Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 198, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 August 1918 — THIS OLD TIMER WOULD PRAY [ARTICLE]

THIS OLD TIMER WOULD PRAY

Mickey Welch, Once Famous Pitcher With Giants, Relied on Religion In Tight Pinches. Veteran fans will recall that famous, old-time New York Giant pitcher by the name of Michael (Mickey) Welch. The New York roster shows that he twirled for that noted club- from the years 1883 to 1892, inclusive. Welch was a religious man. We have this on the word of a man who caught him on a club In New York state before Mickey reached the big brush. Here’s the way this catcher, whose name is Wilson, tells of his experience with Welch: “We’d be in a tight hole,” says this former catcher, “and Td see Mickey’s lips move. I’d immediately set myself for the shock, because I knew he was going to send across the swiftest he had in his collection. And when I say swift I mean one that would take a fellow off his pins if he wasn’t ready. Mickey always said a prayer when in a tight place.”