Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-03-05
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW 5, FRANCIS s7Auu
The Funny Mon Who Pitched

SARASOTA, FLA, MAR. 5.-The other day, when they
put old Nick Arock in hospital after heart attack Coach
Del Baker of the Red Sox said
81 hear it bad And just couple of mornings
ago he sitting the hotel porch cutting touches with
"Well" said one who has known Nick for a long time
she's tough old gafer. No cat had lives"
Ncks first scare he used to tell the story turned out
to be fancied ut back 1907" doctor
told me had synoyitiS of finger my pitching hand.
heard of synovs and figured it must be serious
made out my will"
But there other times that dro Twenty
six after his ynovs Nick sent home from train
ing camp in Biloxi Miss when his heart acted up He made
quick recovery for Arock not only coached at first base
and cowned all season. but October he became the old
est man to appear in major league game.
In the last of the 1888 season. after the Senators
had cnched the pennan Nick pinch-ht gag He ST.
**
SIXTEEN YEARS AGO. Nick was warming his s. year-old
bones in the Sarasota waiting for the Senators
semble in Florida when he taken with unaccountabe
thirst for grapefruit tree Climbing for the capture
he slipped and broke his leg fearuly that amputaton
was recommended Luckily noted bone doctor saved the
leg but he warned:
Mick, it's unlikely you'll walk again without aid"
Late that summer Atrock back in uniform
crucheS teaching the Washington pitchers his famed pick
off technique.
However, Nick who was born in 1876 lived life that was
mostly filled with laughs and during his heyday, diamond
thrills Even the latter he twisted toward the humorous
he recouned them AS for instance when Manager Fielder
Jones of the White SoX surprised starting Nick in the
1906 World Series against of Cubs
"Since Fielder lived me-" he related 1--WE took the
hack to the park. asked why he was jumpy"
Il don't know who to PITCH" Jones confessed
Let me take it" Altrock said
81 FOUND OUT LATER that OIL Fielder didn't really nod
his head yes, just had witch But thought it
all settled and started to up and Fielder didn't
switch to anybody else"
Altrock the first of the Series when he won
81 duel from Brown each allowing four hits Later
got by beating Nick, To- but the Hess Wonders
took the classic in six games.
the biggest celebration life
In his home town of Cincinnati the good burghers planned
homecoming parade for their hero his train
and two dozen horSe-drawn hacks and German band
headed to downtown banquet.
eve went about six blocks" Nick remembered, when
fireworks started busting loose-sky rockets red fire. big
crackers The charge of the parade looked surprised
Turned out political bgwig speak rally that
night and his had given fireworks to stoekeepers
along the parade route When they my parade
along they fired 'em by mistake"
Five years later Altrock released by City,
finished in the high minors "You just turned loose the
best pitcher in the American Association Nick told
Charley Carr w be back in the big leagues stay long
after you're gone"
WHAT CARR DIDN'T KNOW was that Clark Griffith
manager of Washington, had promised Altrock job
But what Nick didn't know that coaching not
pitching job But his prophecy Carr true otherwise
He remained Grs payroll for the As years. ably
coaching and later becoming what fans considered the
funniest clown in baseball his old partner AL Schacht
included.
final pitching thrill remained for Nick however and
this happened in 98 three years after Atrock had hurled
his last competitive pitch The Senators moved into Detroit
with GrthS staff shot that Nick asked to start
game "Just go far you cam Griff pleaded II don't
expect any full performance"
Neither did Nick, but he went the distance and shut
the Tigers, 20 But there was snapper here, too.
Bursting with pride Nick stroled into saloon for his
prednner of beer and eggs Above the bar
scoreboard Altrocks 20 victory prominent in its
Splendor.
'Beats all how baseball in families" patron
remarked within earshot. Il remember when fellow
Altrock pitched for Louisville in the old National
League. guess he's got kid who pitched for Washington
today"
Nick gulped down his beer and went out into the night
lie another game.