The 1884 Maroons: Up Around The Gold Diggings

Sweeny, the new pitcher of the St. Louis Unions, is only 22 years of age.  He and Nava, the Providence catcher, were both born in California.  They did their first work with the Athletics, of San Francisco.  Sweeny, when not engaged at ball playing, was up around the gold diggings, and he talks of gold, quart and mining like an old veteran.  He and Nava are much attached to each other.  It was Nava that had him brought to Providence, and the little Spaniard would like to follow him here.

-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 29, 1884