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Show SILVER FLINT WAS GREAT BACKSTOP One of the greatest outfielders that ever scampered for the sizzling long drives was discussing catchers recently. recent-ly. He was George' Gore, In his day one of the fleetest fielders, heaviest hitters, and finest ball players. Cen-torriolder Cen-torriolder ou the famous Chicago White Stockings that under Anson won pennant after pennant, Gore was in a class by himself. "Frank Flint of our team." Baid Gore, "was the greatest catcher who ever lived. He knew more than an other man with the mask. He had the greatest head of any mnn in the business. Nobody before or since could touch Flint. "Every pitcher he ever handled he made ?t tar. Look at Fred Goldsmith Gold-smith and Larry Corcoran. Neither of these men ever showed much when they were with other clubs Once Frank took them in hand they all developed de-veloped Into stars. He could make cracks out of every pitcher who ever took tho slab. Show mo the backstop back-stop today who can take any pitcher and make a marvel out of him. -1 "Goldsmith was able to pitch for i for several years after his arm wa3 like a plate of Ice cream because he had Flint behind the bat. Corcoran, you know, was a slightly built man and as cranky a the dickens. 'The White Stockings were out In California at tho time that Hurlburt was president o' the club Corcoran had been heard about by our men. but his sour disposition had queered him with a- number of them. Hurlburt was loath to take him. However, no talked with Silver. 'Get him.' said Frank, and I'll do the rest.' So Hurl-butt Hurl-butt took Larry. Our president was a big man physically, and about as imagine Wrk for RB you com "The boss called Corcoran to him. look hero" said the president, pointing point-ing to Flint, 'that fellow Is your boss. You do everything he asks you and don't you disobey him, or I'll fire you right off tho reel ' Corcoran started. He obeyed implicitly im-plicitly and everything went along finely Larry was soon ono of the best twirlcrs in the league. One day ho got one of his cranky fILs on him'. Ho wouldn't obey the signals and crossed Silver several times. The latter took off his mask and went into the box. " 'Larry,' he said quietly, but his eyes were snapping, 'you cither do what I say or you go straight Into tho clubhouse I don't care which you do. Now got busy,' Larry turned around and became reasonable. "After the game Hurlburt was sitting sit-ting in the grandstand. Corcoran came out of the clubhouse, dressed and the boss was waiting for him. He called the pitcher to him. "Look here, Lawrence.' Law-rence.' said the old man, 'didn't I tell you that Frank was your boss Now, if you let another yip out of you like vou did today you'll be firod so quickly quick-ly your head will swim.' "Corcoran never bothered again. He was only a fair twirlcr. But Frank had him trained to the minute. Yes. there was never a backstop ever lived could touch Frank Flint," ended George. |