Curt Welch's Obit

Curtis Benton Welch, the ball player, died at an early hour this morning at his home in (East Liverpool, Ohio) of consumption.

Welch became famous as a member of the St. Louis Browns, which won the championship so many times. He was a brilliant fielder, and some of his catches are in history as the most daring efforts in that line. The man had no fear of personal injury and would plunge headlong for the ball. At the bat he would brave the fastest pitching. He frequently permitted the ball to hit him in order to secure a base.

Curtis Welch, the peerless outfielder, was a native of Liverpool, O. and was born in 1862. In 1883 he secured his first engagement to play centerfield with Toledo. He remained with the club during the season of 1884, and in 1885 was sold to St. Louis.

During 85, 86, 87, 88 and a part of 89 he continued with the Browns, and in that time built up his reputation of king pin outfielder of the world. In 1890 he was with the Athletics of Philadelphia, and at the end of that year went to Baltimore.

Welch was, without a doubt, one of the most "heady" ball players in the profession. He knew every point of the game and never lost an opportunity to take advantage of his knowledge. As a fielder he had no superior, and his batting was always steady and reliable. He covered immense amount of territory and his coolness and good judgement made him a terror to catchers when he was on the bases.

"Curt" was called tricky, but never by the members of the team he played upon. Some of his methods were not in precise accord with the rules of the game, but by them he made runs, and the public, wherever he played, was more than satisfied.

He was a man who would rather miss his dinner than a game, and he took defeat sorely to heart. He was always for his team and never for Welch.

He played with Baltimore in 92. In 93 he went to Louisville, which was his last year in the big league. His last engagement was at Syracuse last year.

-Boston Daily Globe, August 30, 1896