted fame as catcher was at
Haverhill, where in 1884 and 1885 he
caught John Kinley Tener. later Gov
crnor of Pennsylvania and President
OF the National League.
Tener was president OF the National
League in 1915, when Robinson's
Dodgers won the National League
pennant. In congratulating Robby.
Tener expressed his happiness that
his former Haverhill battery mate
should win the National League cham
ponship while he was president OF
tho league.
Robinson, in the ninctics, was rec
nj pi1nd n n Tho pFrn,inr -
crs of tho game, and with McGraw.
Jennings. Keller and Kelley, formed
the nucleus OF Ned Hanlons famous
Baltimore Oriolo champions OF 1924.
1895 and 1900.
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