Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1925-10-08
MATTY, IDOLOF
BASEBALL FANS,
dies AT CAMP
Big Six Loses Long Bat
tie Against Dis e a Sc
Contracted in Service
of Country i'm War
(By the Associated Press9

SARANAC LAKE, N. ", Oct. 81
Christy Mathewson, one of the greatest
pitchers of all time, is dead in his
mountain camp.
A hero of the world was as we'll as
of the diamond on which he was the first
big college star, he died late last night
of tuberculosis and pneumonia, the re-
suit of being gassed while a captain in
the chemical warfare service in France.
The end came while his buddies in the
American Legion were holding their
annual convention in Omaha.
"Big Six" as he was known because
of his stature, battled internationally
with tuberculosis for five years. He
went to France in 1918 afer three years
as manager Of the Cincinnati Reds.
Returning as coach Of the New York
Giants, with whom he played for N
seasons, he was taken seriously i'll in
1920 and retired to Saranac Lake.
The battle for health apparently won
in 1923, he became president and part
owner Of the Boston Braves. He caught
cold on the spring training trip of sthe
Braves last spring and was forced to
return to his camp. Less than a month
ago his physician reported that he was
holding his own. The end came rapid
ly and unexpectedly.
His wife, who had nursed him during
the years of his illness, was at. his bed
side. The only child, Christy Mathew
son, Jr., is in college.
Funeral services will be held at Lewis
ton, Pa, Saturday.
Chris:S Mathewson, idol Of the ma
tions baseball fandom over span of
more than two decades, and one of the
greatest pitchers the game has ever
known, was symbol of the highest
type of American sportsmanship.
Running the full gamut Of baseball
fame, first as playing star, later as a
coach and manager, Mathewson left the
game to answer greater call during
the world war; subsequently fought and
won battle for his life, threatened by
after effects Of his service, and then
capped the climax Of his diamond career
by returning as part owner and presi-
dent of major league club
But after all the remarkable achieve
ments Of Mathewson's career are re-
counted, the greatest tribute Of all will
be paid to his wonderful pitching skill.
For on the mound he was a master
craftsman, the most consummate and
brilliant artist of all time, in the
opinion of many Of the games closest
students.
big Ska sobriquet contracted
from Big Six Footer"--started his
major league career with the New York
Giants in 19OO and it was during his
II seasons with that club that he carved
lasting niche for himself in the twirl-
ing hall of fame. Later he became man
ager for two and half years of the
Cincinnati Reds; served as a captain
in the chemical warfare arm of the AM
erican Expeditionary Force during the
world war; returned from the service to
rejoin his old team-mates in 1920, when
his health was dangerously impaired.
He came back, again hale and hearty,
in February, 1928, to accept the presi-
dency and part ownership Of the Boston
Nationals.
College Graduate
A graduate Of Bucknell College, where
he was both a football and baseball
star, Mathewson broke into the pro-
fessional game with the Taunton, Mass,
club of the New England League in
1899, receiving a salary Of $50 month
for his first season. He lost his first
start by score of 6 to 5 to the Man
chester, N. H., club. During the season
he won but two and lost nine games,
lack of control-a fault he hid not over
come for several years-handicapping
his effectiveness.
Mathewson, however, was not long in
attracting major league attention. Play
ing with Norfolk, in the Virginia league,
in 1900, he won Fl out of % games,
and was obtained by the Giants, who
turned him back, after brief try-out,
for. ,tprore seasoning with the Southern
CLIP. Later the same year he was
dt1ted by Cincinnati, but soon after
wstd was sent to the Giants in deal
by which the Reds secured Amos Rusie.
Matty's first major league appear
ance was in the role Of relief pitcher
in game lost by the Giants to Brook
lyn. He had but Indifferent success as
pitcher and utility player until 1902,
when John McGrow succeeded Horace
Fogel as managev Of the Giants. Big
Six was playing first base at the time
but McGraw quickly recognized his
pitching ability, and took him i'm hand.
His strides toward greatness dated from