The Washington times., 1922-05-21


Since leaving the big league Nc
Ginnity has been touring the bushes
as manager, pitcher and owner OF
many teams. He has tried his luck
in all parts OF the country. and while
reports have 1t that his has not been
q great financial success, artistically
everything has been jake.
Years and years ago Joe an
nounced that he was through as
far as tossing 'em up to the batters
was concerned, but following every
announcement to this effect some
thing has come along to force him
into action again.
He is ready to let the youngsters
do the work. but the youngsters
seem to be a brittle lot, for time
after time he has had to come to his
teams rescue, and on nearly every
occasion he has delivered the goods.
Joe has had some tough luck as
far as money making is concerned,
for he has put some Of his coin into
teams that went on the rocks or
were with leagues that didn't pay
dividends Of any size. Still he keeps
hustling and is satisfied with the
game.
His ability to pitch such good ball
at his age is the result not only Of
the wonderful arm he was born
with, but also comes from the fact
that he takes the greatest care of
his health. Joe has lived the life Of
an athlete ever since he began to
play ball when fifteen years Of age
in Rock Island, ILL.,. his native town,
and in other nearby towns.
Joined Pro. Ranks i'm 1898.
McGinnity's first professional ball
was played with the Montgomery
nf on m
1898. The league disbanded in Au-
gust of 1898 because Of a yellow
fever epidemic and consequent finan-
cial stringency. McGinnity finished
the year playing with different
teams in and around his home town.
In 1894 he was secured by Man
ager James Fl. Manning for the Kan
sas City team, Of the Western
League, but in June he was let go
on account OF i'll health. 1t is inter
esting to note that one of the players
of the Kansas City team was George
Stallings. later manager Aof the Bos-
tons and New York Yankees. Stall
lngs came from Nashville, of the
Southern League, of whose team he
was the manager.
During the following three years
McGinnity did not play ''profes-
sional" ball, but was the premier
pitcher of n strong independent team
in Springfield. ILL.,. where he made
his home. During these three years
he fully regained his health, and
even at that early period developed
into an Iron man." in one instance
winning seven games in six days.
In 1898 McGinnity was induced by
Pat Wright manager of the Peoria
team, of the Western Association, to
re-enter the professional game.
Peoria disbanded near the end of
June, which caused the whole league
to go to pieces.
The most notable work done by
McGinnity for the Peoria team was
the winning Of a twenty-one inning
game from the st. Joseph team by
the score of s TO 4. Joe went the
whole length of the game, which
was played on June 21.
Hurled for Brooklyn.
Joe broke into the National
League in 1899, the last year of the
twelve-club organization. In that
year he was signed by the Brooklyn
club. and when il bought out the
Baltimore club he was sent to the
Orioles, where John ]. McGraw was
in charge. There his catcher was
Wilbur Robinson, who took all the
rough edges off the Illinoisan and
made a winner of him from the
start.
McGinnity pitched his first game
in the National League on April IS,
1929, defeating the New Yorks by
the score of 8 to 4. His second
game was also against the New
Yorks, and he shut out the Giants,
6to0.
In the first game his opponent on
the rubber was Bill CarrcS, and in
the second Jouett Meekin. who later
In the season was sold to the Boston
club for $4,000. In both games Nc
Ginnity was caught by Robinson.
McGinnity pitched forty-five games
for Baltimore, Of which he won
twenty-eight. Among other pitchers
on his team, were Harry Howell,
Frank Kitson, Ralph Miller and Bill
Hill.
In 1900 the circuit Of the National
League was reduced to eight cities. !
Baltimore was one of the cities
dropped, and the Brooklyn club took
all of the players Of The Orioles
team except McGraw, Robinson and
Billy keister, whose services were
sold to the st. Louis club for $4,000.
McGinnity went with the bunch to
Brooklyn, where he became the star
pitcher among such cracks as Bill
Kennedy, Howell, Ktson and Gus
Weyhing.
Joined American League.
Jack Dunn and wild Bnl' Don.
ovan were on the team when McGin.
nifty Joined It, but both were re-
leased, Dunn going to philadelphia
and Donovan TO Hartford! Dunn re-
mained with the Phillies, while Dom
ovan came back from Hartford and
finished the season with the Brook |
lyns. who won the championship !!
that year.
The American Leagl,e, organized !
In 1900. broke away from the Ma !
tional agreement in 1901 and made |
war on the National hague, tnduc- |
Ing many star MIA vnra to inmn iia