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Big Six · 05-26-2003, 04:51 PM

(If your main interest lies in Pat's performance in the All-Star Game, he went 1-3 with 2 walks, scoring two runs and stealing a a base. The American League defeated the National League, 9-3.)

227 Elm Street
Stockbridge, Massachusetts

July 8, 1909

Dear Patrick,

It was wonderful to receive your letter yesterday, informing me of your performance in the All-Star Game last week. Would it surprise you to learn that I was already aware of many of the details of the contest? I purchased a copy of The Sporting News, and read accounts of the game in the Boston paper. So, you see, I have begun to come around to the realization that an afternoon spent following the fortunes of a ball-playing son is not such a bad thing after all!

I know how gratifying it must have been for you to be selected to start the game, and to be able to travel to Chicago with your teammates Mr. Cravath and Mr. Carrigan. Unless I misread the box score, it also appears that you played all nine innings as well, while several of the other players were removed for substitutes. I confess to being partial, but I can certainly understand why Mr. Jennings would wish to leave a player who had reached base three times in five chances in the game. The play-by-play account of the game in The Sporting News helped me understand the statement I have heard from the grandstand on several occasions: “A walk’s as good as a hit.” When you led off the fifth inning with that base on balls and promptly stole second, you may as well have hit a double.

The seventh inning must have been very exciting! A three-base hit, with runners scurrying around the bases, is one of the things I find most thrilling when I watch a game in person. That one Mr. Carrigan hit must have been a mighty clout, for as I remember, Bill is not a swift runner! You need not have feared he would run you down as you scored from first base, I am convinced.

Speaking of your friend Mr. Carrigan, I am very sorry to hear about his broken wrist, and that he will see no further action this season. Will he be permitted to travel with the team, despite his injury? I know you enjoy his company. Please pass my best wishes along to him. We have a young man in our firm now who attended Holy Cross with him, and he speaks as highly of him as you do.

I suppose I shall have to close this letter soon, but there is one more thing I wish to tell you. I did everything in my power to persuade you to pursue some other calling than that of a professional ball player. I always have, however, encouraged you to pursue excellence, and from my limited knowledge of the game, it does appear that you have been very successful. At the very least, those who know more about it than I do certainly seem to believe that is the case. I want you to know how proud I am of you, of your application of your talents to achieve success. And, I confess that there is some degree of pride in being the father of a man whose name appears in the papers with some regularity and for largely positive accomplishments!

When the team returns to Boston, your mother and I will make every effort to make a trip east to see a game. Until then I remain,

Affectionately,
“Dad”

05-26-2003, 04:51 PM	#55 (permalink)
Big Six Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 2,410 Thanks: 117 Thanked 91x in 73 posts	A supportive letter (If your main interest lies in Pat's performance in the All-Star Game, he went 1-3 with 2 walks, scoring two runs and stealing a a base. The American League defeated the National League, 9-3.) 227 Elm Street Stockbridge, Massachusetts July 8, 1909 Dear Patrick, It was wonderful to receive your letter yesterday, informing me of your performance in the All-Star Game last week. Would it surprise you to learn that I was already aware of many of the details of the contest? I purchased a copy of The Sporting News, and read accounts of the game in the Boston paper. So, you see, I have begun to come around to the realization that an afternoon spent following the fortunes of a ball-playing son is not such a bad thing after all! I know how gratifying it must have been for you to be selected to start the game, and to be able to travel to Chicago with your teammates Mr. Cravath and Mr. Carrigan. Unless I misread the box score, it also appears that you played all nine innings as well, while several of the other players were removed for substitutes. I confess to being partial, but I can certainly understand why Mr. Jennings would wish to leave a player who had reached base three times in five chances in the game. The play-by-play account of the game in The Sporting News helped me understand the statement I have heard from the grandstand on several occasions: “A walk’s as good as a hit.” When you led off the fifth inning with that base on balls and promptly stole second, you may as well have hit a double. The seventh inning must have been very exciting! A three-base hit, with runners scurrying around the bases, is one of the things I find most thrilling when I watch a game in person. That one Mr. Carrigan hit must have been a mighty clout, for as I remember, Bill is not a swift runner! You need not have feared he would run you down as you scored from first base, I am convinced. Speaking of your friend Mr. Carrigan, I am very sorry to hear about his broken wrist, and that he will see no further action this season. Will he be permitted to travel with the team, despite his injury? I know you enjoy his company. Please pass my best wishes along to him. We have a young man in our firm now who attended Holy Cross with him, and he speaks as highly of him as you do. I suppose I shall have to close this letter soon, but there is one more thing I wish to tell you. I did everything in my power to persuade you to pursue some other calling than that of a professional ball player. I always have, however, encouraged you to pursue excellence, and from my limited knowledge of the game, it does appear that you have been very successful. At the very least, those who know more about it than I do certainly seem to believe that is the case. I want you to know how proud I am of you, of your application of your talents to achieve success. And, I confess that there is some degree of pride in being the father of a man whose name appears in the papers with some regularity and for largely positive accomplishments! When the team returns to Boston, your mother and I will make every effort to make a trip east to see a game. Until then I remain, Affectionately, “Dad” Last edited by Big Six; 05-26-2003 at 04:54 PM.