Volume 15 , Issue 26

1907 Ball Game Is Remembered

We also found a 1929 article at the Austin History Center when we were searching for information concerning the Austin Senators and anything with the mention of my grandpa, Bill McGill. It had the headlines: "1907 Ball Game Is Remembered," Tilt one of Austin's historic sport events.

"Many an Austin sports fan remembers a sizzling day in August 22 years ago when the hometown team burned up the bases in a complete rout of the highly touted San Antonio nine.

"The bases-burning had nothing to do wight he summer temperature, but some gentlemen by the names of McGill, McCall, Gordon, McCully and GArdner were responsible for the conflagration in sports terms.

"The setting for this victory was the old fair grounds in East Austin.

"Hugh M. Haynie, 402 Deep Eddy, who was a spectator to this game, and the subsequent happenings, tells the story.

"Pre-Game Fight

"This was in the heyday of old Austin nine, which won the pennant about three years in succession.

"On Aug. 25, 1907, Austin took the San Antonio for a 44-0 polishing off. It was a bitter defeat for the Alamo rooters, and a great day for the capital city boosters.

"San Antonio replied with an invitation for a double-header at San Pedro park.

"Elated over the victory, the Austin Rooters club in great numbers prepared for the San Antonio junket. The box score of the 44-0 encounter was printed on silk badges, which the Austin backers proudly flaunted from their coat lapels.

"This gesture aroused the belligerent ire of San Antonio, and Mr. Haynie recalls, precipitated a free-for-all before the game.

"Victory wasn't destined for either the Austin team or tis supporters that day, and the badges were unceremoniously snatched front eh Rooters' club me members by the overwhelming numbers of the Alamo city contingent. Mr. Haynie, however, retrieved his, and keeps it as a memento of the occasion.

Umpires Did It

Twenty-two years has not abated Mr. Haynie's loyalty. Yes, San Antonio won't he double-header, but, so Mr. Haynie vows, "On account of the umpires!" The gentlemen, however, who called the strikes and balls in the Austin 44-0 rout, he declares, "were pretty fair!"

That old Austin nine had its immortals, believes Mr. Haynie. McCall was the pitcher, McGill first baseman, McCully shortstop, Gardner second base and Brooks Fordon, now a big league umpire, catcher.

Sports fans in those days were red-blooded and ready for a scrap, Mr. Haynie said. Not all the show was on the diamond. Those in the bleachers took the game seriously and fights were not infrequent.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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