The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-05-29

I would like to have seen the
i youngster make those sensa-
tional recoveries and do his putting
in that play-off round Thursday
that gave him the Northwest open
title. He was pitted against two
clever, experienced. grizzled vet
Grams who knew all the tricks and
had been under heavy fire for
years Yet, undaunted by mis-
plays, he came on to win like a
champion with a sc -.
IF you'll look around the
grandstand at Athletic
park tonight you might see an
elderly, gray-haired Negro. i.
If you don't see him you
might be attracted to his pres
ence by a musical voice, laud-
ing a Tiger player. crying out
the blindness of the umpires
or putting the razberry on a
Bellingham player :.
And if you do see him Dan
Gibson, IS years old e.. . your eyes
will rest upon the dean of Tacoma
baseball fanatics, undoubtedly the
most outstanding fan the city has
known in its baseball history :.
Dan isn't as spry as he was way
back in 1889 when he voted for
Washington to become a state "a
great honor to him yet today and
saw the then Tacoma club, with
Earle, catcher, just down from the
big time
But his love for baseball runs
Just as deep. He shows at every
game he can, Dan and his cane.
His voice doesn't cry out with such
sustained expression and effort as
it did in the days of old. Still
when he does call. it is ever re-
mindful of the Dan Gibson of the
s'HH oSO
Dan, native of North Carolina
and a gentleman. never used abu-
sive language. He knew just how
far to 60, something many fans
never have learned, never will Dan
didn't go out to the park to be-
come enraged. He went to enjoy
the game, the privilege of express
ing his American humor =.
And. folks, he aCas humor-
Gus. No single fan erer sent
the multitudes into greater
concerted roars of laughter
than did Dan. When his rich,
musical C0ice cut the at
mosphere. There are mang
old timers among as today
who 1ciU tell you that Dan, IN
rightfield bledchers, Ods q
m or attraction at the
Dan came to the office to see me
the other day. He's been i'll for
some weeks, walks with a slow and
tired tread, leaning on his cane.
but he's up and around, too strong
w1lled to be kept down -.
Just thought Aid come by and
say hello" he said. Haven't been
any too well. But Ahm strong
enough to go out to that ball park
and do a mite of rootin' for them
Tigers -.
You know, Met, that Tiger club
out there that oil Hal Rhyme has is
a great club. Mighty fine boys,
mighty well handled. Best club
Alive seen since oil Mike Fisher
and his great Tigers ruled the
Coast. Yes, sir, boy yes,
sir" =.
And good old Dan cackled and
shook his gray head positively g..
and happily at the thought of the
way the Powerhous Gang has
been turning on the juice =.
"Pshaw," he said, Il knew that
club would come around into form
polish itself and step into Its
real class. And now look at 'em.
boy look at 'em. ANY club that
beats 'em out Is going to be cham
pion" =.
So. ! agreed with Dan about the
+ Tigers. And asked him what he
thought Of certain players
He said: Well. that boy Cliff
ford behind that bat is goin' places
far. He can't be stopped less he's
injured or something like that
Best young catcher An ever ss" IN
Northwest baseball" 49,.
Dan then went on TO praise the
ability of Gsrretson. first base
Aountain, outfield Abbott as
hitter Brady as a hurlef-
IN fact, he had a good word for
kvery member Of the club, even
j. your old column conductor -.
II Dan fhought the smoOthssf