Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 232, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 October 1914 — USED CURVE BALL BUT ONCE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

USED CURVE BALL BUT ONCE

Pitcher Harry Gaspar Hoodwinked Manager Clarke Griffith While With Cincinnati Team. Harry Gaspar, who pitched for Clarke Griffith a few years ago, broke into fast companjpbecause he learned Griffith’s weakness was a curve ball pitcher, and was wise enough to take advantage of it Griffith, while manager for the Cincinnati club, had practically picked his twirling corps for the season. There was some doubt about Gaspar catching on. Gaspar was a wise old owl, and had plenty of pluck, but didn’t have a curve ball. “If daspar shows me a curve before the seasons opens, he’ll land,” said Griffith. Somebody tipped this off to Gaspar, and Harry got busy. It wasn’t much at a curve, and he could throw it only about a half dozen times inran afternoon—but it was a curve. Griffith walked up behind Gaspar on the day he had set for deciding the make up of his staff. Gaspar was pitching. To Griffith’s amazement, he saw Gaspar throw a beautiful incurve.

Four more followed. Then Griffith walked away. Gaspar had cinched his job, but it has been recorded that he didn’t pitch another real curve ball as long as h& remained in the big show, although one of the best pitchers in the league that year.

Harry Gaspar.