The Baseball Chronicle
May 1881
Edition 10.3
Pabor's Fate Shakes League
Chicago Ball Player Injury Could Have Been Worse
Charlie Pabor is one of the most beloved ballplayers in the Chicago club. Charlie was the club managers through some challenging years but was an integral part to building a winning culture. At 34 years old, no longer a manager, Pabor has lead by example playing with smarts and experience.
However on May 24th the league and this man's fate were put on the line.
Batting against Providence pitcher The Only Nolan. Pabor dug in with a couple of men on base. The pitch came in high and tight and before the batter could react, he was hit on the side of the head and went down with a thud. Players and security ran onto the field as the player lost consciousness and word for a doctor in the stands was the immediate cry. The game had seen nothing like this before.
With pitchers now throwing overhand and throwing harder then ever, batters only have split seconds to react to a pitch. Hitters are having to adjust to a different type of game, and older lads like Pabor may not be used this kind of hardball.
Pabor was taken to a nearby hospital in Chicago and at first many feared the worst. After hours of contemplation by Doctors, Pabor finally opened his eyes and seemed to gain his wits again. With his teammates by his side, the Brooklyn kid began to improve and communicate. His recovery however should be a long one.
One has to wonder why the Chicago club has been such a victim of bad fortune over the years. First the great fire that displaced them in 1871, then the freak accident that befell Cap Anson in the offseason a couple of years ago, and now the injury like no other on the field.
"I think our trials just make us stronger" says team leader Paul Hines. "We are all pulling for Pabor to return to the field and kick this thing."
Others around the league are raising concerns that the game may be nearing a dangerous level. Some are calling for new rules and pitch restrictions, while others are just calling this a one off accident.
Regardless of all the side noise, Chicago and the league can be very grateful that this great baseball man will see another tomorrow for him and his family.
Sore Arm Could Mean End For Star
Britt Way Out Of Sorts At Only 25
The 1874 Outstanding pitcher in the game Jim Britt was pulled for yet another game by his manager Harry Wright in Boston after his arm discomfort continued and now appears to be chronic. Britt threw only 60 innings last season and this year after only four starts, has an ERA of 5.97.
In his heyday was among the best stories in the league getting his first start at only 16 years old. In the near future Britt just kept on getting better winning 98 games in five years including a 22-8 record and a 1.96 ERA in his award winning year. Britt was also a major part of the 1875 championship team in Boston and it really appeared that the Brooklyn native was on his way to setting new marks in the game.
Two years ago however Britt just couldnt keep his stamina and his pitches were just not as crisp. Many assured him that the discomfort would go away but nothing seemed to work including work in the offseason. Britt never gave up but it is clear that this season the arm just doesn not seem to have anything at all left.
Maybe he started too young, and maybe he can be a lesson for others. It is truly a sad thing to see a great talent fall off at such an age when he should be at his very best.
