The Washington times., 1921-02-14
DUCK IS QUACKED
OUT Of BASEBALL
Martin Had Speed and Curves,
But Couldn't Stand the
Jeering.

Martin Duck was a famous hurler
who cut a wide swath In minor
league baseball from 1887 until 1894.
Duck was so good that he received
many trials by big league managers.
perhaps as many as Grover Louder
milk ever received. Duck failed TO
stick, but Il wasn't because he lacked
ability. for ne had binding speed and
wonderful curves.
When he began his professional
career down In his own country.
which happened to be the Buckeye
State. Duck had fine control. but his
name was Duck and therein lies the
reason why Mr.. Duck. who at first
WAS a tame duck, became a wild one.
Ducks work was so good In his
home circuit that he was signed by
the Minneapolis club, ,but he was
quacked TO death and Martin was
ready TO quit. The manager OF the
Minneapolis club, who was the famous
Tim Hurst suggested to Duck that
ne change his name and mentioned
that Drake would sound more digni-
ned.
Duck came back by saying that
brakes were there with that quack
stun. Some one suggested the name
OF Duke, and while IL was quite a
stride from a duck to duke, II was
settled that Martin Duck should be
renamed Duke, and II soon grew into
the high-sounding title OF the "Duke
OF Minneapolis"
BRILLIANT WORK IN 1890.
The work OF Duke In 1890 was as
brilliant as any ever recorded in a
minor league. Minneapolis and Kansas
City had maintained a terrific pace
for first honors and as the season
grew older the struggle became more
intense.
When the Millers were due to play
the last series in the Missouri city,
and IL was the series that would de-
eide the pennant. excitement was at
high ebb. The name OF Duke was on
every lip, for he had lost only one
game in the last fifteen.
His game pitched before his advance
on Kansas City was against Denver.
in which he famed eighteen batsmen.
eleven out of the first twelve who
faced him.
In spite Of this phenomenal work
the fans and players of Kansas City
were determined to win that series,
and to win it they had to overcome
the Duke OF Minneapolis"
Elmer Smith, who In later years
became one Of the games greatest
batsmen, was the star hurler for the
Blue and a former big league star
In the hurling game. Martin Duke
and Elmer Smith faced the bats
men of the opposing teams in the
opener and. as surmised, the Min
neapolis terror was there with both
feet and in spite Of the fact that
he was greeted by 1000 horn blow
ers and the yells from 1000 more
wild-eyed fans, he whitfield the first
three batsmen.
Just as he was about to deliver
the first ball in the second inning
he heard a quack and on looking
around saw a fat duck waddling
toward him wearing the uniform of
the Minneapolis club, as nearly as
one could be made to At 1t.
If ever a hurler made an ascen-
sion the Duke of Minneapolis" made
one, The game was farce after
that. the Blues making seven runs
in the four innings that were played,
for the game broke up in a row in
the sixth.
Some rowdy hit Tim Hurst in the
eye with big quid of tobacco and
Tim, madder than a hornet, began
rumpus in his endeavors to get
at the fellow who threw the to-
bacco. Minneapolis lost the series
and the pennant, but Duke wasn't
blamed for it,
1t was a remarkable record that
Duke made in 1890 for Minneapolis.
In thirty-three games he famed 293
batsmen and issued 160 passes. An
son, of the Chicago Nationals, signed
him for 1891, but Duke was impos-
sible in the big show with the
memories Of that game fresh in the
minds OF the fans and even the
great Anson couldn't get Duke going
right and the lad who possessed
a world Of pitching ability was lit
orally Quacked out Of baseball, which
goes to prove that there Is some
thing in a name.