The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-27

to tell the truth, Hughey Jennings
and myself were about the only
Oriole players who were in proper
condition to put up the kind of game
we had shown all season. We were
very young and knew little of the
joys of all night affairs At that
time, and for a long time after,
neither of us had ever taken a drink
had never smoked In fact, have
never smoked to this day.
Celebrating
But the Baltimore fans and others
were determined to show how much
they appreciated what we had done
to bring championship to the old
town. With all the banquets and
other affairs arranged to celebrate
our winning the flag-and several
days. elapsing. before beginning the
big series-itfis not to be wondered
that most of the boys were knocked
out of their stride. Naturally, the
players thought they were entitled
to break training for a short spell.
So did their Baltimore friends. evil
IDENTIFY.
Just as is the case now the re-
ceipts for the Temple Cup series
were divided among the players.
Right away considerable feeling was
aroused among the players over the
discovery that several members of
the contesting clubs had agreed to
pool their shares and divide fifty
fifty. no matter which side won. In
other words, some of the players had
decided not to take a chance.
Quarrel Over Funds
Quite few of the victorious team,
after having made such a despicable
agreement refused to abide by it,
There were many quarrels over this
and the friction lasted for years. In
fact, this feeling lasted as long as
the welchers continued in baseball.
1 had no particular sympathy with
either side of the argument-it was
degrading arrangement at all
tlmes-but l took particular pains
to let the welching players know
/ what 1 thought of them by verbal
shot during and after every game
that l played with them. So did the
rest of the Orioles. Still the Giants
refused to loosen up and settle. Aft
er so much talk about it l don't be-
lieve our players would have ac-
cepted the money, anyway.
Returned to College
Jennings and 1 returned to st.
Bonaventure college when the Tenn
pie Cup series was over and remained
there all winter. Night after night
we thrashed over our defeat at the
hands of the Giants, between study
hours. 1t soon became an obscssion
with us to win the pennaat again
~. 1. -
! at them. We were determined that
we would not lose another series
| through lack of condition of any OF
T! the players, even if both of us had
| to constitute ourselves policemen.
The next spring, 1895, the 1ues-
| ton that is always uppermost in a
| ball-player's mind after winning a
! pennant arose. We wanted more
| money We had many arguments
! with Manager Hanlon over the sal
airy question. but finally all come to
| terms and we reported to the training
] camp. which had been changed from
| New Orleans to Macon. Ga. Due to
! our school work we were 10 days
/ late. but both were in splendid con-
| dition. almost fit and ready for the
championship season to begin right
! then.
| Trained COnscientiously
The whole team went at the train
| ing conscientiously. There were nc
| laggards. Never was there such d
| bunch out for morning practice. Thai
| post-season defeat at the hands OF
| the Giants had taught everybody a
lesson.
Our success of the previous year
in winning the pennant by united
and aggressive methods had been q
lasting inspiration. Confidence oozed
out of us. We knew that we had
to be in the best possible condition
though, and that became our main
aim.
AS result of this strenuous work
and determination we had no trouble
in winning the 1895 pennant.
The Boston club was the contends
er and we played them for the cup
1t was just before the series that
I heard for the first time In my
life rumors of ball games having
been fixed. Though l did not be-
lieve it, the mere idea sort of sick
ened me.
Copyright, 1928. United States and
Canada, by Christy Walsh Syndicate
for North American Newspaper AL
lance and The Birmingham Age
Herald.)