The morning times., 1896-10-27
GENE WAS TOO LIGHT.

iOt tHC biE bS uiiu
was gwen his congo. Another season saw
hun with Toronto, and during the autumn
days Earl Wagner, who was on q still
hunt through the Eastern League, threw
his optics athwart the meteorIc path way OF
the young shortstOp. He thought sn well
or him that lie drafted him FOR the Wash
ington club for the season OF 1896.
BcAlOntreville's record stands for the
rest. He was the sensational sIiortstop OF
the year, and hit the bail So hard and
often that he stood up with the topnUtch-
ers when Uncle NicE's averages were made
up and promulgated.
Deeply chagrined over letting the prize
slip from their fingers, the PIttSburgers
have cast cUvetous eyes at the young in
fielder, and the first move mace al The
close of the season was to send Manager
Donovan East to try to web him and place
him beneath the shadow of the black flag.
DUnOyau's visit To Washington was no
secret-he made no attempt to conceal his
purpose. Patsey frankly stated that he
wanted DcMuntreville and that he would
l2ve him If none y, and plenty OF ii, could
buy him.
or course Donovan could make no trade,
directly or indirectly, with the object OF
his visit. He merely called On him and
passed the compliments Of the day. He
then continued his journey To Philadelphia
and laid siege to the Wagners.
The first report was that his importunings
were in vain, and that the owners Of the
Washington franchise said nay to his OF
fcrs of men and money in exchange for
the shortstOp.
RUMORS OF a TRADE.
Then came a cessation OF the gossip, and
the fans rested their tongues iii the OpIn-
ion that the Incident was closed, Us they
say In diplomatic circles.
But 1T was not the closing of the chapter.
The finale has get To be written. 1t is com
mon talk, originating from source that
seems authoritative, that DeMontrcville
will 90 To Pittsburg next season
IL is not stated, il the rumor be true,
whether Washington. or rather the Messrs.
Wagner, will receive sum of money or u
bunch OF players, or both, in return Tor
the ia vorite player. The gossip is only To the
extent that ne Will be exchanged, leaving
70 speculation the amount and other con-
sideTations involved.
Coupled with the DeMontrevillc rumor
is another and one that is quite as inter
esting. 1t is that Jim Mc,iuire Will enter
National Park next season not u 5 a Senator,
but as u Giant.
NEW YORK WANTS INQUIRE.
The story goes that President Freedman,
of New York, stands ready 10 pay big
lump of money for the Ola Reliable, and
that Mr.. Wagner is not avcTSe 10 PROPOSE
tion provided the price suits.
Whether ii be true or not that Mr..
Wagner would become party TO deal
for MCGuirc, Il profitable trade in this
direction would not he n bad bargain.
Mcclure has been with Washington long
time and an eXCh hange would Possibly Dc
good thing all around. McGuire Would
not object to Il change of base. and with
Farrell and McAuley the local baCkst yp
department. would have uo need for a third
man.
The New York club is weak behind the
bat, and Mr.. Wagner could easily cash
Mcclure 10 Freedman for enough money To
purCEase Il Crack-a-Iack outiielder, such
as Washington stands in sore necdo
With the sale price OF Mcclure Tom Ne
Crcery could be bought and the hartl-
hitting. run getting outfielder would be
realized.
President Freedman and Manager joyce
make no secret Of their desire 10 add Nc
CURE to their staff next season. The all
but sure return of Rusie ma kes il :mpcra
tive that a first-Cla>> ca tcher besccurcd, and
McGuire is the apple of their eye.
Washington Would be 10th TO part with
jim, but baseball il a merry Eo-round after
all, and if the local team can he strengthened
at weak point by exchanging him or by
selling him outright, inasmuCh as Farrell
and McAuley are in reserve, certainly The
fans should not complain