At the height of his career, the fleet-footed Sunday (who had just stolen 84 bases
in 1890) quit baseball to enter Christian work. From beginnings as a YMCA secretary,
he rose to fame as an fiery evangelist, spearheading the Prohibitionist movement
and attempting to outlaw Sunday baseball. He often would "slide" onto the stage as
if sliding into a base.
(FIC)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»April 17, 1911:
Addie Joss's funeral is held at Toledo with Billy Sunday preaching the sermon. The funeral is the 2nd largest in the city's history. His Cleveland teammates insist on being there, forcing postponement of the season opener.
»August 7, 1966: Lee Bales gets off to a shaky ML start, striking out four times, as the Braves beat the Phillies 3–0. Bales equals the National League record first set by Billy Sunday (May 22, 1883) for most initial-game K's.
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