Evening star., 1923-01-10

W may HAVE HotlNSo 'h"'
" have begun these memoirs
with the present instead OF
with my carly boyhood days. | did
this advisedIy, it always having
been my belief that we can use the
present to reflect on the past much
better than 10 make the old days
reflect OH the present.
After | have recalled q few more of
the picturesque characters of my
thirty years in base ball il is my in
tention to go back to the early days
and drift down again. In that way l
hope TO recall landmarks that other
wise | might forget.
Next to Raymand the most pictur-
eSque CharacterS-I don't necessarily
mean drinking players--of my knowl-
edge were Rube Waddell. Larry. Me
Lean. Ossie Schreckengost and Wal
ter tSteve) Brodie.
Most all base ball people remember
the time when SChreck-the scorers
had shortened his name 10 that--re-
fused to sign a contract with Connie
Mack until Il clause was inserted that
Waddell must not eat crackers in bed.
Always RoOmed Together.
These two quaint characters always
roomed together. At times they were
a trial to Connie. and he figured that
he could keep an eye on them better
by having them in the same room,
especially on the road.
mo. Connie" said Schreck,' when he
showed up 10 sign his new contract.
"I won't sign il unless you put in
there that Rube mustn't eat crackers
III the bed. You know. the big bum
has got 10 where he eats these little
animal crackers every night. | didn't
mind the fat crackers so much. but
for whole week last year I woke up
with elephant's tuSks and COW horns
stickin' tween my ribs.
Connie Mack graVely inserted the
clause and OSsie signed.
WaddeII Was n Schemer.
Like Bugs Raymand, Wadden had
an uncanny ability for getting money
when there was none in sight. He
had worked SO many schemes on Con-
ME that the Athletic manager thought
he couldn't be fooled.
One night in Detroit Rube came to
Comics room in deep distress. He
had lost the diamond watch charm
that had been given TO each member
Of the team for having won the pen
nant. 1t was an expensive trinket
and one that Waddell was very proud
of. 1t was his fondest possession.
and Mack knew it.
Il wanted to ask you what to do.
Connie" said Rube. How can l go
bout findin' it. l know l had it on
this afternoon
Suggests an AID i'm Paper.
Il would suggest" advised Connie,
taking the matter very seriously,
papcrS-yes. and offer a reward"
How much reward Connie. would
he right? You know Tn fiat broke
! You know that better than anybody
. 1atr Il
go ahead and offer $40 reward and
if the diamond charm is found 1 will
pay the reward myself"
Rube promptly put and ad in the
paper.
The next day at noon he went down
to saloon where he had left the
charm with the bartender, an old
acquaintance.
Mack Falls for 1t.
Connie" Rube said to his mana
ger over the phone. there's a guy
down here In a saloon that's found
my diamond charm. VIII you come
down and pay the reward for me p
That sounded fair enough. So
Connie walked down, paid the man
/. the reward, turned the trinket over
Ito Rube and they walked away. Wad-
dell was very grateful At the corner
around the other way to the saloon
and collector $40 from the bartender
large portion of which they pro-
ceeded to drink up.
Connie had been completely taken
in: Now. you can't say that a man
who can think up that scheme hasn't
got a keen brain.
Had Enormous Hands.
Waddell was one of the greatest
pitchers that ever lived. He had
such a large hand that he could en-
circle a base ball with his fingers as
the ordinary man could a billiard
ball. That gave him tremendous
speed and also a wonderful curve.
Rube was very vain about his arm
and had absolute confidence in being
able to beat any club in the world
Generally he could do it, too. In the