A Ball Player's Career: Being the Personal Experiences and Reminiscensces of Adrian C. AnsonAnson, Adrian C. (Adrian Constantine)
History
A Ball Player's Career: Being the Personal Experiences and Reminiscensces of Adrian C. Anson
Anson, Adrian C. (Adrian Constantine)
Baseball
John E. Clapp, the regular catcher of the Athletics, was a cool, quiet,
plucky fellow, and one of the best catchers at that time the profession
could boast of. He hailed originally from New York, I believe, and while
in England surprised the cricketers by his fine catching, no ball being
too hot for him to handle. Unless I am greatly mistaken, he is now a
member of the Ithaca, N. Y., police force, and an honored member of the
blue-coat and brass-button brigade.
James Dickson McBride, who was better known the country over as "Dick"
McBride, was at that time the most experienced man in his position that
the country could boast of, he having been the regular pitcher of the
Athletics since 1860. He had speed in a marked degree, plenty of pluck
and endurance and a thorough command of the ball. He was a man of
brains, who always played to win, and to his hard work and general
knowledge of the fine points of the game the Athletics owed much of
their success. "Dick" was a good cricketer, too, that being his game
prior to his appearance on the diamond. He hailed from the Quaker City,
where he still resides, having a good position in the postoffice.
West D. Fisler was a fine, all-around ball player, remarkable for his
coolness and nerve. He was a very quiet sort of fellow and one of the
last men that you would pick out for a really great player. He could
play any position on the team, was thoroughly honest and always played
the best he knew how. He is still living in the neighborhood of
Philadelphia, and though not rich in this world's goods, has still
enough to live on.
Joe Batten was the youngest member of the Athletic team and at that time
quite a promising young player. He did not last long with the Athletics,
however, and after playing on one or two other league teams he dropped
out sight. He was a bricklayer by trade, and the last time I heard of
him he was in St. Louis working at his trade.
Ezra B. Sutton then ranked as one of the best third-base players in the
country. He was one of the most accurate throwers that I ever saw; a
splendid fielder and a good batter, though not a particularly heavy one.
When he finally quit the game he settled down in business at Rochester,
where he was still living the last I heard of him. A good man was
Sutton, and one that would compare very favorably with the best in his
line at the present day.
M. H. McGeary was a Pennsylvanian by birth, though not a Dutchman, as
his name goes to prove. He was not only an effective and active
shortstop but a good change catcher as well, being noted for his
handling of sharp fly tips while in the latter position. He was in
Philadelphia when last heard from, and doing fairly well.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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