The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-09-10
Man Who Put
Ball i'm Base Ball
White Sox Trainer Spent Sew
eral Days in Sumter

man of base ball, who has been in
Sumter for the past few days scout
ing for the Chicago White Sox left
Sumter Tuesday morning on his
way north after having picked
three Of Sumter's players, Luther
and the two O'Connor brothers, to
represent the White Sox next sea-
son. Contracts have been signed
with these boys and they will re-
port for training next Spring. He
seemed to be highly enthused in
the finds he has made while in
Sumter and predicts a bright future
for all three of these boys in maj
or league base ball. Luther should
make a great pitcher" said he, IF
he keeps on coming in his present
form" Max O'Connor could step
in and hold his position down in a
larger league right now" Archie,
his brother, he considers as phe-
nomenal fielder, but will have to be
coached some on his batting when
he gets into faster company, as OF
course will all three in the fine
points of the game when they get
in the big league. Sumter should
well be proud of having a team
from which three players were
chosen for big league base ball and
their record will be watched with
interest by local fans when they go
up. Only two other players We're
given contracts on his trip through
the Carolinas, Rhame, Camden S
catcher, and Thompson, the boy
wonder at Mccall. After watching
Thompson in several gaEaes, he pre-
diets that the eighteen year old
swirler will make one of America S
greatest pitchers if he takes care
of himself during the three years
he has 20 finish school. TIE con-
tract was made with the young
mans parents, who promise to let
him come to Chicago as soon as he
finishes his education.
Mr.. Sullivan, who is part owner
of the White SoX at the present
time, has an interesting life his
tory which has been entirely devot-
ed to building the game, he having
organized the first minor league
in the Middle West and later the st.
Louis Browns, way back in 1893
and has been active as manager
since that time, many Of the fam
Gus later day stars having started
their career under his directorshlp
and coaching. He also organized
the first Southern league including
New Orleans, Birmingham, Mo-
bile, Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis.
Macon, Charleston and Savannah.
He organized the first minor lea
que in the East and later 1or sew
eral seasons was manager Of the
Washington team. as we'll as a
writer for newspapers. When the
New York Giants made their tour
of the world in 1914 Sullivan was
selected as managing director for
the team and was endorsed to rep
resent America by EX-President
| Taft and later by Wilson. During
the war he gave his services as a
lecturer on base ball giving his
famous lectures at the camps here
and abroad. He has also written
several books on the sport and lee
lures at colleges for the benefit of
students at different times. Having
reached ripe old age, although
as young and cheerful as a boy Of
twenty to talk to. He has planta-
| ton in Camden county, North Car
DINA. where he spends what time
he can in rest. but still calls Wash
ington his home. Sullivan says,
base ball is the greatest game of all,
a builder of manhood, quick think
ing and character, and he has al
ways worked to keep the game
clean. He has talked, thought and
lived base ball for over fifty years
and no doubt the game is indebted
to him as one of it's greatest expon-
ents.