Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-09
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAV BY FRANCIS sTANN
Best of the SpitboIIers

IN MD-wINTER Of 1851 the National League cee-
brated its 18th birthday and among the distinguished
guests Big Ed Walsh He looked to be about brawny
and black of hair.
Thus it comes something of shock to fans to
realize that Walsh in Florida hospital is listed
Is The hospital attendants must have done few double
takes when Ed revealed his age Yet he has nearly
S. who pitched for the White Sox so years ago after
graduating from Notres Dame.
Walsh came up 70 the White Sox In 1904 from Newark
He big and handsome, and fully aware Of his looks
His fast bali had hop. The only trouble that he
couldn't control it, and a fielding pitcher he
atrocious
The sox according % rep6rs had no great plans for
Walsh and to his devices There happened
to be unframed pitcher Elmer strckett who intrigued
the younger with his spitba sricklet said he learned
to throw it when he pitched for the Philadelphia Nationals
THE ALMOST FORGOTTEN walsh started to wet his
fingers and let ny. The pitch a constant OF
mystery the way 1t took on tangents The result
hours Of practice and later recognition In the Hall Of
Fame as perhaps the greatest of all spba pitchers
stricklet not only was surpassed. but drifted
away when he developed arm and Of further
use TO the White Sox.
They said OF Stricklett, he passed into oblivion
"The spitban makes sore" History refutes such
contention. Walsh, himself. pitched as long he was
physically able. which was long time Jack Chesbro.
Burleigh Grimes Urban Faber and few other spitbaer
went on year after year.
In fact 20 years after Walsh learned the splitter in
1904 he coaching the White Sox pitchers This
at Winter Haven, Fla and someone asked him II he
could still throw the splitter.
$3.50
WALSH WHO EVEN IN 1924 was younger in appearance
than Of the Chicago pitchers looked scornul Then
Snowman that he'd always been he warmed up in front
of group Of curious spectators and then cut loose It
a good splitter. In fact, it was the best
Big Ed had good singing voice and acknowledged it,
He welmade and good looking and he walked with
Q strut
Hes the only man I've ever met" one commentator
said, who can strut sitting down."
His real great season was 1908 On the last day OF
the season the Tigers beat Doc White to O. to win the
the sox in contention that long.
walsh won 40 games that year. On the next to last
day Of the he beat Detroit for No. 40 And I'm
ready to start tomorrows game, Ed told Fielder Jones'
the manager.
MANAGER JONES DIDN'T start Walsh but the big
sptbaer was used in relief 1t his seth game that
In the last eight days Of that close Walsh
appeared in six games. r. NA
His record for durabilty-he pitched 4s4 innings in
U8may stand forever On September 90 1908 he worked
both games Of double-header against Boston. He won
BOTH but he in better form in the opener In that
he gave up three hits In the second game the Red sox
got four
He was famed Of course, as q member OF the White
sox itless Wonders Of 1906 There Walsh TO pitch
and, Of course Doc White and Nick Altrock They were
not called the "itless Wonders" for nothing The tor
hitter Frank Bald Eagle) Isbe had average Of 27o
The regular third baseman, Lee Tannehill, had IT'S
sass
BIG ED NEVER GOT old, nor did he ever lose his
cockness At the National Leagues 18th birthday cee-
braton, Moe Berg talking TO Walsh when reporter
walked up.
"Td like you TO meet Big Ed Walsh" Moe said.
The reporter looked askance. Quit kidding Moe" he
said. walsh must be 10 years old.
NO." Walsh replied shaking hands. I'm only &c."
And later In the ballroom Of the old Broadway Central
Hotel he was playing back some Of the years
Ruth hit 60 home in season." he said "There
are quite few fellows who hit anywhere from 80 10 20
year. Let tell you about that 1908 season. won 40
games and whole club that year hit exactly three
hHms runs Jones the manager E one Isbell hit another
4 Il got the third"