Evening star., 1959-12-01
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW B, FRANCIS s7Auu
The Accidental Extrovert
THERE ARE SOME figures

sports whom the gods touch sparingly with skls yet
compensate in other ways Such John Collins
Bondy) Ryan, whose ticket punched the age Of
81 following heart attack.
Bondy Ryan was a pleasant efervescent young man
who remembered here at least far better than many
gifted athletes He originally came out of Lynn,
Mass and played football and baseball Holy Cross with
considerable skill But when he turned to pro baseball the
pitchers owned him pretty much although he knew how
to make the infeld plays
Bondy played only season as a full -fedged regu-
lar in the big leagues hitting 2S but the year happened
to be 1888 and that when he ShortSop for the
New York Giants and sent The Telegram. 1t made him
famous far beyond his abilities. Yet the publicity was
accidental.
The recipient of the wire Bill Terry manager and
first baSeman of the Giants, and the message read
THEY CAN'T BEAT US STOP AM ON MY WAY.
BLONDY."
WHAT HAPPENED WAS that Ryan, who had been
doing very well for the Giants considering that he had
been bargaincouner purchase from Atlanta spiked
the left ankle just before the club make its
western swing The Giants who leading the
National League and heading for World Series with the
Senator'S left Blondy in New York for treatment.
Aside from himself, Terry didn't have much of an
tnted but still the temporary loss of Ryan didn't appear
serious But during the week Blondy away from the
club the Giants faered and the Pirates began charge
In New York Ryan restless and anxious to reoin
the team When the docs pronounced him ready BOndy
highaled it to the railroad station and just before board
ing train for ST. Louis dashed off his wire to let Mana
do The prelude was merely way of reaffirming his
faith in his teammates.
Ryan was no braggart Ebulent yet but he was aware
of his limitations, Hal Schumacher who was his
teammate, remembers. But overnight Blondy became
Character.
THE PRESS CORPS travelling with the Giants origi-
nally published the telegram note. But when Ryan
resumed his position at shortSop and the club began
win again. the topic blown up and, indeed Ryans
words-They Can't Beat Us-became sort of battle cry
Fans across the Nation got chuckle out of the Incl
dent of supposedly brash bush Lacquer telling the world
that he, carrying 238 batting average dashng to
the of the beleaguered Terry, Off, Hubbe Schu
macher Co. They classified Bondy with Dizzy Dean and
other noted extroverts and eccentrics of the day.
AS it developed, Ryan was big help to the Giants,
not only winning the pennant but in upsetng the
favored Senators in the SERIES After losing the
first two games in New York. the Senators to life in
Griffith Stadium and Earl Whitehill 40 decision.
But in the fourth game Ryan, less singled in the 1th
inning to break Ii te and in the Senator's half of the
inning it was Blondy who started the double play Cliff
Bolton that broke the Senators backs
THE GIANTS who had finished sixth in 1892 John
McGraws final season. didn't shape up much of ball
club except for pitching Things looked rough in spring
training in California In fact afternoon at cocktail
hour Los Angeles where the Giants were stopping was
shaken by earthquake This the time John Drebn
ger of the New York Times pulled his classic line he
joined the dash into the streets
For moment" Drebnger squeaked, 'I thought it
something in my drink"
Terry the only 300 hitter the club, although
Mel OFT hit % home Otherwise the ned had such
light hitters Hughey Crtz at second base Ryan at
short and Johnny Vergez the aging Travis Jackson
at third.
Late in the season. when Vergez was lost due to an
appendectomy Terry borrowed" the 35-yearold Chuck
Dresser from Nashville for neld insurance While he
didn't play, Dresser made contribution (Which he likes
to remember when he called time Bolton pinchbated
in Washingtons promising end of the 18th inning
"I know this guy from the Southern Association I"
Dresser vouched "HeS slow and if you Ryan
couple of steps and make Bolton hit the ground you've
got sure double play"
Terry took his advice and Bolton slammed hard
smash directly at Ryan The double play off and the
game was over to Giants The next day they wrapped
up the series.