Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-02-03
OLD BOYS GATHER
At CRADLE AGAIN
Five Men Who Played in First
Games Back in 1876 Are
on Hand in New York.
BY JOHN B. FOSTER.

" There are only a few of the
IL old boys left, but those who
came to the opening celebration Of
the National Leagues golden jubi-
E-e certainly had a grand "old home
week" Five men we're present who
played in the opening games of the
league back in l876-George Wash
ington Bradley of St. Louis, who
pitched the first no-hit game OF
base ball; Jack Manning of Boston,
Alonzo Knight of Philadelphia, Tom
York of Hartford and Tom Bond of
Hartford and Boston.
Then there was Jim Mutrie, the old
Giant manager, who does not go back
quite so far, but who, nevertheless,
played in the early days of the league.
He and Bradley are old friends.
We'll. George, I used to hit against
you, remember it," asked Mutrie.
Remember it?" retorted Bradley,
Il should say I do, Jim. I used to
strike you out"
They weren't telling their ages,
these old chaps. but there was not
one of them under 70 years old and
some of them were crowding so. but
they all seemed hale and hearty al
though a little creaky in the joints.
BY comparison such famous old
players, also present, Christy
Mathewson. Arthur Bevlin, Johnny
Evers and Kitty Bransfield, who also
have had their day and have passed
on to the discard, seemed to be mere
callow youths.
None of Founders Present
Hundreds came to the National
Leagues opening party where only
dozens were expected. 1t was fitting
xhat it should be held within the
ancient walls of the old Broadway
Central Hotel, where, on that day.
exactly 40 years before, the National
League came into being. 1t was men,
toned as. regrettable fact that not
one of the organizers was there to
join in the celebration.
President Heydler told the club
members who sat around him and
also the visitors that the luncheon
was only the forerunner of the good
times they expected to have all Sum-
mer because the celebration is to be
continued through the season. Each
National League city is to have
celebration of some kind. Perhaps it
will be on the opening day, Each
city Is 10 have Its own little pennant,
too The pennant will be of the same
color as that of the city, because in
fhe old days of base ball all cities
had their colors.
Probably every city will have a
parade or some sort of a blowout
similar to the parades they had in the
OLD times whenever a visiting team
would come to town for a series of
games. 1t is probable that on one day
at least the players will dress at their
hotels and ride out to the ball grounds
as they did years ago. That trip be-
tween the ball ground and the hotel
was one of the most momentous oc-
currences while the ball season
was on.
Messages of OId-Timers.
Perhaps the best sentiment of the
meeting yesterday will be gained
from extracts of what was said in the
addresses and letters of old timer6
unable to attend.
Christy Mathewson, one of the
games greatest pitchers:
Those who founded base hall build
ed we'll. My love for the game is just
as profound now as on the first day
that l took the wrappings from a base
ball and smelled the horsehide"
John A. Heydler, president of the
National League:
'on THIS same spot where the pio-
neers of base ball pledged them
selves TO make base ball respectable
and honorable we can say to their
memory that we have not faltered in
their trust"
Charles H. Ebbets, president of the
Brooklyn Dodgers:
y believe your speakers will not
overlook the old-time magnates, play
ers and newspaper men of rs, who
did their part to make the game, but
Jest we forget, allow me TO say a
Sweet word for a few: H. Spalding,
Nick Young, Father Chadwick, Nor
gan S. Burkely, A. S. Mills, Al Reach,
Bob Ferguson, Tim Murnane, Cap An
son, Harry and George Wright, Jack
Chapman, Billy Barnie, Bobby Mat
thews and Joe Staff"
George Wright, one of the founders
of the game:
II would say that one of the most
important changes of the game was
the backing up of the umpire, making
him master of the field. AS a result,
he Is now respected by the players as
well as the public. And l would rank
with this change in Importance that
of placing Judge Lands at the head
of organized ball. The public has
every confidence in this man"