Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-28

professional bah. being with Pittsburgh BestoI
and Philadelphia Athletics in addition to om
own Nationals. His picture Is here with tina
Nationals Of 1882. and 1t is . good picture OF
him today, and to see him and talk with him
no one would ever believe without knowing Of
course. that he played professional bali as far
back 1880. He has been for years employed
Ia the Government Printing Once and during
his spare moments gives some Of his time to
the position Of assistant secretary Of the Asso-
citation Of Oldest Inhabitants and to other ac-
tivities.
A MOTHER player the writer met in his quest
Tor information was Aioysius C. JOY who has
charge Of the Knights Of Columbus Hall, go
Tenth street northwest. You win recognize
him as being the youngest looking player in
the picture Of the Nationals of 1882, which, by
the way. he loaned for this story. Mr. Joy
played hrst base and gave up professional ball
IN 1885, He, too. shows evidences that time
has been very good to him. Few of the men
In this picture are living today. Charles H.
Kaibfus Of the City Post ONCE son of the late
Thomas B. Kalbfus, q well known Washington
newspaper man. is still much In evidence and
perhaps others that the writer does not
know of.
II might be interesting TO look back to the
time when the present park was first opened
April Is. 1891. That year the Washington team
was in the American Association and upon this
occasion was playing with the Bostons who
walked away with the game, Go. Being the
thirteenth Of the month, 1t was certainly q bad
starter for the grounds. Maybe some Of the
readers we're there upon that occasion Carsey
and Mcguire were Washingtons battery and
Haddock and Farrell looked after Boston,s
interest. The Nationals full lineup was Nc
Query. Smalley, Halfield. Beecher, Dunlap
Vsner, Hines, CASEY and MCGUIRE.
HE Washingtons have had some good man
ayers in the past, but perhaps none the
equal Of Clark Griffith and they have had some
fine ball-tossers and managers, too in days
gone by, but none quite as good as Walter
Johnson-at least that seems to be the con-
sensus of opinion. Among the managers we
might mention James Manning, Tom LOTUS,
J. Garland Stahl Joseph Cantillon. Jimmie Me-
Aleer and the present manager. All these have
been since the club joined the American League
But OF course We must not leave out Bucky
Harris. who piloted to q world championship in
1924 and the American League championship
in 1925
It would be hard to pick out the best PLAYERS
In past years, but every one will agree that
Win Mercer, McJames, Farrell. Hines and Nc
CURE were unexcelled in their day
If we go back into the dark ages" we viii
find such names as Jim Bangs, Dick Mclean
for many years with The Star and a great
catcher with the Junior Nationals, and the
Doyle brothsrs-Joseph E., who played first
base with the Forest City team of Rockford.
III; Jacob Dixon. lieutenant com rander
q. S. NJ. retired who played with the Junior
Nationals and then went with the Jeffersons,
and John Hadley, who played with the Creigh-
tons. and who told the writer that Jim Bangs
was the first curved ball pitcher in Washington
but Billy Wise also told him that this honor
was due to Homer Cater of the Washington
Eagles and that after him came Delaney end
Pete Bannon.
OF the great players of the past whom we
regard as our own boys none will stand higher
than PAM Hines, Joe Gerhardt. Sadie" Houck.
Charlie Snyder, Arthur Develin, doc" White
and Babe" Trott
However, lets ell root now for another
championship!