The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-01-04
BASE BALL PLANS
FOR THE SEASON
Discussed at a Conference OF the Scran-
ton Owners.
MANAGER GRIFFIN IN FULL SWING
tlons on His Plans--Ncw Outiicldcr
and Pitcher Signed. Two Releases
Bought and Deals on for Other
Players--Scnson Opens II week
Earlier Than Last Year and
Probably in Scranton.

Manager Sandy" Griffin, of the
Scranton base ball club, reached here
from his home in Fayetteville Satur-
day morning and after Il conference
with the club owners in the afternoon
left to spend Sunday in Wilkes Barre,
where he has many friends. His visit
has not resulted in the making public
Of many new facts relative to the 80
makeup of the team. All the new
players who have been signed or their
releases purchased are known, but
there are number of deals on which
cannot be developed as the publicity
might prevent the success of the nego-
tiatOns.
Manager Griffin was looking his al
ways robust self, appeared thoroughly
imbued with base bail spirit and was
satisfied that Scranton would be rep
resented by the strongest team in its
history. He was extremely Chary
about making any further predictions,
but to those who know the relations
between him and the owners there is
offered ample reason for satisfaction
to the faithful local followers of the
game.
Griffin has had absolute carte blanche
in his planning. No restrictions of any
kind have been placed upon him. At
the close of last season the owners
showed their faith in him personally
and in his judgment and experience by
| notifying him that he should prepare
for this season without even sugges
| tons from them. This has been done
/ ana the only part the owners have
| played has been to receive periodical
! letters from Griffin which served to
keep them posted
PLAYERS TO BE RETAINED.
Last years players who will positive
| ly be retained are Gunson, catcher; Gill
Ion, pitcher; Mcguire, third base;
Eagan, left field, and Jack" O'Brien,
who may be played in the outfeld or
| at second.
Catcher Berger will not be held if
O'Neill, the Minooka lad, comes up to
expectations. Tommy johnson was
drafted to pitch for Philadelphia at the
close of last season, but the Quakcrs
have failed to pay for his release. Ii
the money don't materialize, of course
johnson will remain on the Scranton
staff. Big Bill" Massey is not surely
a fixture at first base, but the indica-
tions are that he will be retained. Nc
fault is found with the fielding of last
years shortstop and captain, Charlie
Moss, but if a. better hitter can be haG
he will be signed.
Buffalo has been flirting for Pat
Meaney, SCrantons corkng hitter, anC
would trade almost any two players
for him. Scranton wanted First Base
man and Captain Jim" Fields, bu
Franklin said nay and the negotiations
ended. Buffalo has wanted Meaney
and wanted him badly since July o
last year and some kind of a dicke
may yet be made
The releases of Pitcher Harper anC
Second Baseman Frank Bonner were
purchased from Brooklyn six week.
ago, but terms have not been mad
with the players. Harper is in Cali
fornia and Bonner in Wilkes Barre
where Griffin probably saw him yes
terday and may have something to re
port when he returns to Scranton to
day. Both men are as willing to pla!
here as anywhere else.
WELLNER, A PITCHER.
William Wellner, of Hamilton Ohio
a pitcher who played last year witt
| Galveston and was one of the bes
= pitchers in the Texas league, has beei
signed. He is built, physically, on tn
t Rusie plan and is a right handler. GrlT
fin says he has deals we'll started witt
} two other pitchers, one a southpaW