The Alaska daily empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1912-1926, 1925-10-08
MEMORIAL EXERCISES.


S.-Five minutes before today S
game was called, Umpire Owens call
ed the members of the Senators and
Pirates to the home plate. Each
member was wearing a mourning
band on his left arm. The two
clubs formed, and led by the band,
marched across the field from the
home plate to the deep center field
where brief exercises were held in
honor of the late Christy Mathew
son, President of the Boston Braves,
who died last night.
The immense crowd in the grand
stands hushed as the band played
Nearer My God to Thee" The
crowd stood with uncovered heads,
then the band played the Star
Spangled Banner" while the colors
were raised then returned to half
staff. The clubs lineup then
crossed the field to cheers.
Last night the Baseball Writers
Association at a meeting, passed
resolutions to Mathewson's memory.
Christy Mathewson. idol of the ma
tons baseball fandom over a 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 sports
manship.
Running the full gamut of baseball
fame, first as a playing star, later
as a coach and manager, Mathewson
left the game to answer a greater
call during the World War subse-
quently 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
achievements Of Mathewson's career
are recounted, 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 Six Footer.
"Big Ska sobriquet contracted
from "Big Six Footer, started his ma
jor league career with the New York
Giants in 1900 and it was during
his II seasons with that club that
he carved lasting niche for him.
fr1i hall Of far
Later he became manager for two
and a half years of the Cincinnati
Reds; served as a captain in the
chemical warfare arm Of the Ameri-
can Expeditionary Force during the
world war; returned from the service
to rejoin his old teammates, the
Giants, as a coach; and retired from
the game temporarily in 1920, when
his health was dangerously impaired.
He came back, again hale and hear
ty in February, 1928, to accept the
presidency and part ownership OF the
Boston Nationals.
A graduate of Bucknell College,
where he was both football and
baseball star, Mathewson broke into
professional ball with the Tauton,
Mass, club Of the New England
League in 1899, receiving a salary
of $50 a month for his first sea
son. He lost his first start by a
score of to to the Manchester
N. H., club. During the season ne
won but two and lost nine games
lack of control-a fault he did not
overcome for several years-handi
Gaping his effectiveness.
Mathewson, however, was not LONG
in attracting pajor league attention
Playing with Norfolk, in the Virginis
League, in 1900, he won 81 out OF 2;
games, and was obtained by the Gi
ants; who turned him back. after 9
brief tryout, for more seasoning with
the Southern Club. Later the same
year he was drafted by Cincinnati
(Coatiuueo ON Pare Three,)