Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-10
Record of the CLUBS,


Finding barriers surrounding the players
of the more prominent minor leagues that
were impossible to surmount Manager Earl
Wagner has gone out into the Wilderness
as it were, and scooped up two unknown
players who have been highly recommend
ed to his distinguished consideration. One
comes from the Texas League and the
other from an obscure club In the central
part of New York. Gottman is the man
haflng from Texas, and he Is an outf1elder
recommended by both Ted Sullivan and the
late Louisville manager, McC1oskey. The
others name is Fox, and the last team he
gave his services to was one representing
Cooperstown, N. Y. He is an inffelder and
was bright enough to act as captain of that
team.
No matter whether Ed. Hanlon or
dozen others had their eyes on these players
or not, or whether they prove good or bad
Mr. Wagner is to be congratulated upon
the fact that he has secured two new faces
for his team. A good player is Just as IL
able to come from Texas as from Boston or
Philadelphia, and it may be that we have
picked up LANCE or Delehanty. Time
alone car tell us that. The signing of new
players emphasizes the fact that Mr.. Wag-
ner wants to please the local enthusiasts,
anu IL possible strengthen MS team, al
though the news which has been awaited
for two moRths comes a little late in the
season.
There is reason in all things, but the
prices placed upon players IN the minor
leagues that Mr.. Wagner has been making
inquiries about have simply been out of
bounds. The local manager has been talk
irg about getting players for some time
past, and the local patrons had about come
to the conclusion that he was "stringing"
them to use a had hI3t DopI1lar aypreSSioo
But leading his patrons astray has been far
from Mr.. Wagnef's intentions. He went
over the Eastern, Atlantic, New England
and Pennsylvania 1eagues and sized up the
men that he thought would prove worthy of
faster company. but wfem he .broached the
subject of purchase such prices were placed
on the players desired that it would have
been the height of foolishness to meet the
demands. Finding himself shut out in the
more prominent leagues, Mr.. Wagner cast
about for diamonds in the rough on whom
the great base ball world had not yet cast
its critical eye, and as a result up from
Texas and over from New York come Gott-
man and Fox.
Ted Sullivan has had a wide experience
in handling young players, and although
no mans opinion Is infallibie, Sullivans
is far above the ordinary. Ted says Colt
man is a good one. and until 1t has been
proved otherwise out at National Park, the
local enthusiasts will have to take Ted's
word for 1t. One thing can be taken as
GOOD criterion 10 go on, the papers or the
Texas League cities, all speak in good
terms of the new man. He is said to be
built on the lines of Johnny O'Brien. is
swift Of foot, a good sticker and willing
to stand UP for his rights, no matter in
what company he may be.
OF Fox, little is known beyond the fact
that Manager Arthur Irwin has recon-
mended him to Mr.. Wagner and that
Tommy Dowd, now in the city with the
Quaker aggregation. speaks well of his
abilities. Fox has been playing shortstop
and captain of the team at Cooperstown
and that he has brains enough to fill these
two positions at least shows that he is
more than passing bright.
The two new men will hardly report for
duty before the beginning of the western
series, next Thursday a week, but when
they do put in an appearance they will
both be assured of a. hearty welcome.
MIR. Wagner intimates that he is not vet
through with securing new players, and 1t
is to be hoped that the additional men will
not be as long reaching Washington as
Fox and Gottman. The local manager will
quickly find out that all Washington en-
thusiasts want is a convincing indication
that he Is endeavoring to cater to their
wishes in securing new players and
Strengthening the club