Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-07-16
old TIMER SAYS
FREE H|TTERS SCARCE
Downstate Authority Tells How
OIen SLEEPY" Parsons Al
most Became League Star.

| Special Correspondence Every Evening
| Saaford, July 16.--while reniniscine
a few days ago with one Of the best
posted baseball fans Of this peninsula,
the Seaford "old timers" attention
was called to the woefuiIy lacl. Of free
hitters among the ball players now
representing the different towns down
the peninsula. II Is noticeable fact
that this is true. Notwithstanding the
balls used this year are livelier than
I'm former days.
The "oid timers" friend does not
think the pitching as a rule. comes
up to the pitchers Of the old days. and
considering this the hitting should bo
as effective, if not more so, than i'm
former days. OF the teams the old
timer" has seen play down the penin-
sula this year, he fails to find a hitter
of the Olen SLEEPY" Parson type.
who was one of Seaford's home play
crs who was always more than able 10
hold his own in any fast set down this
way. He was first haseman of more
than ordinary ability and at one time
the most dreaded batter on this penin-
sula
When Parsons assumed his posi-
tion at the plate he was the most un-
concerned player on the diamond. but
he could whale" the old apple into
far territory off most any twiricr he
faced. Therefore his services were
very valuable 10 any team. He weigh
cd around 200 pounds and stood over
six foot tall Notwithstanding his
weight and height he was very fast
and handled himself as we'll as many
ball players smaller in size.
Speaking of Parsons brings 70 the
mind Of the old timer" the chance ne
lost of making good in the big leagues.
When Parsons was doing his clouting
down this way Home Run" Baker
had just cleverly started on his re-
markable career with the Philadelphia
Athletics. and while tn Seaford one
day he remarked TO one of Seaford's
wcll-known bah players, il he saw
any prospects to let him know and
they would be given more than Il
chance with Connie Mack's Athletics.
The ball player in question told Baker
of SLEEPY" Parsons, and arrange
ments were at once made 10 have
Parsons visit Shibe Park for tryout.
Parsons was a great home boy and
he would not consent to go 10 Shibe
Park until the ball player who had told
Baker about him consented to accom-
pany him there. II was arranged with
Baker and the trio left Seaford to-
gethcr one Monday morning, Baker
coming up from Cambridge TO Join the
Athletics for Mondays game. Baker
had been spending Sunday with his
wife's parents at Cambridge. on ar
-, -
bali player friend witnessed two great
contests between the Chicago Ameri-
cans and tho Athletics The first
game went IL innings for a 2 10 /
score. and the other game ended in
l TO score. These were the first
big league games Parsons had ever
seen.
After witnessing these two great
games. Parsons seemed to lose his
nerve, although every inducenlent was
made to have him remain in Phila-
delphia. he told his friend he was
going to Seaford. He was persuaded
to stay over until the next day and
finally gotten in Shibe Park for morn
ing practice. In practice he made a
most favorable impression on Connie
Mack and the Athletic team, especial
~ his free and easy way of cIouting
the ball against the right field wall
caught the managers eye.
The Athletics had clinched the pen
nant at this time and Connie Mack
told Parsons he wanted him to ac-
company the team while the worlds
series was being played. but Parsons
nerve was gone. and he came home
without seeing any of the worlds
series games.
The peXt spring Connie Mack sign
ed Parsons up with Bill" CoughIin's
Reading Tri State team He exported
at Reading. looked over the situation.
which evidently did not suit him. and
came home within a week After
that he did not play much baseball.
Parsons evidently lost his nerve, and
if he could have been induced to re-
main until this had passed Off, no
doubt Delaware would have today a
big league baseball player with ma
tionwide renoWn. Home Run" Ba-
ker has said on numerous occasions
since that time that Parsons was one
of the best looking prospects that had
joined the Athletics in many a day.
When Parsons paid his visit to Shibe
Park he was II years old and Con-
ME Mack made the remark when he
saw Parsons physique that he looked
like white hope" Parsons is now
in Seaford in the milling business with
his brothers.