Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-13
WEIGHED ONLY $50
YEAR OF HIS DEBUT
Might Learn to Play Some
Day." Manager Told Him
at End of Season.
BY ROGERS HORNSBY.
Copyright, 1929. by North American New
paper Alliance.)

IL
| (Copyright, 1929, by North American News
paper Aliance.)
Chapter ~.
~ My a young ball player with
ambition can realize the thrill
one gets out of a chance to
~ play in the big leagues.
When the manager OF the
| Denison Club in Texas handed me a
railroad ticket and told me I had been
sold to the st. Louis Cardinals I was so
excited I couldn't sleep.
MY dreams were coming true. I was
to go into the big show, and perhaps
be Famous some day, like Ty Cobb and
Hans Wagner.
It didn't take me any time to pack
my things. I was ready for the train
hours before it arrived. I never for
got that long ride to st. Louis.
7 pictured what it would be like in
the big city in the big league. l N
dered if I might have a chance to meet
Ty Cobb and some of the other stars.
I saw myself getting into the game and
perhaps. hitting a home run with the
bases filled.
1 thought about the chance to make
big money and wear swell clothes. I
Inquired GIldt uldyDc oOALC Any i NOAAo
get more than SIS, 600 a season playing
ball, and then l could buy a nice little
home for my mother and make her
proud of me.
I can't say I slept much on my ride
to St. Louis. In the first place I wasn't
used to sleeping on trains, and in the
second place 1 was too excited. I
thought out everything carefully, and
determined to make good. I wished I
wa bigger and heavier and older. /
weighed only 130-my weight now is
178. 1t required all the courage ! had
to prepare myself to join that club Of
big leaguers.
His Sympathy For Rockies.
Miller Higgins, present manager Of
the New York Yankees, managed the
Cardinals then. / wondered what kind
Of a fellow he would be-if he would be
rough with me and call me down II I
didn't do everything correctly right
from the start.
When l think of all the worrying I
did, I feel a warm sympathy for any
boy going into the big leagues for his
first trial. I know just what he is
thinking about, and how gratifying it
is to get a word of encouragement from
the manager now and then.
Although I felt shaky in the knees, I
tried not to show it when / reported
to Higgins. 1 introduced myself. He
gave me a quick up and down. I
thought he showed disappointment and
he didn't seem greatly interested.
Things were awfully cold. Higgins in
PRODUCED me to a few OF the regular
players. They scarcely noticed me.
But / was going to make them notice
me before the remaining few weeks of
the season were over. Higgins had
the trainer get me a uniform. It was
miles too big. I felt awfully small and
awkward In 1t. I wished I could fill it.
And then I looked at Higgins and
saw what a little fellow he was, and
how, regardless Of that. he had made
himself famous as a player. I was a
lot taller than he, but I didn't weigh
much
My first day with the team Higgins
sent me to work out at shortStop for a
part of the practice. After I had
handled a couple of ground balls ! for
got my nervousness. I went after every
thing on each side Of me, and thought
I did surprisingly well. I knew I had
a good arm.
IAN Right" Said Higgins.
"All right. kid, that's enough" said
Higgins finally, and that was all he
did say. I wished he would say m
thing else, either good OF bad. about
me. But he just seemed to forget I
was there.
1t was about that way the rest of the
season. I got into a few games. I hit
the ball pretty we'll. But no seemed
to notice me. I admit I was discour-
aged. One day in the hotel lobby in
Chicago I overheard a remark by a re-
porter travelling with us. He was talk
ing with a Chicago reporter.
We've got a great looking prospect
in a young fellow named Hornsby," he
said. That was the first good word I
had heard.
When the season ended Higgins
came to me.
Well, kid, you look as If you might
learn to play ball some day" he re-
marked, casually. II wish you we're
bigger"
I returned to Texas somewhat dis
couraged.
X n y \
(Next-What a Farm Did for Hornsby.)