The Baseball Iliad
Starting out as a cub sports reporter in Colorado, Damon Runyon found the dusty sandlots of western semi-pro baseball an inadequate field for his major-league writing talent. Moving to New York City, he landed a prestigious sports beat at Hearst's New York American, where he regaled readers with detailed, behind-the scenes tales of famous sportsmen such as Jack Dempsey and Babe Ruth. Runyon later moved on to short stories and Broadway plays, with his literary focus on the gamblers, swindlers, down-and-outers and larger-than-lifes populating New York's sidewalks, bars, and burrows. The classic "Runyonesque" was a slangy and wordly-wise city dweller, but real fascination in Runyon's writing can also be found in his newspaper sketching of talented and sympathetic men, simply trying to pitch, hit and catch a small white ball.
As a tribute to this master of sports storytelling, The Archive is pleased to present this modest collection of Runyon's newspaper writing--all of it. At present, "9,000" is only a guess, as the project began in January, 2020, and Runyon's career in the big leagues of the American press spanned more than 30 years of near-daily columns and articles--starting in the Hearst flagship paper, the New York American, in 1911.
Johnie M'Graw and Connie Mack
1908
The Woman Boss of Denver
Harper's Weekly/December 26, 1908
1909
The Voice That Breathed O'er Eden
1911
McGraw Looks for New Men
Independent-Record/August 1, 1911
Manager Muggsy McGraw is
Not a Strict Disciplinarian
Edmonton Journal/September 29, 1911
Mathewson Defeats Athletics in Opener
Hutchinson Gazette/October 15, 1911
Giant Fans Hope for Last Laugh
San Francisco Examiner/October 16, 1911
John Baker's Homer Cleared the Fence
Democrat and Chronicle/October 17, 1911
Matty Great in Face of Defeat
Buffalo Courier/October 18, 1911
Everybody Hates Everybody in Philadelphia
Hutchinson Gazette/October 22, 1911
Athletics Take Another
Chronicle-Telegram/October 25, 1911
Otis Crandall, Pitcher, Saves Day for Gotham
San Francisco Examiner/October 26, 1911
Massacre Too Soft a Word to
Convey Idea of the Game
Buffalo Courier/October 27, 1911
Old Rivals Fight to Scoreless Tie
Fort Worth Star-Telegram/November 26, 1911
1912
Giant Squad Looks Good
Independent-Record/February 2, 1912
They All Look Good in Gentle Spring Time
El Paso Herald/February 29, 1912
His Team in Lead, McGraw Halts Game
Shake Hands in Old Gray Alamo
El Paso Herald/March 5, 1912
Says Rube Marquard Does Not Know How
J. Muggsy McGraw Presides in Box
Giants Fall in Hitting Ability
Spitball is Here to Stay
Sioux City Journal/May 12, 1912
Rube Marquard is Hailed as
Best Southpaw of All Time
Road to Baseball Fame
Sioux City Journal/November 12, 1912
Brown Boots Pair Placement Goals;
Annapolis 6, Army 0
St. Louis Star and Times/December 1, 1912
Chance to Have Free Hand with Yanks
El Paso Herald/December 20, 1912
1913
Unique Lot of Squabs
Evening Standard/January 25, 1913
McGraw is Not Worried by Protest
Alias Fingers, Alias Baldy
San Francisco Examiner/October 3, 1913
Winter League Will Bring Forth
"Retirements" and "Hold Outs"
El Paso Herald/October 17, 1913
"Mr. C. Brickley, 15; Bulldog Eleven, 5"
Star Tribune/November 13, 1913
1915
Stage Premature Scene
Washington Herald/October 5, 1915
Mayer May Also be Important in Coming Battles
South Bend News-Times/October 6, 1915
Breaks of Luck Are a Big Factor
Washington Herald/October 9, 1915
Alexander the Hope of Phils
Washington Herald/October 11, 1915
Coffey Beaten by Frank Moran
Washington Herald/October 20, 1915
Johnny Dundee the Winner of Battle
Washington Herald/October 27, 1915
Barrett and Red Team Too Much for Pennsy
Washington Herald/November 26, 1915
Wilson, Neutral, Sees Army Beat Navy; Score 14-0
Washington Herald/November 28, 1915
Yale's Defeat Told in Detail by Runyon
Honolulu Star-Bulletin/December 1, 1915
1916
Welter Class is Again Popular
Salt Lake Tribune/January 4, 1916
Moran Hands Kayo to the "Dublin Giant"
New York American/January 8, 1916
Sees Finish of Boxing Game
Salt Lake Tribune/January 16, 1916
This Kauff is Some Hitter
Salt Lake Tribune/January 24, 1916
Will Federal Players Stick?
Salt Lake Tribune/January 27, 1916
Willard-Moran Bout is Too Short
Salt Lake Tribune/January 28, 1916
Fight Money Talk Wearisome
Salt Lake Tribune/January 30, 1916
Gedeon is Man Yankees Need
Salt Lake Tribune/January 31, 1916
Why Not Referee's Decision?
Salt Lake Tribune/February 12, 1916
The Making of a Fighter
Salt Lake Tribune/February 13, 1916
Bobby Dodds, Genuine Old Vet
Salt Lake Tribune/February 19, 1916
"Handling" a Prelim. Fighter
Salt Lake Tribune/February 20, 1916
Jim May Break In This Year
Salt Lake Tribune/March 3, 1916
Noise is Feature
New York American/June 5, 1916
Runyon Names the Dodgers As Winners
Washington Herald/October 6, 1916
Ready for Series
Washington Herald/October 7, 1916
Dodgers Beaten Despite Rally
Washington Herald/October 8, 1916
Del Gainer Hero as Red Sox Win
Washington Herald/October 10, 1916
Olson's Clout Saves Dodgers
Washington Herald/October 11, 1916
Gardner Spikes Dodgers' Chance
Washington Herald/October 12, 1916
Boston Sox Win '16 Championship
Washington Herald/October 13, 1916
National's Errors Pointed Out;
Blame is Put on Player Limit
San Francisco Examiner/October 27, 1916
Army Team Victorious in Hard-Fought Game
Washington Herald/November 26, 1916
1917
Much Ado About Nothing
New York American/January 1, 1917
Les Darcy's First
New York American/January 4, 1917
A Baseball Retirement
New York American/January 5, 1917
Our Busy Heavies
New York American/January 6, 1917
Improving Baseball
New York American/January 8, 1917
Good Old Mike
New York American/January 9, 1917
The Furious Fulton
New York American/January 11, 1917
Britton a Real Champ
New York American/January 12, 1917
The Gig-Lamp Brigade
New York American/January 13, 1917
McCoy and Darcy
New York American/January 16, 1917
The Fate of Johnny Dundee
New York American/January 17, 1917
Wolgast Very Sick
New York American/February 3, 1917
A Word About Mike Donlin
Salt Lake Tribune/February 4, 1917
The Close of Sport
New York American/February 5, 1917
Saving the Game
New York American/February 6, 1917
Our American Champs
New York American/February 8, 1917
The Squire of Flatbush
New York American/February 9, 1917
A Baseball Paradise
New York American/February 10, 1917
Fulton Strong Favorite
New York American/February 12, 1917
Gedeon
New York American/February 13, 1917
Mr. T. Jones
New York American/February 15, 1917
The Effect of Food
New York American/February 16, 1917
A Stitch in Time
New York American/February 17, 1917
Poker is Preserver of Peace
New York American/April 4, 1917
$50,000 a Year for McGraw
Salt Lake Tribune/April 8, 1917
32,000 Rabid Fans Cheer
White Sox in Beating Giants
Washington Herald/October 7, 1917
White Sox Hit Hard and Win
Washington Herald/October 8, 1917
Benton Beats Sox Smilingly
Washington Herald/October 11, 1917
Kauff is Hero in Giants Win Over Chicago
Washington Herald/October 12, 1917
Giants Leave NY in Happy Mood
Washington Herald/October 13, 1917
White Sox Land Title Series on Zim's Bone Play
Washington Herald/October 16, 1917
1918
Peace Talk Fails to Stir Artillerymen at Front
Washington Herald/October 19, 1918
Huns Pleased at Arrival of Yanks on German Soil
Ottawa Free Trader Journal/December 14, 1918
1919
II: A Tale of Two Fists
Memphis News-Scimitar/April 17, 1919
III: It's Very Quiet in Long Branch
The News-Scimitar/April 19, 1919
V: The Son of the San Luis
The News Scimitar/April 24, 1919
VI: What's in a Name?
The News Scimitar/April 25, 1919
XVI: A Ten-to-One Shot
The News Scimitar/May 20, 1919
1920
Hurler in Danger When Ruth Bats
New York American/September 9, 1920
Homer No. 51 A Terrific Lick
New York American/September 25, 1920
The Father of 'Krazy-Kat'
The Pittsburgh Press/November 26, 1920
1921
Big Ban Boils in Bathroom
While Frazee Flails Him
Buffalo Courier/January 15, 1921
"Great to Be Champion"
Says King of Sluggers
Washington Times/June 13, 1921
Good Living Has Worked Change in Jack Dempsey
Washington Times/June 14, 1921
Dempsey's Early Career Mostly as Punching Bag
Washington Times/June 15, 1921
1922
Washington Herald/November 19, 1922
O'Brien Fought Many Battles
Washington Herald/November 20, 1922
The 9,000 Stories
1908 - 1946
A Damon Runyon Collection
New York American
April 4, 1917
Poker is Preserver of Peace
Impassable Barrier Between Giant and Tiger Trains Bars Further Hostilities—Storm Halts Game
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., April 3.—Jim Thorpe’s adopted townspeople did not get a chance to see him commit right field in a big league uniform this afternoon, as was threatened by the exhibition schedule of the Giants and the Tigers. A sandstorm spilled itself over the local baseball orchard with such violence that the game was called off before it started.
A good crowd had collected in the ball yard, and the gate money was returned, which was a terrible heart wrench to Secretary John B. Foster, of the Giants. It was clear enough over head, and the ball players went out in full regalia prepared to pastime, but it was soon discovered that the instrument of amusement could not be located when it was knocked into the air or along the ground, on account of the profusion of the wind-wafted sand.
Teams Have Separated
Without a baseball ball players are practically helpless, so the game was abandoned, and the athletes returned to their prospective hotels. Up to this time the boys have inhaled their ham and beans at the same hostelries, but now they have been split out.
It was feared that the practice of inviting one another to private rooms for private pugilistics might become a custom if the lads were permitted to remain in close contact. It can still be done, of course, but the separation makes it more difficult.
The Giants are at the Lee Huckins Hotel, and the Tigers are around the corner at the Kinkade. It would involve a walk of at least a hundred yards did a Giant yearn to punch a Tiger in the puss, or vice versa, and it seems unlikely that a ball player would indulge in that much exercise just for a fight. En route each club occupies two separate cars, and between these cars has been placed another car containing the club officials and the Detroit and New York baseball writers.
This car is neutral territory. The athletes cannot get at each other across this Belgium of the baseball, because a poker game in the middle of it forms an impassable barrier. The New York and Detroit baseball writers do not fight each other, as they esteem fighting a low and ungentlemanly practice, and, besides this, the Detroit writers look like very tough guys.
Tyrus Visits the Giants
Tyrus Raymond Cobb, who expected to leave the tourists at Wichita Falls, but who failed to make train connections, appeared in the lobby of the hotel where the Giants are stopping today, and made inquiry for mail. None of the Giants were present at the time, having gone on out to the baseball corral, but it is not likely the Georgia Prune would have encountered trouble even had they all been there.
Most of the Giants studiously avoid conversation with Tyrus, but they are not violently disposed toward him off the field. Anyway, the cause of all the turmoil was finally removed this afternoon, as Cobb went on to join the Cincinnati Reds. Allowing Tyrus to train with a National League ball club when he has the option to work with his own outfit is bound to meet with more or less criticism.
Jim Thorpe, who made a good showing at Wichita Falls yesterday, was brought along with the Giant regulars for the express purpose of satisfying the desire of Oklahoma City to see Jeems in a large league livery. Jim does not originate in Oklahoma City, being indigenous to a place called Prague, Okla., but he spent last winter here, owns an abode here and calls this his home town.
Thorpe a Hard Swinger
When he is not booting footballs for Canton, Ohio, or baseballs for New York and Milwaukee, he punches the bag on convenient corners hereabouts with the natives. Jeems has come along in baseball the past couple of years. He can go fetch ’em out in right field with anybody in the country, and he can take as hard a swing at that old apple, as the lads call it, as the next man, and maybe harder.
He is liable to fan out and he is liable to but up the pastime, but never can it be said of James that he is not trying. If ever a man lived who is entitled to get by in big league ball it is this simple-hearted, laughing Indian He never quits on himself. It will be a real tragedy of the game if it is his fate to again fail to make the big line.
The tourists leave here at midnight for Tulsa.
1938
Saloon Singing A Sadly Lost Art
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph/February 1, 1938
McIntyre's Column Reflected
His Own Character
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph/February 15, 1938
Some Coney Island History
Fort Worth Star-Telegram/August 10, 1942
Vaudeville Quartets of the Bygone
Fort Worth Star-Telegram/August 12, 1942
A Poignant Anniversary in the Philippines
Fort Worth Star-Telegram/August 13, 1942
1923
Dempsey Must Be Accepted in Lesson of Conservation of Earnings As Against “Game Chicken” And His Times
Birmingham News/January 8, 1923
Dempsey and Ruth,
Kings of Two Big Realms, Contrast
Buffalo Courier/February 25, 1923
Firpo Stops Brennan in Twelve-Round Bout Filled With Sensations
Buffalo Courier/March 13, 1923
Firpo Crushes
Charlie Weinert in Second Round
Buffalo Courier/August 14, 1923
Shelby Vision of Fight Fame May Ruin Men Whose Money Backed Dream
Dempsey Tells Runyon He Had Hard Time Getting Right, But He's O.K. Now
Jack Floored, Then Puts Firpo Away
Buffalo Courier/September 15, 1923
Stengel’s Brilliant Play In Ninth Inning Wins Good Game For Giants
The Bulletin (Pomona, CA)/October 11, 1923
1924
Naturals of Modern Sport
Light Up "The Great White Way"
Richmond Times-Dispatch/January 2, 1924
On the Road Again With Jack Dempsey
Richmond Times-Dispatch/January 3, 1924
Matching Them Out of Class Hurting Game
San Francisco Examiner/January 4, 1924
Death for Boxing If Tex is Ousted
Richmond Times-Dispatch/January 5, 1924
Tilden Author Long Before He Started Game
San Francisco Examiner/January 6, 1924
Floyd Johnson to Begin All Over as a Fighter
Quad City Times/January 7, 1924
1925
Dempsey Emerging From the Fog
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/April 2, 1925
Babe and His Money Soon Parted
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/April 3, 1925
Better Boxing in the Four-Round Game
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/April 4, 1925
Brother Fighters of the Queensbury Realm
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/April 6, 1925
Rich Dads and Poor Dads
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/April 7, 1925
Ode to the Other Jack Dempsey
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/April 8, 1925
Damon Runyon, The Horse,
at 500-1 Odds in Derby
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/April 17, 1925
A Gallery of Boxiana's Greatest Battlers
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/April 21, 1925
Mr. McMillen Masters Proper
Care and Feeding of Damon Runyon
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/June 27, 1925
Greb Retains Title By Outboxing Walker
In 15 Rounds Full Of Thrills
Runyan Recalls Dempsey When He
Rode Train Rod To Fill Fighting Dates
Tampa Tribune/December 26, 1925
1926
Racing North and South of the Border
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/January 9, 1926
Dining, Dancing and Drinking in Tia Juana
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/January 11, 1926
A Big Payoff Awaits
Jack Dempsey in Los Angeles
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/January 15, 1926
The Inhuman Harry Greb
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/February 13, 1926
Two L.A. Venues Host
Local Gadiators in The Manly Art
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/February 17, 1926
On Leaving California
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/February 19, 1926
P.T. Harmon
Dreaming Big with New Chicago Stadium
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/February 20, 1926
Johnson and Lester
Prepare for Fight in the Bull Ring
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/February 23, 1926
Promoting the Manly Art of Scrambling Ears
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/February 24, 1926
Levine is Skilled Match
for Welterweight Champ
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/March 10, 1926
Welterweight Class Crowded with Talent
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/March 11, 1926
Old Timers on Brooklyn Club
March 11, 1926
Shrimpful Georgia Town
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/March 16, 1926
1927
New Yorkers Committing Hockey
D. Runyon, a Champ, is One Fast Hound
Harrisburg Evening News/April 1, 1927
Ruby Packs 'Em In
Harrisburg Evening News/April 2, 1927
Back to Philadelphia
Harrisburg Evening News/April 4, 1927
Mr. Woodman Speaks
Harrisburg Evening News/April 5, 1927
On John L. Sullivan
Johnson City Staff-Times/May 11, 1927
Delaney Wins from Paulino on Foul
Johnson City Staff-News/August 12, 1927
T-69 Comes to Life
Intelligencer Journal/October 15, 1927
1928
Rickard Bleating for the Manassa Mauler
Hollywood Searching for "Greek God Type" to Play Damon Runyon
A Slip of the Pen
The Morning Post/April 26, 1928
Back in the Good Old Days
The Morning Post/April 27, 1928
Runyon Ranks Christian K. Cagle of Army with Best Backs Grid Has Produced in Years
Knoxville Journal/October 29, 1928
Princeton to Engage Ohio State in
Chuckball Contest Saturday
Times Record-News/November 2, 1928
National Elections and College Games are
Two Things That Can't Be Framed
Evansville Courier and Press/November 3, 1928
1934
So Long, 1933
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/January 1, 1933
Columbia Pulled its Punches on Coast,
Says Indignant Sports Scribe
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/January 3, 1934
A Trainer's Sound Philosophy
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/January 8, 1934
A Chat with the Champ
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/January 19, 1934
Nothing Doing in Dade County
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/January 20, 1934
Kelly's Derby Pick a Sucker Bet
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/March 12, 1934
States Will Regret Legalized Gambling
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/March 30, 1934
Abolish Boxing's Committee of Poor Judgment
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/October 18, 1934
Boxing Refs Second-Guessed by
Antiquated Boxing Commission
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/November 26, 1934
Pedaling in Madison Square Garden's
Timber Tureen
Wilkes-Barre Evening News/December 6, 1934
1935
Welterweight Title Tilt Tonight
Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader/May 28, 1935
Gone Fishin' with Harry Richman
Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader/May 29, 1935
Boys Club Softball on the East Side
Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader/May 30, 1935
McLarnin vs. Ross, Foster vs. New York
Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader/May 31, 1935
Carnera Primed for Joe Louis Fight
Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader/June 1, 1935
The Fistic Master Instructing Joe Louis
Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader/June 3, 1935
Babe Ruth Not Quite Fading Away
Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader/June 4, 1935
Curley and the Fighting Fireman
Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader/June 5, 1935
European Writers Will Be Here
for Louis-Carnera Go
Turfmen Recognize Belmont
Top Event of American Cards
Omaha, Rosemont Gallop
Today in Belmont Stake
Jim Braddock, 5-to-1 Shot, May Surprise
The New Statesman (Wilkes-Barre, PA)/
Tunney Rated Braddock for Job
Lancaster New Era/June 11, 1935
Tip the British Amateur Fighters
May Upset Yanks
Terry, McCarthy Loom as
Rivals in Nickel Series
West Coast Heels Fail to
Place on All-America Team
Curley Expects $50,000 Gate
for Danno - Wolf Bout
Irish Will Be Out in Force Tomorrow
Pulling for Danno
"The Will to Win" Gives
Helen Moody Greatest Triumph
A Thrill at the Dog Track
Betting on Baer, Louis Go Light, Says Runyon
San Francisco Examiner/September 23, 1935
Some Little Men Harder Punchers
Than Big Boxers
Reading Times/December 19, 1935
Horse Nominating System Would Aid Political Parties
Reading Times/December 20, 1935
1936
Proposes a Football Hall of Fame
Lancaster New Era/December 22, 1936
Story of a Hard-Luck Horse
Lancaster New Era/December 23, 1936