[Big Six]

344 2nd Street
Troy, New York

Mr. Daniel Werle
330 N. Cross Street
Dover, Ohio

June 27, 1902

Dear Dan,

I am sure you wondered who on earth was writing you a letter from Troy, New York. It appears my baseball travels have taken me back to the eastern states. The Troy club needed a pitcher, and I had not pitched very well in Omaha. I was allowing too many base hits, and the manager at Omaha thought I might benefit from facing somewhat easier competition in Troy. I am not terribly happy with the decision, but I understand things like this can happen to a ball player anytime.

I suppose things could be worse. They certainly are worse for a friend of mine, Tom Swain, who has been my usual catcher since we were in the Giants camp together in March. Swain was sent to Troy from Omaha as well; in fact, he arrived about two weeks ago. He was angry at his fate, and I suppose I cannot blame him. His batting average was exactly .400 with the Omaha club, and he was doing a fine job of catching, too.

Swain didn't hit much when he first arrived in Troy, because he was still sore about being sent here. The last week or so he finally began to play well. He caught me in my first game here yesterday. Unfortunately, he injured a muscle in the back of his leg, and he had to be helped from the field. The doctor says he might not play again for two months.

Swain and I are living in the same boarding house here in Troy, as we did in Indianapolis and Omaha. We get along well, and we spend much of our time discussing the different batsmen in the league and how we might put them out. I will miss having him to pitch to.

Well, old friend, it is time for me to end this letter. Hopefully I won't have cause to pack my trunk and move to another new city before the season ends. When I get back to Ohio, we shall have to do some hunting. That new shotgun you told me about sure sounds like a fine one.

Your pal,
Charlie