Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-01-23

home. | telephoned mother. She
down, OF course, after LETT. as so m
l returned to Baltimore early i
ward until March. Then ! received
called for $500 month. | wrote Pre-
lie raised the figures to $500, and ] 5
Mr.. Lannin also owned an interest
In the Newark club. / was sent from
the Easton training camp to play
with Newark in an exhibition game
against the New York Yankees
nlled IN at shortstop. Ernie Shore
and Pete Schneider pitched for the
Yanks. Muddy Ruel, who was later
to reach the top of his game a. Wash
inSton'S catcher. did the receiving
Ed Rommel was one of the Newark
pitchers. He had been South with
the Giants He was beaten, but he
pitched a good game. That season
he won - games in the International
League and the following year went
up TO the majors with the Athletics.
Duffy Lewis Robbed Him.
didn't cover myself with glory at
bat, although | did manage to get hold
OF one of Shores twisters. When ball
and bat met l was sure l had hit
for extra bases. l weighed about 40
pounds at the time. This added
weight and the careful coaching of
Schultz the previous Fall had added
considerable power to my swing. AS
/ rounded first 1 saw Duffy Lewis
stretch out his hands and catch my
line drive.
The International League was a
good school for youngsters that sea
SON The club had many experienced
players who had outlived their days
in the big leagues. They were a
great help in polishing the ones on
the upgrade and making them ready
for the majors. Players, who, like
myself, were soon graduated from the
International League, included George
Kelly, Frank Brewer. Frank Ellerbe
Frank O'Rourke, AL Schacht. Ed Rom
mel, Socks" Seibold, Charlie See and
Bonnie Bengough. Bill Ryan was
with Buffalo that season He won
10 games and the next year was re-
called by the Giants. Jack Bentley
was with Baltimore. Wilbur Hub
bell was pitching for Toronto.
Schacht, who was 10 be with me
later in Washington, had a good sea-
son on the mound. He wasn't a
comedian then. but a mighty good
pitcher. He won 19 games and lost
II for Jersey City. He never seemed
to have much except headwork He
was OiIt OF the IRON men OF the
league. He was pitcher who never
had real chance in the majors until
he was pretty well burned out by
hard work i'm the minors Then he
couldn't stand the hie league pace.
There are such cases ana they arr
among the ira Gelies of the diamond.
Rube Paruham. Buffalo's lraGiuE
pitcher and about tine most effec;i a.
In the league. Won = games.
The Dope on wid Matthews.
spark Plug" Matthews, who later
made a notable record with the
Athletics, was shunted back to the
minors and came up again with
Washington to help greatly in a sue
cessfuI pennant fight. was in the
international with the rest of US am
bilious youngsters The Buffalo club
was playing in Rochester the day he
reported. He was in a Navy uniform
just having been discharged. He
changed it for base ball suit and
made an instant impression. He was
a fiery little chap, hard fighter and
a hustler all the time.
There was much speculation when
Washington let him go at a crucial
stage in the pennant race. He helped
inspire the team and his hitting was
a factor in starting US on a winning
streak when We had either to go
ahead or drop out of the race The
truth of the matter is that in order
to get McNeely, whose hit won the
world series, we had to send Mat
thews to the coast. The terms of the
deal called for $50, 0e0 cash and an
outfelder. Leibold was a 10-year
man and under base ball law We
couldn't send him. 50 Matthews, who
had fallen into a slump, went and
was recalled in the Fail.
Ny experiences in Baltimore proved
valuable before the 1919 season was
far under way. l seemed to fit III well
at second base and was soon a fixture
in that position. My batting improved
So did my fielding. / moved around
second fast AS l covered more ter
ritory I began to get the knack of the
pivot on double plays. | was still far
from the finished product however.
Bengough and l frequently talked
over our prospects of making good in
the big leagues Wiltse encoura ged
us both. He showed us plainly that
he believed we were the pick of his
club. Early in June, when we were
playing a series in Newark and had
an off day, Wiltse sent US both to the
Polo Grounds.
Meets McGraw-Twice.
81 want Mac to look you two birds
over" he said. You both look about
ready for the big show to me. Don't
get lost or try to buy the Brooklyn
Bridge"
He gave us minute directions how
to reach the Polo Grounds. I don't
know how Bengough felt, but l was
treading on air. l was going to get
chance to show John McGraw the
Great how good I was. He shook
hands with me when 1 reported at
the clubhouse, told me where to get
a uniform and watched me in fielding
practice. He didn't rush for his
checkbook.
When the Buffalo club left Newark
I was along. The next time I talked
to McGraw was when we shook hands
before the first game of the world
series in Washington.
Hope the best team wins, Bucky,"
the Giant leader said. You deserve
credit for landing your club on top"
Thanks, Mr.. McGraw," 1 answered.
81 hope I'll be half as successful in
ha1