Remembering Herndon’s History: A Poem for Herndon Baseball

By Barbara Glakas

Found in an old undated local newspaper is a poem to the Herndon baseball team, written by Marjorie Bell Reed (1891-1932). Marjorie was the daughter of a prominent Herndon citizen, Thomas E. Reed. Mr. Reed was the Town undertaker and his family lived in what is known as the Yellow House that is currently located at the corner of Oak and Pearl Streets, but formerly sat on Elden Street where the Adams-Green Funeral Home is now located.

Marjorie attended the Herndon Seminary School on Center Street, run by Mrs. Mary Castleman and her daughters. As an adult, Marjorie was an active citizen in Town: she was an officer in Herndon Citizens Association, an officer of Herndon’s Order of the Eastern Star, and a leader of the Herndon Girl Scouts.

Marjorie Reed can be seen in this 1906 Herndon Seminary photo, fourth row, second from right. J. Berkeley Green Collection of the Herndon Historical Society.

Historic records show that the Town of Herndon had baseball teams dating as far back as far as the early 1900s. These club teams often played against teams from other local areas (e.g., Vienna, Falls Church and Alexandria) and were sometimes sponsored by local businesses, such as Fairlou’s baseball team of Herndon, Fairlou being a type of grain and feed supplied by a local dairy products supplier.

The Herndon baseball teams were very active up into at least the 1930s and possibly beyond. For a while the team was managed by Arthur Buell (1871-1954), another prominent Herndon citizen and businessman who owned the A.H. Buell Real Estate agency, formerly located on Lynn Street in downtown Herndon.

A Herndon baseball team, c. 1900. The Herndon Historical Society.

Marjorie Reed’s spirit and enthusiasm for her hometown baseball team was evident in her poem, which we are re-printing in full below.

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To the Herndon Base Ball Team
By Marjorie B. Reed
Of all the well known baseball teams
I’ll bet there isn’t one,
That calls forth such a yell of pride,
As that of old Herndon.

Beginning with the catcher,
I’ll tell you just “who’s who.”
Then if you’ve any fault to find,
Just find a better crew!

On catcher is the very best,
For miles around,
His name is Randolph Ambler,
At his post he’s always found.

Our pitcher? Oh, that’s Howser!
Why haven’t you heard of him?
The way in which he throws those curves,
Would make your eyesight dim.

On first we have Frank Hammond,
He’s such a jolly lot!
When e’er a ball comes down his way,
He’s right there on the spot.

At second we see Chapin,
He’s our champion player,
And everybody’s idol,
From small boy up to mayor.

Is that Ball, yonder, covering third?
Yes, indeed! the same,
If you just watch the game you’ll see,
That he lives up to name.

We mustn’t forget our shortstop,
He’s very important too,
For, just think, without Mahoney,
What would this great team do?

Then, there’s our “swell” right fielder,
In all that class of men,
There isn’t one, I’ll wager,
That can equal our “Judge” Wrenn.

Next comes the centre fie’der,
Who is the whole team’s pet,
‘Tis “Bosie” Reed or “Doctor” –
He’ll help win the pennant yet.

Last, but not least, is McGlincy,
Who, though not strong at bat,
Is a brilliant young left fielder,
You can lay your coin on that.

But two important factors,
I find that I’ve left out,
For where’s the team that’s honored not,
by the fair rooters’ shout.

They cheer the ones that are weary,
They are always full of fire,
They wave their banners proudly,
And seem to enjoy the strife.

The other “important factor”
Is our umpire Mr. Ryon;
If you just stay in the town a day,
You’ll find he’s quite a “lion.”

Oh! Yes, and there’s another –
Will I ever get them all?
We ask for the manager and Mr. Buell,
Awesome to the call.

And now I’ve done reciting,
The virtues of this band,
Remember, that it soon will be,
The champion team of the land!

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About this column: “Remembering Herndon’s History” is a regular Herndon Patch feature offering stories and anecdotes about Herndon’s past. The articles are written by members of the Herndon Historical Society. Barbara Glakas is a member. A complete list of “Remembering Herndon’s History” columns is available on the Historical Society website at www.herndonhistoricalsociety.org.

The Herndon Historical Society operates a small museum that focuses on local history. It is housed in the Herndon Depot in downtown Herndon on Lynn Street and is open every Sunday from noon until 3:00. Visit the Society’s website at www.herndonhistoricalsociety.org, and the Historical Society’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hernd... for more information.

Note: The Historical Society is seeking volunteers to help keep the museum open each Sunday. If you have an interest in local history and would like to help, contact HerndonHistoricalSociety@gmail.com.