Great Falls tribune., 1922-04-15

Chicago, April 14.--Adrian G. Pop)
Anson, for more than half century
one of the notable figures of baseball,
died today at st. Luke's hospital after
weeks illness and just two days be-
fore his SEVENTEEN birthday.
The death of Pop Arson as he
was called by the thousands of base
ball followers who have known him as
one of the legendary heroes of the ma
tional sport, came suddenly after it
was believed that he was well on the
way to recovery following an operation
performed last Monday. He had been
stricken Oh the street Sunday.
Mr.. Anson's death has placed the
sport-loving world in mourning, for
Pop not only was beloved by every
person interestAl in baseball. but was
admired for his manliness and square
ness by all true sportsmen. His ability
on the diamond where he was looked
on by old timers as the greatest of first
basemen. brought him admiration for
his great skill and physical prowess
while his craftsmanship brought him
the respect Of all.
Played Golf in Late Years
Pop was an outdoors lover up to
golf when he no longer could handle
baseball. His confinement in the
hospital was very irksome and each
day he would impatiently ask his doc
tor:
when do I go home, Doc:''
He always followed this with an in
sistent request that he be permitted
to go home for his birthday-next Mon
day-and was greatly cheered when he
was told this might be possible.
Pop" Anson saw baseball formed,
virtually, and watched it progress
through all the stages to the present
As boy in his teens he played his
first contest at time when the game
really was the old FOUNDERS and was
just starting in the process of evolu-
tion which brought it to the point
where it is the delight Of nearly every
youngster and the nations greatest
pastime.
He played first with MarshaIltown,
Ia, later going to Rockford, Ill, where
he was teammate of the A. G.
Spalding, the great pitcher. In the
early seventies he played with the
Philadelphia Athletics and the Chicago
Nationals. and it was with the latter
club that he reached pinnacle of
playing ability which he still stands
out in the history Of baseball
Great Baseball Player
Pops" great work as slugger,
fielder and leader brought him recogni-
ton as the first baseman chosen by
for the mythical all-Amer-
ican team, the players being selected
chiefly on their statistical records.
In the early eighties he became man
ager of the Chicago team Under his
guidance the Chicago club
won pennants in 1SSO12 and again in
1856. From 1876 to 1897, with the
exception of two years. Anson batted
over. 300, his highest average being in
1887 when he registered 421. During
this period of twenty-five years his
grand batting average was .34S and he
led the National league six years and
was second or third many other sea
sons. In the field his record was equal
~ brilliant. For six years he was ac-
corded first place among the first base
men. his fielding average ranging from
.9SS to .974
Through the various baseball fights
and the numerous occasions of Internal
discussion which Pop watched, he al
ways insisted on fair play.
This trait was carried with him to
the golf links where he has been q
familiar figure in recent years. He
always observed the many rules of
golf etiquette and insisted that those
about him do the same. There are
few players Of the local public links