Saturday, May 13, 2006

Unusual eloquence

A good eye distinguishes Arthur D. Hittner as a historian of the Wagner era. Page 42, quoting a report from September 1896:

Wagner's batting eye had returned, as evidenced by a two-homer outburst against Wilmington in Olympic Park. The latter blast, a seventh inning grand slam which broke open a tie game, was described with unusual eloquence in the local press:
Then Hannes stepped up to the plate, threw out his shoulders, clenched his teeth and waited. The first ball was satisfactory, and he drove it with mighty force in the direction of City Hall. He sprinted home, while the rooters turned insane with joy.

Hannes there is Honus, also known as Hans, also known as Hannes, also known as Johannes.

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