Sundays with Matty

Bob Palazzo interviews Christy Mathewson with the help of Eddie Frierson

Well - we got our scoop! As promised, through the efforts of his good friend Eddie Frierson, I was able to interview Christy Mathewson. Matty has a lot to say and he says it well. From opponents, to personal triumphs and failures, he shares with us his approach to the game of baseball and philosophy of life.

Eddie Frierson as Matty

The questions and answers have been grouped into six big (or "big six") segments, in homage to his world famous nickname. The sections are: "In Matty's Opinion", "Matty's Take on Others", "Pitching - The Art", "Pitching - Of a Different Variety", " The Early Years and Nicknames", "It's Personal". A different section will appear each Sunday until all have been posted. In addition, there will be a special feature that will be posted after week six. There has been no editing, other than grammar.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to sit back, let your mind travel, and imagine yourself with this baseball giant as he shares his innermost thoughts on baseball with you.

Segment Two: Matty's Take on Others

Palazzo:
If Fred Merkle were here with you today, what would you tell him?

Matty:
Merkle is one of the gamest ball-players that ever lived. I spoke with him many times regarding the incidents of September 23, 1908. Those conversations were and will remain private. But John McGraw stated it as well as anyone could after that October playoff game when we lost the pennant and Merkle asked to be fired from the team.

McGraw told Fred in front of the whole squad, "We ran the wrong side of the track to-day. That's all. Next year is another season, and do you think I'm going to let you go after the gameness you've shown through all this abuse? Why you're the kind of guy I've been lookin' for many years. I could use a carload like you. Forget this season and come around next spring." Merkle lived down that failure to touch second and proved himself to be one of the gamest players that ever stood on a diamond. Many times since did he vindicate himself. He was a great first baseman, and McGraw and he became close friends.

There is such a thing as condemning the act of these men and yet still forgiving the individuals. Condemning the act was only natural. But, while a fellow employee will condemn the act of a defaulting bank teller, but he will hesitate before gloating over the possibility of the culprit's getting a jail sentence. I don't think any of us wanted to see our former comrades sent to the Penitentiary for from two to five years. We would not have been human if we had. Even a Judge must dislike sentencing a man to jail, unless he is a most hardened criminal.

Will I ever fraternize with Jackson again? Probably not, but the soldiers who fight hardest are most willing to shake hands and be friends when the war is over. It is only far from the firing line that the battle to the last man idea has any strong hold. So, I'll leave my mind open... but I won't intentionally cross paths with Joe Jackson ever again.