- Squad that Collected Along the Way Have First Practice This Morning
- Hauser Still Weak
February 24, 1914 Age 23
By Marion F. Parker, Sporting Editor Globe-Democrat, at Cardinals’ Training Camp
St. Augustine, Fla., Miller Huggins’ bunch of Cardinal ball tossers began collecting here in earnest today, and when the supper bell rang this evening, fourteen athletes, including the littlest manager in the business, made a rush for the dining room, after a day of loafing in the sunshine here and at Jacksonville.
This squad was called on the installment plan. At St. Louis it took three reporters, a photographer and acting secretary, Bob Connery, to see that Bill Steele was properly chaperoned, Bill being the only ball player in the party.
Just after passing Birmingham an anxious-looking chap was found strolling around on the train looking for a berth, and it turned out to be W. B. Hopper, one of the Cardinal twirlers who winters down South, Louisiana being his home state. That was the extent of the party that arrived at Jacksonville this morning.
Manager Huggins was expected to meet the party or leave word where he could be found at Jacksonville, but when the latter point was reached, Huggins was not to be found, and Scout Connery had to use some of his scouting ability to locate the small-sized manager. At first he was reported not to be at the hotel he intended going to, and the entire party from St. Louis took up the trail. Huggins finally was located in the hotel and still in bed. When the scouting expedition knocked at his door, Huggins took a peek out, clothed mostly in nature ‘s garb, and when he saw what the invasion was he slammed the door and locked it. Pleadings failed to get him to come out until he had completed his toilet.
Looks Like Real Training Squad
Perritt and Niehaus were at the hotel with Huggins, and, pulling out of Jacksonville for St. Augustine, the party for the first time began to look like a real springtime baseball squad. When the party arrived here, its members found Glenn, Hagerman, Dressen, Beck, Charles Miller and Billington awaiting them. Late in the evening Doak and Butler showed up in time to get in on the eating program. As Huggins has thirty-three men expected to report, this still leaves nineteen on the waiting list. But most of these are veterans, who are not expected to report until next month.
Reception Misses Fire.
One of the things which missed fire here today was the reception planned for the Cardinal squad. There is a circus in town and the band was obtained for the affair. A big automobile sightseeing car was sent to the station to carry the squad to the hotel.
The bunch was supposed to get in on a train leaving Jacksonville at 9 o’clock, arriving an hour later. The automobile was at the station as per schedule, and so was the band. Upon instruction, the latter opened up with “Hail, the Conquering Heroes Come.” Or something of that sort, as soon as the people started to get out of the train, but no players were there and the joke was on the celebrators.
The team came quietly into town a couple of hours later and made its way to the hotel via street cars, just about as well pleased.
This celebration stunt is not looked upon with much favor by the ball players, who are superstitious about it. Now they figure, since the celebration fizzled out, that it is an omen of a successful training trip.
Stands and Fences Not Finished.
The stands and fences at the park are not finished yet, but they will not be used for some time to come. The first games here are scheduled for March 5,6,7 with Connie Mack’s Athletic recruits and regulars, the Cardinals also using a mixed team.