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On the train
Mrs. Sarah O'Farrell
145 Cherry Street
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
October 27, 1920
Dearest Sarah,
I am writing this as our train rolls across eastern Kansas, on our way toward Wichita. We finally have the entire team together, as we met two of the fellows who play for St. Louis teams there yesterday.
The experience of traveling with a team like this is very different. Naturally, in any group of players, there will be cliques of sorts, groups of men who get along better than others. Because most of the All-Americans are still getting to know each other, we have spent most of our time in small groups.
I am more fortunate than many of the others, for I have several teammates, or former teammates, for companions. I have also spent some time talking to Del Mason and our "host," Roy Hitt, both of whom are fine gentlemen. One other fellow, whom I had not met and whom I have enjoyed getting to know, is Charlie Hollocher, from Chicago. The three Southerners on the team, Cobb, Joe Jackson, and Del Pratt, tend to stick together especially closely.
I have to admit that Cobb and I have never been able to get along particularly well. We have been on several All-Star teams together, and we have never exchanged more than a few "hellos." And, as you might remember, when the Red Sox and Tigers were battling for the pennant almost every year, Ty could be absolutely nasty. I still have that scar on my shin where his spikes caught me once. However, Ty does understand that if he chooses to slide into second base with his spikes high, he also knows to perhaps expect a firmer tag than usual, or a head-high relay throw to first that will force him to keep low. That, after all, is base ball.
There have been a few whispers about the fact that a few of the fellows have some misgivings about playing games against Negro players, despite the fact that Hitt made it perfectly clear from the beginning that would be the case. I cannot honestly understand why a man's color should matter on a base ball diamond, or anywhere else, for that matter. I suppose if you have been raised to believe that a man with darker skin than yours is somehow your inferior, it is a difficult concept to abandon.
I suppose I should close now, and wander down to the dining car for a bit of lunch. We should be arriving in Wichita in time to settle into our hotel before dinner, and tomorrow we shall take the field for the first time. Give my love to the children, and save lots for yourself as well.
Always,
Pat
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