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Big Six · 01-26-2004, 02:50 PM

Boston Herald, June 18, 1914

MATTY HAPPY IN BOSTON

BOSTON--Often, when an established star is traded from one club to another, he voices his displeasure at the fact.

Not so with Christy Mathewson, one of the finest pitchers to grace the mound in recent years, who was recently dealt from the Chicago Cubs to the Boston Red Sox for veteran pitcher Fred Burchell and hot pitching prospect "Zip" Zabel.

"I'm happy to be with the Red Sox," the 33-year-old Mathewson said with a smile. "The team has been in the pennant race every year for a while now, and it's always energizing to be with a club that knows how to win. I hope I can help us defend the World Championship this season."

Matty has fit in well with the Bostons, which have a mixture of veterans and young players. Fellow pitchers Tex Pruiett and Ralph Glaze have both passed their thirtieth birthdays, while Joe Wood, he of Series fame, is still only twenty-four. Wood, in particular, enjoys having Matty on the staff.

"From the time I arrived in Boston, I benefited greatly from having more experienced pitchers around. At first, it was Cy Young; then Pruiett and Glaze. Now, having Matty on the club gives me one more veteran to talk about pitching with. I can only come out ahead."

For Mathewson's part, he enjoys working with the young Boston pitchers. "I wish I had Joe Wood's fastball," he said with a chuckle. "I try to help him, and the other young pitchers, learn how best to work to various kinds of hitters."

Recently, when the Red Sox had a day off at home, Matty took the train down to Providence to share his wisdom with the twirlers of that club. Promising youngsters like Hugh Bedient, Hooks Dauss, "Dutch" Leonard, and George Ruth all spent time with Matty, learning the craft from the master.

"In one or two years, these fellows will be here after my job," Matty quipped. "They have all the talent in the world."

Don't bet on Matty yielding his position anytime soon, however. The past two seasons have proved he has plenty of life in his arm, as he won 23 games for the Cubs last season, and recently won his tenth against four defeats. His earned run average remains on the good side of three runs a game, and while he gives up his share of hits, he doesn't beat himself with bases on balls. Only eleven men have reached base on free passes against him this season, and he has struck out over seven times that many.

"I would enjoy looking back at the statistics and seeing I had more victories than bases on balls allowed," Mathewson confessed. "I find that if I throw strikes, even if batters put the ball in play, the men behind me can make the plays. That is a great advantage for any pitcher."

Having Mathewson aboard is just as great an advantage for the Red Sox, as they battle once again for the American League flag.

01-26-2004, 02:50 PM	#158 (permalink)
Big Six Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 2,494 Thanks: 146 Thanked 100x in 79 posts	Acquiring a veteran star Boston Herald, June 18, 1914 MATTY HAPPY IN BOSTON BOSTON--Often, when an established star is traded from one club to another, he voices his displeasure at the fact. Not so with Christy Mathewson, one of the finest pitchers to grace the mound in recent years, who was recently dealt from the Chicago Cubs to the Boston Red Sox for veteran pitcher Fred Burchell and hot pitching prospect "Zip" Zabel. "I'm happy to be with the Red Sox," the 33-year-old Mathewson said with a smile. "The team has been in the pennant race every year for a while now, and it's always energizing to be with a club that knows how to win. I hope I can help us defend the World Championship this season." Matty has fit in well with the Bostons, which have a mixture of veterans and young players. Fellow pitchers Tex Pruiett and Ralph Glaze have both passed their thirtieth birthdays, while Joe Wood, he of Series fame, is still only twenty-four. Wood, in particular, enjoys having Matty on the staff. "From the time I arrived in Boston, I benefited greatly from having more experienced pitchers around. At first, it was Cy Young; then Pruiett and Glaze. Now, having Matty on the club gives me one more veteran to talk about pitching with. I can only come out ahead." For Mathewson's part, he enjoys working with the young Boston pitchers. "I wish I had Joe Wood's fastball," he said with a chuckle. "I try to help him, and the other young pitchers, learn how best to work to various kinds of hitters." Recently, when the Red Sox had a day off at home, Matty took the train down to Providence to share his wisdom with the twirlers of that club. Promising youngsters like Hugh Bedient, Hooks Dauss, "Dutch" Leonard, and George Ruth all spent time with Matty, learning the craft from the master. "In one or two years, these fellows will be here after my job," Matty quipped. "They have all the talent in the world." Don't bet on Matty yielding his position anytime soon, however. The past two seasons have proved he has plenty of life in his arm, as he won 23 games for the Cubs last season, and recently won his tenth against four defeats. His earned run average remains on the good side of three runs a game, and while he gives up his share of hits, he doesn't beat himself with bases on balls. Only eleven men have reached base on free passes against him this season, and he has struck out over seven times that many. "I would enjoy looking back at the statistics and seeing I had more victories than bases on balls allowed," Mathewson confessed. "I find that if I throw strikes, even if batters put the ball in play, the men behind me can make the plays. That is a great advantage for any pitcher." Having Mathewson aboard is just as great an advantage for the Red Sox, as they battle once again for the American League flag.