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Of defeat and Bonesetter Reese
Sinton Hotel
Fourth Street
Cincinnati, Ohio
Mrs. Sarah O'Farrell
84 Westland Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts
September 29, 1914
My dear Sarah,
There is no place in the world lonelier than a Cincinnati hotel after losing a World Series game, with you back at home in Boston. While I understand that in your present condition, traveling is not pleasant, allow me to tell you how much I do miss you and Elizabeth.
I won't make this a long letter; I want to get as much sleep as possible tonight so I can give the very best effort possible tomorrow afternoon. I did, however, want to tell you a few things about the game that might not appear in the newspapers.
The Reds hit Joe Wood hard in the first two innings, and by the time he collected himself, the Reds had scored five runs. Joe only allowed them two hits the rest of the way, but we weren't able to do much with Roy Hitt.
I suppose I should be more excited than I am about hitting a home run in the World Series, especially off a pitcher who has had the hoodoo over me the way Hitt has. The fact that my hit only made the score 5-1 takes much of the thrill away, however. I did hit the ball sharply, on a line into the right field corner, and it cleared the fence before I hardly had time to get out of the batter's box. Roy only struck me out once this time; that change of pace of his gets me every time, and Roy knows it. I told Jimmy Collins after the game that we really ought to see what it would take to get Roy away from the Reds, if for no other reason than the fact that I would no longer have to face him in the World Series. Heaven knows he would help us win quite a few pennants!
The final score, as I'm sure you know by now, was 5-2. Both sides played very well in the field, and no errors were made. And, although Joe was a little wild and walked five men, he did strike out 11 more, so his "stuff" looked to be in fine shape.
Tomorrow, Chuck Rose will pitch for us, and it looks like it will be Jean Dubuc for the Reds.
There is one more thing I can tell you now. Matty slipped away during the third inning of the playoff game in Detroit and took a train to Youngstown, Ohio. There is a man there known as Bonesetter Reese, who has gained some notoriety among base ball men for his talents in helping injured players return to health. He performs some sort of manipulation, and in many cases, the player experiences almost immediate relief.
Matty arrived in Cincinnati this morning in time to join us at the ball park, and he told me that old Bonesetter has done the trick again. His arm is feeling much better, and it would not be surprising if he can pitch in the Series if it goes long enough. Apparently, Bonesetter told Matty not to work too soon, as he could undo the good work that has been accomplished. You probably won't hear a word of this in the papers, and you shouldn't share this with anyone outside the family, either.
I will close now, my dearest. I hope this letter finds you in perfect comfort, and already possessing the knowledge that your husband's club has, at least, evened the Series! Kiss Elizabeth for me.
With all my love, I remain,
Yours,
Pat
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