The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-01-08

The best possible proof that TIT
cid Reds were a high-class ball clul
was that after the Invincibles dis
handed most OF them sought EN-
pIoyment with professional clubs
which sprung up numerously II
1871. and all Of these former Reds
were top-notchers while they con
tinued In the game. They were tho
real article, and wherever they
went they lowered above their col
leagues like a red-headed IrishmaT
ct a Chinese picnic. They HAD
the goods: they WERE the goods
and they earned their place in the
hall Of baseball fame on their
matchless ability.
According to the old books, there
were only ten Of the Reds asa
Brainard. pitcher: Douglas Allison,
catcher; Charlie Could. first; Charlie
Sweazy, second; Fred Waterman,
third; George Wright. shortstopi
Harry Wright, center field and cap
tain; Cal McVey. right field; Andy
Leonard, left field, and Dick Harley,
substitute.
Ten in aIl-but when the Reds
Of 1918 had their great banquet
and tried to assemble the old clubs
survivors, there were more sur
vivors" than you could put in a
small theater. Undoubtedly there
were times when a couple of the
stars were i'll or hurt. and some
local athlete would be pressed into
service for a day or two-and all
Of these one-time subs, with pride
and eagerness, sought attention at
the big reunion
The ten originals, however. are
the ones whose names will go
down in history-and the ten men
drew salaries totaling $4,000.
George Wright drew 81 400: Harry
Wright took down 1920; Brainard
got s1.1oo: Waterman. 81 900, and
Allison, Gould, Sweazy, Leonard
and Mcvey were paid $500 apiece,
Dick Hurley getting only 5000.
Small money, yes-but when you
think Of the difference in buying
power Of a dollar then and now,
the boys were nicely paid.
It IL supposed that George
Wright and Cal McVey alone are
left alive. Two years ago, /
was told that Charlie Sweazy,
very old but still keenIy interested
In baseball, was residing in TT.
Worth. Allison and Gould died
only . few months ago; the others
are supposed to have passed out
years back.
Fortune dealt variously with the
old warriors; George Wright is vast
ly rich and Cal McVey. when last
heard of, was in sad financial
straits. Harry Wright died weIi-to-
do. / do not know how or what
financial condition the others were
In when they passed away.
Accounts gained from veterans
who knew the members Of the old
Reds, and who were themselves
classy ball players Of the early '70s,
agree that the Cincinnati stars were
real head1iners, men who could have
borne themselves with credit in the
present generation.
Bratnard, q dignified person with
long whiskers, was a foxy pitcher,
and old pictures indicate that he
sent them up much after the
fashion Of Carl Mays. Allison was
Internationally a great catcher. one
OF the best OF the early tribe. Gould
could play a remarkable first base,
and took wild throws in a fashion
that would win applause even in
these speedy times. Sweazy and
Waterman were so good that their
services were in demand for years.
and they ranked with the best Of
the decade between 1870 and 1880.
George Wright, so many veterans
think, never had a superior as a
shortstop or as a murderous bats
man. Incompatible in the bare
handed day, what would he have
accomplished with the gloved de-
tense Of modern times?
All Of the Outfielders, Harry
Wright, Cal McVey and Andy
Leonard, were rated as head.
liners for some years after the
Reds dfsbandcd. Man for man,
therefore, the old club ranked
with the best Of the early outfits;
invincible In 1859 almost irwin
chile In 1870, it was fully as good
g any Of the championship clubs
enaf followed mp to 1880.
Horc's one thing that should be
Remembered! The Reds were real
Removal Sal