Arizona republican., 1922-06-25
BIC SIX WINS
FIGHT AGAINST !
WHITE PLAGUE
Much Beloved Peerless
Pitcher Is Miracle Man
Of Saranac - Weighs
About 200 Pounds

Undoubtedly the most encouraging
news which has come to the baseball
fans of the country for some time is
the accounts of Christy Mathewson's
wonderful recovery from the pull
monary illness which attacked him
three years ago, as the result of his
activities in handling the noxious
gases of the Chemical Warfare dr.
vision.
In response to telegram from
Matty at Saranac, promising US a
much looked for and greatly appre-
ciated interview, we journeyed over
500 miles to see for ourselves just
What shape big Six" was in.
Arriving at the famous health re-
sort, we found everyone we encoun-
tered anxious to escort us to Matty.
'he is the idol of the town and coun-
try side" A few minutes walk
across the country brought us to
Matty's home, a modest little cottage,
snugly seated within carefully ar
ranged pine trees. an ideal setting for
quiet and recuperation.
From behind a growth OF lilac
bushes, in shaded nook, there en-
mated sounds of appealing voices
somewhat akin to the roofing at an
amateur ball game. We followed the
sound, and behind the bush we found
the great idol of the championship
1905 Polo Ground Team .'Our Matty."
He was in wonderful spirits, sit
ting on a rustic settee playing a
game of big Six" the indoor base
ball game which he created while
convalescing last winter. Seated be-
side him was his inseparable pal
County Engineer Harry Hull Matty
Welcomed 10 pEifh n fhfa q "a q
than we had ever seen him show
for he was always the quietest ard
most unostentatious ball player who
ever arose to any heights in our
national game.
In q few twists of the spinner of
his game, the contest was over, and
as near as the writer could under
stand Matty had won his own game.
He indeed was in a happy vein and
seemed glad to get some tidings of
the outside world and also to express
his hope that the Giants would again
win the National League and that
Ruth would catch up with his last
seasons record, "the sentiment of
one ball player for another
Matty today weighs at least 200
pounds. He is not quite as erect as
he was in the heydey of his career,
but for all that his face is tanned.
for he now spends most of his time
in the open, and his general appear
ance is that of a rugged vacationist
who Is making the most of his days
in the beautiful scenic environments
of the Adirondacks, (which is Gods
specially created country to nurse
back to health those unfortunates
to be overtaken by pulmonary afflic-
tions."
In company with Matty, one would
never believe that but a few months
ago, even the doctors had despaired
of the hope that he would ever see
another summer On all sides during
our stay we heard of the superman
of the polo grounds, who today Is the
miracle man of Saranac, a wonderful
constitution and a still more wonder
full power of Iecuperation. born un-
doubtedly from an early life Of clean
athletic activities, which made il
possible for him to win the greatest
battle of his career against the deadly
white plague.
In our interview, we were careful
not to refer nor did We ask for any
particulars of his long siege of suf- !,
fering, we rather contented ourselves
with the hope of bringing back to
our readers "the true story OF his re-
covery'' as an item of special inter-
est to them.
Matty, we will say, seems to be
getting a full measure of pleasure out
of his opportunity to enjoy the bene-
fits OF a return to health, at least a
partially recovered condition OF
health-&most of his days are spent
during the hot period playing check
ers or his own game big Six" When
the sun is not so strong Matty and
his fishing pole are in constant at
tendance at the fishing pond.
Only one OF our many requests did
Matty hesitate in granting, Have
you any objections to our taking a
few pictures of you as the fans
would really like to see you through
the eye of the camera rather than
to picture you from the description
of our words" Our patients only
reply was, well, that is up to Mrs.
Mathewson, whatever she says goes"
1t was with bated breath that we
awaited the judgment of Matty''s
faithful partner to whom he owes
more than anyone else for his re-
coyery.
After much promising not to keep
him too long in the hot sun. we took
the only pictures of Matty since his
illness and they give to the world the
personal contact and wonderful per-
sonality of our national hero OF ath-
letics, and as we parted he quietly
said, Goodbye, fellows. Give my re-
CARDS to the boys of newspaperdom
IL. g. Of =. afxs.Ff