The evening times., 1897-07-16
EARL WAGhER's DISGUST
He Calls His Players Hard Names
and ''QuitterS."
YET HE KEPT THEM TWO YEARS
The Senatorial Magnate Makes Some
Kefna rk a ble Statements. and
of Judgment Manifest for Long
me-Reconstruction Promised.

Mr.. j. Earl Wagner, the owner of the
Washington Baseball Club, is out in a
card, which, in many respects, is a re.
markable utterance. He calls his men
'hungiiills ind cutters, and unworthy
of generous consideration
The players are not responsible FOR be-
ing on the Washington team. They were
engaged by the magnate on his judgment,
perhaps, aud, if not, on the Judgment OF
some one which he practically indorsed.
1t took the Senatorial rer-manager
4, long while TO realize that his men were
rot up-to-date bail tossers, and The Times
has repea atcdiy pointed out the w weak places.
The old story that new men would be
secured was given TO the cranks, and
generous piIDn, LOOK him at tbs word, ana
gave the teari good support.
Now Mr. Wagner wishes to be excused
because he failed to take the cue OF The
Times, on the ground, as he says, that
the retaliation OF this fact came upon
ne too late 10 better my condition dur
ing the present playing season This
statement sounds very much as though
lie wanted to continue the holdup game
10 the seasons end.
He claims that good players cannot be
obtaineI at any price, and again offers
an excuse that $4,000 was demanded
for the release Of II iall player whose se:-
vices were asked by another club.
The Washington team does not need
$4,000 players to strengthen it. All that
it, requires are men who can play tall,
and the woods aie full OF far superior men
to many OF tfose who diaw pay as Sena-
tors, and who are referred To as alleged
pla yers E"
The alleged pla ayers have heen on the
team more than two seasons, because
Tucker, Wrigley and Reilly, wfo ale play
ing theif fiist season here, can hardly tie
classed IN the category of alleged play
ers"
The intention OF Mr.. Wagner TO recon-
struct his team is very good, but the state
mcnt is clouded with that oft-repcated
wait-uutilneNt-soason expression Wagner
should al once begin the work or recon
stIuction On his Toronto farm there are
better fielders and hittars than Tom Brown
and Abbey OF course, these men. per
haps, might not be $50 200 beauties, but
they are playing faster ban than the Sena-
torial uutfieldeis. If he could take Ar
thm Wagner away from Toronto, he can
Certainly get others. IL would be good
idea, also, to get pitcher or two
Following is in art what must be
ia ken as Mr. Wa yner's admission OF his own
l-oor judgment, sometimes called ''un
certainties of baseball"
II agree that the Washington Club is "A
.li oil fafl &c ~
forcihly impressed with the tact than
myself Away from home they are, with
some exceptions. dunghills and cutters,
aud unworthy OF generous consideration.
TIE realization OF this fact came upoa
me too late to better my condition during
the present PLAYING season. Good playefs
cannot now be obtained at anyprice. ThiIts
thousand dollars was recently demanded
for the release Of a ball player whose
service was desired by another club.
Il confidently believed in the beginning
of the season that I had a club that
would stand ell upin the race. Thisopinion
was verified by the Judgment of others
posted lie these matters, yet the uncer-
tainties of tie game and the work of
alleged ball players have tlissipated my
wishes and expectations, and find that
/ must reconstruct an entire new team,
which l will at once setahout doing.
Il be ply-rJllof my present team amounts
to sum Of money that ought to secure
the best talent in the market, and is not
exceeded by over five clubs
"P;ttshurg, St Louis, Philadelphia aud
Chicago are also disappointments, and,
with Washington, their futile and i'll
investments will be barren Of
satisfactory results