Evening star., 1925-01-16

club. Attorney A T. Walsh, n
Burk Of Pittston were friends
a great interest in my future. Whe
had Informed him l was TOO small
lawyer pointed out that l would gre
shortstop, was no giant
He argued a winning case. He
snowy Sunday early in March with
to the Tigers in WaXahachie, Tex,
the telegram before l could believe S
he would arrange for my tranSporta
Mother was as surprised and de-
lighted as l. Together we got out
an atlas to locate WaXahachie on
the map. When We measured the dis
tance from Pittston to the training
camp by the scale and found l would
have to travel more than l 200 miles
mother broke down. She wept as if
her heart would break. I had never
been farther from home than Scran-
ton and Wilkes Barre. Waxaha chic
was an unbelievable distance to us
both.
Finally she smiled and wiped her
tears away. Il guess I'm like all
mothers" she said, when the baby
of the family leaves home. We don't
realize you are grown up until you
have TO leave US. 1t seems as if you
are going to the end of the world"
1t seemed SO TO me, too. l didn't
sleep a wink that night. When 1
reached the mine next morning,
sleepy eyed and heavy, word OF my
opportunity with the Tigers had pre-
ceded me, early as it was. l finished
the days work and told the superin-
tendent l would like to get my time
He knew the reason and wished me
the best of luck. My job wasn't a
hard one to fill.
l Get n Goodbye Party.
The next few days I was busy max
Ing plans to leave Pittston. Most of
the time was devoted to studying the
route over and over was sure I
would miss a connection and get on
the wrong train somewhere in the
long ride. The boys with whom 1
played basket ball gave me a fare
we'll party and predicted I'd soon have
DOME Bush's job. They were kind
friends.
When the train pulled out and
waved goodbye to mother and a
small group of friends l was a rather
panic-stricken youngster. Never be-
fore had l been on Pullman 1t
didn't seem possible that l could
sleep In narrow berth. We had big
feather beds at home. l don't sup
pose l slept five hours all the way
from Pittston to Waxahachie.
The long journey at last came to a
welcome end. 1 took my shiny imi-
catton leather suitcase and walked
to the hotel l rather expected
Hughey Jennings would welcome me.
Such is the Importance of youth He
was In bed at the time, nursing an
injury received in teaching recruits
how to slide. I reported to Jimmy
Burke, the Detroit coach. He hustled
me into a uniform for fielding prac-
tice.
Attracts Little Attention.
Little attention was paid to me.
was a stringy kid, weighing a bare
115 pounds. Few less likely looking
prospecs ever have reported at a big
league training camp. No wonder 1
was ignored. The veterans didn't
even bother trying to play pranks on
me. l was green enough for the
cows to eat and would have made a
fne subject for any of the time-worn
5ests practiced on rockies.
Burke started by putting me on
third base and smashing grounders
and line drives in my direction.
had never had balls hit so hard at
me. l couldn't get down on them
rast enough and my arm didn't seem
strong enough to whip the ball across
TO flrst. 1t was a discouraging debut
Jennings, probably because of his
old friendship with my father, paid
more attention TO me than / really de-
served. He put me in at third base
Tor the second team in my first prac-
tice game March II. l batted against
Lowdermilk and didn't get anything
esemoling hit. The ball had too
much smoke for me-
When time came to break camp
was sent on transforming trip with
the fannigans as their third base
man. Jimmy Burke acted as our man
ager. Harry Heilmann, who had
been sent to the minors after a trial
with the Tigers two years previous
was back again. He played first base
Tor the Yannigans and has been a
Detroit regular ever since Oscar
witt went along as a second base
man. He had sore arm and
couldn't throw from third to first.
He Travelled with US to fill the club.
Frank Fuller and George Maisel were
our other infielders- George Harper
and couple of pitchers made up
the outfield
Bucky Gets the Gate.
I managed to hit fairly we'll on the
ulp' but couldn't field a lick. When
we met Jennings and the regulars
in Kansas City 1 knew 1 had failed
to make good. you're too small.
Stanley" the Detroit manager told
me. I'm sorry. Go home and I'll
try TO land you with some minor
league club. Don't get DISCOURAGED.
You're only a kid. When you get
heavier you'll have another chance.
Take good care of yourself and build
your body up
Then he gave me a grandstand seat
Tor the opening game in Chicago.
That was my first big league game.
| di"nt enjoy it much. Ny thoughts
were wrapped up in the players on
the bench. My hopes of making good
In the big leagues were rudely jolted
Fhen watched two real, finished
clubs play. That night took a train
Tor Pittston. l felt my base ball
career was at an end. 1 had been
tried and found wanting
Copyright Is25.)