Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-02
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Local Boy Comes Home
IF YOU'VE EVER WONDERED wi

IF YOU'VE EVER WONDERED what became of the big
tough character actor who snapped movie punches with
Victor McLaglen and other rough ready species he
Pat Flahertys in townen route to making his next million
in the East
Some few in Washington know of Pat Flaherty, who
also happens to be the older brother of Vince coumnSt
the Los Angeles Examiner. Pat hometown boy had
couple of cups of coffee with the Washington Senator's
He pitched in the minors, boxed and played pro football
Like Vince, he is about the size of silo.
Pats title is director of advertising and public
relations for Sperry Piedmont at Charlottesville Va,
division of the Sperry Rand Corp which is division under
Gen. Douglas Macarthur chairman of the board fancy
title Pats but when he dropped by the sports department
it to cut up old touches
Pat spied l8-inch statue of pitcher in wndup
the only objet dart in the shop.
ICY Young?" he asked.
mo- Walter Johnson"
TOO heavy for Johnson" objected Pat.
81 think it must have been scuptured in 1925 1927"
Pat was told. you weren't here"
FLAHERTY NODDED. st went to spring training with
Washington first in IT. he said Then again in 18 got
to know Walter very well, although only busher
I'll forget the first trip At the time the Senators
trained in Augusta Ga.
THE squad arrived in group and went to the hotel
While the others asked for their keys at the desk
hung back waited until lobby was empty Then
asked the clerk he had Pat Faherty the rooming list
Il was almost surprised when he gave key
hustled up to $685. such number and opened
the door. fellow who unpacking looked up.
I'm new guy" stammered. pat Flaherty"
I'm roomie guess" the other guy said eddie
Eddie Ansmith He was one of my heroes and was
to room with HIM Mani"
There lot of noise coming from the connecting
The door ajar
who's in there? asked Ainsmith
"'Water johnson and zeb Milan Eddie told Then
knew lucky busher Johnson, Milan and Ainsmith
for roommates"
PAT NEVER QUITE CUT the mustard in the big leagues
although he pitched for in the high minors from
end of the country the other he got his during
his days with the Senators.
johnson used to astonish with his speed" Pat said
so right off the bat 1 said to him.
How is it that I'm just big as you and can only
throw half as fastY
walter shook his head but he did try to help me- 1
think he did, too, but far from Johnson Still,
never saw his real speed close until day when
held one of those yannigan-regula games.
Il fancied myself pretty good hitter The night before
the ntra-squad game got cocky and said Ainsmith
"T may not get hit of Johnson tomorrow but I'll
bet $40 don't strike out I'll stand up to that plate with
my bat so choked up that Walters pitches will have
to hit it.
EDDIE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING and so the next day
we played" Pat went you how Johnson was
he'd give the guys break and let them hit the ball
But when MY turn came to bat Ainsmith who was of
course, catching, yelled:
Here he is Waer-the big hitter"
THAT was the first l knew Ainsmth had tipped on
Johnson never the next three pitches They
just blurs and bat moved Then Walter put
hands on his knees and laughed until the
his eyes"
There's scarcely old-timer in sports Pat Faherty
didn't know He worked in Hollywood with Jim Thorpe and
Jim Jeffrtes He played roles like tough Marine, prize
fighter, football and baseball pitcher manager etc
Between times he wrote magazine pieces He has an
unfinished book on Thorpe in his trunk now You know
what should have been?" Pat asked "A sportswrter
always envied the soft life Instead Vince became
The elder Flaherty wouldn't have cared for the life
Not enough action.