The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-19

As a matter OF fact, our pitchers
did good work, but this was the cue
for lot of stories in the newspapers.
Before that pitchers always had been
given all the credit. This was sup
posed to be something new.
Our team was asked to visit the
home town of one of the pitchers
Mcmahon, I think it was-for a big
reception to be given in his honor
All of us were eager to hear our
selves extolled as we'll, so we went in
full force. The little town talked
nothing but baseball for two or three
idays--the coming of the now famous
Orioles.
A Great Orator
To make the affair even more i'm
pressive the committee had invited
the congressman of the district to
make the address of welcome. He
was noted as a famous orator, but, as
you will see, knew very little about
baseball or it's players. Just the same
he pretended to. He came all loaded
for a great speech, so he thought.
Being shy on information this or
atoricaf congressman had secured
clippings from the papers which told
Of how we had won without the aid
that this big reception was given as
boost for Mcmahon by the home
town.
The stage of the public hall was
decorated with flags and baseball en-
blems. All of our players were seated
in, semi-circle facing the audience.
The master of ceremonies sat in the
middle. with the congressman-the
big punch of the meeting-at his
right. We all tried our best to look
dignified and important. Mcmahon
and the other pitchers were grouped
Immediately behind the speaker. 1
can see that picture to this day. And,
as see the picture, all of us wore
mustaches. That was the thing in
baseball then. l HAD a big black one
which looked very impressive-to me
with my weight of 1928 pounds. Rob
bic had fancy one. very carefully
twisted up at the ends.
"Big League Stuff,
After few words the master of
ceremonies introduced the congress-
man. We all got out for some big
league stuff in the way of oratory.
Ladies and Gentlemen, began the
congressman, you are now looking
upon the greatest collection OF attn
II.
They form what is known as the Bal
timore Orioles, the greatest. most
picturesque and most spectacular
baseball club in history They have
nc nored us by coming here to break
bread with our humble townfolk. We
consider that more Of an honor than
they can understand. Little do YOU
realize what this growth of an attn
letic game and the presence of its
most noted exponent means to our
coming young manhood tapplause).
In my arduous duties at the ma
tional capitol it may be that YOU
think that l have had no time to give
to baseball But you are wrong. 1
devote much time to 1t. l study it
and l respect 1t. l appreciate it. /
know what this collection Of sterling
athletes has done. l realize how they
have won. These men, despite handi-
caps, have won championship. The
glory and wonder of that achievement
though, is what they have won with
practically no pitching staff at all
the worst pitchers in baseballw
Crowd Is Stunned
Mcmahon and Doc Pond who had
been leaning forward in anticipation
of the climax almost fell out of their
chairs. The crowd was stunned Tor
a moment and then broke out laugh
ing.
The great orator did not Know that
the whole show was given in honor
Of Mcmahon. He had tried to bull
his way through by reading the
Washington papers.
The show was a bust. The next
election the congressman lost that
county.
II was several seasons before we
got through kidding our pitching
staff about that speech.
And speaking of mustaches, / must
tell you one on Wnbert Robinson.
AS 1 have said Robbie was always
careful about his mustache having
that snappy upward twist at the ends
One On Robbis
Tim Hurst. the umpire, who died
some years ago, never thought much
OF mustaches. He shot many a witty
crack at the players about these ap-
pendages. Tim, as you know, per-
haps, never took any back talk from
a player. If he did the player suf-
scred in the consequent repartee.
One day Robbie was catching and
there was Boston runner on first