1917 Nashville Black Sox

A Calendar, Including Newspaper Clippings, of the 1917 Nashville Black Sox

1917 Nashville Black Sox

Stories are placed in order of the date they appeared.

May 27, 1917

Greenwood, Nashville, TN
"Manager Stratton and his Champions visited Greenwood Park Sunday and easily defeated B.H.S. in a double header. Both teams were fighting to hold percentage average and put up a good game of ball. McGraw has got a good bunch of youngsters and with a few old heads with them they will make a red hot bunch. Over 200 fans were present and saw a good game of ball. It was a pitchers battle between Venson and Hall. The first game, Venson striking out 16 batsmen and Hall 12. Both worked hard with good control Venson allowed 1 base on balls and Hall 1. Both Stratton and McGraw watching their slabsmen work closely. Black Sox and Maroons play Sunday at Greenwood Park. Ware of the Sox is in old time form and shoots at the Bags like a huntsman at the game.

By W.A. Miller. McGavock, Stratton, Carpenter, Phillips, Jones and Bains of the old man class of the Sox sure can circle the base they are all fast and will steal bases. Take notice of these old men of the Champion Black Sox. Manager Stratton advanced his Champs into first place by taking a double header from B.H.S. Sunday with Whitsett in line with his bunch singing to Ellison and McGraw. Where them Black Sox's lead me, I will follow. That has been sung 3 years.

Branham of the Black Sox is pitching good ball for the A.B.C.s of Indianapolis, Indiana. William Frye, the Sox big first baseman was out of the game last Sunday on account of being on the sick list. He will be in next Sunday's game. He is one of the best first basemen in the league. It's worth as much to see those Black Sox run bases as it is to see the Kentucky Derby.

By W. A. Miller. McGavock, Carpenter, Stratton, Ware and Jones, is 300 hitters. It will be hard to keep the Sox from getting 'em. You know what runs. J. Phillips the Sox's fast short stop will be more steady of late as there has arrived at his home a fine boy that he is somewhat proud of as he is a young Sox. Moorman, the Sox's star young twirler has been unable to join his teammates this spring on account of illness, but will soon be in the game."

June 3, 1917

Greenwood, Nashville, TN
"Base Ball Notes - Manager Stratton says he will either pitch Moorman or Venson against the Nationals when they meet again. - Sam Moorman the southern beauty formerly of the Black Sox pitching staff, has now retired from baseball and is training his younger brother, who lies close around the top of the Sox headline. - Manager Stratton says if his bunch don't get crippled it will be easy sailing for the Black Sox again. Three times pennant winners. W.A. Miller, President. Felton Stratton, Manager, Herbert McGavock, Secretary and Captain.

The Capital City League. - At Greenwood June 3, 1917. - Manager Stratton and his deer-footed Black Sox romped on the Greenwood diamond and defeated the Maroons 8 to 5. Both Stratton and Battle worked hard and were well supported by their teammates. Battle is a youngster that Manager Whitsitt has found and with a good catcher to train him he will be a star twirler in a short time. Manager Stratton has also gotten a young slabman, who has (illegible) and good curves. 225 fans witnessed the game Sunday and cheered both teams as they pulled off their sensational plays.

New And View of Sport - By J.H. Rucks. - The North against the South. Rube Foster's head work, wins for the Giants. Both the Maroons and Black Sox played a fine game Sunday, June the 3rd at Greenwood Park. The Sox winning 8 to 5. It looked at first like a pitchers battle between Stratton and Battle, but after Walter Patton who was playing short for the Maroons, had figured in several sensational plays he fell asleep, while three Soxs raced home, and sinched the game. Battle tightened up after the fourth inning, and allowed no more scoring, while Stratton allowed only two runs after the first inning. A queer play bobbled up in the third inning, when with runner on base, Whitsey lifted a high fly to infield, which was dropped, and after a protest the umpire declared the batter safe at first. But if we read the rules right, the batter was out. This same play was put in action a few days ago at Athletic Park, and after a lengthy consultation between the two umpires, Gabby Street, the batter was called out, and had Kores been doubled at second, the Vols would have lost the game. Mr. Blane Boyd, viewed the game at Greenwood Park from the grandstand, and spoke very highly of both teams, but emphatically denounced the fly ball decision in the third inning.

Mr. H. T. McGavock is the mainstay of the famous Black Sox, when it comes to fielding and has been for the past five years. He is a daring base runner, circling the cushion like Ty Cobb and as a batter he is right there hitting the ball on the snout, just like Tris Speaker. it will be mighty hard for any team to defeat the Black Sox with such base runners as McGavock, Stratton, Ware and Carpenter. This quartette is hitting above the three hundred mark.

J. Phillips, playing short for the sox is a promising ball player, and if Miller would take half the pains in developing him as he did some of his old heads, he would find a wonder in this young fellow."

June 10, 1917

Nashville, TN
"At Greenwood Park, June 10. At Greenwood Park, June 10th, 650 fans witnessed the game between the All-Stars and the Indians last Sunday. The Indians put up a good game and defeated the All-Stars 2 to 1. Both teams played good ball and the fans were uncertain of the victor until the last man was out."

June 11, 1917

Nashville, TN
"Dope. The all-stars of the Capital City League is the strongest team in the South, defeating the Nebraska Indians June 11 7 to 3."

"The Indians were outclassed in both games, as the Stars outplayed them in all the games, but luck beat them in the first game."

"Manager Ellison pays his most due respect to Stratton, Ware and Christman for their great help in playing the Indians. That kid, Stratton, sure is a ball player. With Ware behind the bat crying, "Wait a minute, little boy, now shoot it, shoot it," and he was sure shooting it. Christman played field for the all-stars in great form. Mr. Whittsy, that's a great ball player. You've got to stick to that boy. Myers, playing name, "Black Daddy," lost his hitting eye but he is a fielder by trade, getting everything that comes his way. I love my wife, but, O you Phillips. That Black Sox kid is a whang.

"At Greenwood Park June 11, 1917. At Greenwood Park June 11, 1917 the All-Stars of the City League defeated the Nebraska Indians in a fast and exciting game by a score of 7 to 3. It was a good and fast played game with plenty of life. Venson of the Black Sox started the game but was rather wild; he couldn't get his curves to break right and was relieved by Mang Stratton of the Sox, who kept the wild men from putting them where they wanted to . The All-Stars had plenty of good base runners who made hits count runs and won easily. The fans weren't so thick Monday. They are waiting to see the Maroon-Indian game on Sunday, June the 17th.

June 17, 1917

Nashville, TN
"Base Ball Dope. - The All-Stars and the Indians played the last of the three game series, the All-Stars winning 5 to 2. The All-Stars took the big end of the series winning two and losing one. As Mr. Campbell called the game Sunday, Mr. Ware and Mr. Stratton had a short talk, the Indians were wondering what was going to happen and then in a few minutes you could see them laying it down and slowly walking away. Mr. Ware still crying shoot at him cap. I am your target. Old George Mayberry in the grand stand having his fun-schafter John on second, better known as Texas Kid hollering, let him run. The All-Star backers in the grand stand sitting level brim, captain street in short hollering, I'll take him. I love my sweet heart, but oh you Nationals, you hard-hitting Nationals, you all-round Nationals and soon Manager Ellison has just signed up a New South Paw. He is just in from California. The boy is a bird. Mr. Boyd, the big Negro Ty Cobb, of the Capital City League is developing into an outfielder. The big boy says he is no outfielder, but will make all of them call him Mr. Boyd. Manager Ellison is out trying to hire some one to fool the Sox out to Greenwood Park Sunday. Anyone wishing the job apply at 1410 Grant Street, Samuel Ellison. Mr. Williams says if the boys gives him his brandy he will sit them down in order."

"Mr. W. King of the Champion Sox is playing a great game in rightfield and is hitting the ball hard, He is one of the most feared hitters in the league."

"Mr. Thomas Amous, the Sox's utility man is a cracking all round Ball player and can fill any position on the diamond. He is from the St. Louis Giants and knows all the points of the game."

"H. McGavock, of the Sox has not rounded to born in his fielding, he will strike his stride soon. Come on Hub, you are a star."

"Kid Moorman will pitch Sunday against the Nationals. He is a great pitcher and will be up among the leading pitchers of the league."

"Mr. Webster, better known as Shot, has had a trial with the Louisville White Sox, He failed to make good and is back again with the Nationals. Mr. Ellison put lots of faith in Mr. Merritt, the Star South Paw of the Nationals who has just come in from California. The kid is anxious to play and is sure to make a winner. Captain Hurt is waking up now and is sure to make it hot for the boys. Please don't forget Maury."