Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-10-03
What Fred Clarke
McEechnie's Aid Did

Pittsburgh, Pa, Oct. .. - (AP) -
Fred Clarke, chief assistant to Bill
McKechnie in molding the destinies
of the champion Pirates of the Ma
tional League this year, was one OF
the best players the circuit ever
turned out and was manager OF
Louisville, later the Pittsburgh club
for 10 successive years, including the
worlds series campaign of 1909.
Clarke came from his ranch in
Kansas on June 13 of this year 10
aid in the drive for the pennant and
what has happened is perhaps in
large measure attributable to his
steadfast attention to details. his
coaching and strategic aid. When
Clarke appeared on the field in uni
form afterFa lapse of several years
during which he has attended to
widespread oil and ranch interests in
his home state, there was an immed-
late squirt and the Pirates have been
fighting as seldom before.
Fred Clarke was born in Des
Moines, Iowa, and started his pro-
fcSsional baseball career with Hast
ings, Neb., in 1892 at the age of 10.
Two years later he was with Louis
vile and hit .406 and the following
season added a batting figure of 80 /
to his record. In 1896 the New York
Giants offered $4,000 for his services,
an immense figure in that day, but
it was refused and a year later he
became manager at Louisville, to re-
main in that capacity throughout his
ma jor league career. That year was
his best. He stole 60 bases.
In 1898 Clarke added a heavy, I'M
calmly outfielder who was to become
one of the games greatest stars. 1t
was Hans Wagner from the Patsr-
son. n. j., club. At the same time
Tommy Leach and Claude Ritchey
entered the fold and in 1900 they
went along to Pittsburgh under
transfer, Clarke playing in the OUT
field along with Wagner and Ginger
Beaumont Sam Lever and Charley
Phillips. pitchers. We're saved from
the Pittsburgh forces in the amalga-
nation.
The club of that year gained sec
ond place to Brooklyn and the fol-
lowing year gave Clarke his first
pennant At this time Fred Ely be
came too much interested in the
newly formed American League and
lost his position. opening the door to
one of the greatest shortstops of all
time-Wagner. And again in 1902
the Pirates won the flag, being out
of first place only one day during the
season. In 1903 they made'it three
straight pennants but fell back to
fourth in 1904. They were always
strong contenders until in 1909 they
were at the top and won the world s
series from Detroit.
After this conquest Clarke realized
that his playing days were nearly
over and he obtained Max Carey
from South Bend to understudy him
IN the left field. The manager play
ed In lis games that year but in
l9ll gave Carey plenty of work and
in 1912 directed the club from the
bench. He played only two complete
games in 1913 and in 1914 acted as
pinch hitter twice. The year 1915
was his last as a player On Sep
TENDER % he went into left field. got
one hit and retired in favor of Carey.
never to don a glove again in active
play.
Melllla, Spanish Morocco, Oct. .
(AP)--Ajdir, stronghold of the rebel
nous Riffian leader, Abd-el- Krim, was
occupied by the Spanish forces this
morning The enemy had disappeared
Large stocks Of war material We're
captured.