Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 89, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1910 — “Tommy” Kevin Writes a Letter To Our Baseball Manager. [ARTICLE]

“Tommy” Kevin Writes a Letter To Our Baseball Manager.

"Tommy” Kevin, the midget third baseman who played with the Wrens last year, has written a letter to Manager L. A. Harmon, stating that he will be glad to get a berth here again this year. He. states that he has an offer to play with Joe Graber’s “Webers,” a new semi-pro team, but thinks ’he would sooner come to Rensselaer. And then he gives himself away as follows: “The truth is, I rather like the little trip to “Wrenville” and the fun that goes with it,” having reference, of course, to the ladies, for whom “Tommy” had a inarked admiration. He says Hanks is at his old tricks, allowing Lake Forest University only 3 hits, and that he himself is hitting like a fool and playing generally “clear over my head.” He asks to have his regards given to the faithful fans and his love to the charming “fannettes” and closes by saying that "a soft day job helps one’s batting average” which is interpreted to mean that if “Tommy” could land a job that wasn’t too hard, he would come here to stay during the baseball season. A funny incident ocurred at the last game of baseball at Oxford. There were a warm lot of rooters lined up along the 3d base line and they were having it nip and tuck with “Tommy” who held his own with the combined lot for some time. Finally “Tommy” went after a grounder which slipped up his sleeve and got away from him and the Oxford partisans went wild with their taunts. It was coming a little too strong for oven good-natured Kevin to stand and when one of the Oxford rooters rudely jabbed him with a stick, “Tommy” turned around and called him something that would not look good in print. There was a general advance toward him with a demand that he “take it back.” He moved over from the 3d base and when he heard the demand for his withdrawal of the objectionable language he turned against his assailants and said by way of justification: “Aw, go wan, didn’t ye see him prod me in de ribs mit de stick.” The expression of disgust and anger on his face was amusing and had the effect of stopping the assault, but after the game was over and as “Tommy’ was in an automobile ready to start back home, five or six big ruffians came up to the machine and threatened to take him out and thrash him unless he apologized for his language. And having a date With a girl that evening and wishing to look as presentable as possible, “Tommy” took ’er back and the incident was closed. The Wrens wouldn’t look quite right this year without the midget at the three-quarters post. “Generally debilatcd for years. Had sick headaches, lacked ambition, was worn-out and all run-down. Burdock’s Blood Bitters made me a well woman ’’ —Mrs. Chas. Freitoy, Moosup, Conn.