"Patti farewell"--Query

[Gerald Cohen]

   I found a strange expression in a baseball column of the _ San Francisco
Bulletin_ (April 2, 1913, p.19, col. 5):  "This is not Patti farewell." It
is spoken by a retired umpire ("indicator man") who is insisting that his
retirement is for real.  So the meaning of  "Patti farewell" seems to be "a
false farewell."  ----But why Patti?  And  is anyone familiar this
expression ?

    Here is the context in the 1913 article:

  'Jack Sheridan lent his modest presences to the opening session.  The
veteran indicator man never misses a big occasion, but he is a man of such
few words that only his intimate friends know that he is about.  Jack blew
up from San Jose, which is his home, and will be the rest of his days.
Jack declared unreservedly yesterday that he is through with baseball for
all time.  ³This is not Patti farewell,² he avowed before the game started.
³I won¹t go back East this year, or the next, or the next.  I am through.
I have a nice business at San Jose, which will take all my time, and
besides I am tired of travelling about, and it is time for me to settle
down.... I know I have threatened to quit before, but this time I mean
business....²¹

----Gerald Cohen



gcohen at umr.edu