The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-26
HIT BY THE DRAFT.
How the Western League Stands at
the Years Close.

the Years Close.
Now that the onslaughts Of the Ma
tIonal league draft have ceased West
ern league managers are beginning to
concern themselves as to the shape
their teams will take in 1898. There is
likely to be considerable change in the
makeup. The clubs of high rank have
been stripped of their stand-bys and
the inferior clubs are glad to dispense
with discredited lot, says the Chicago
Record
Indianapolis and ST Paul naturally
suffered most severely from the draft.
just as Minneapolis did last year In
dianapOlis has lost Stewart, Gray and
Mccarthy to Pittsburg; Goar, McFar-
land and Catcher Wood to Cincinnati.
About the only attempt so far made to
compensate for the loss of these PEN
nant-winners has been the securing of
Bob Allen as manager, which certainly
involves his playing an infield position
on the team. Indiana polls is doubtless
counting considerably on pulling back
some of it's drafted men as soon as a
httle early season experimenting has
been done in the big league.
Comiskey's st. Paul team has lost bv
sale Mcbride to Cincinnati, IsbeI to
Chicago and George to ST Louis-all
crack men. Pitcher Phyle has been
drafted by Philadelphia. Besides these
losses from the 1897 aggregation Com
1skey has also failed TO hold Scott and
Sl2Gel, whom he secured from the en-
barrassed Grand Rapids team. Scott
has been subjected to draft by Pitts
burg and Kansas Ctty's prior claim to
Slagel has been allowed. Besides his
Grand Rapids purchase. which also in
Guided Griffith and Twineham, the ST
Paul manager has done little so far TO
strengthen his weakened team
Several changes are in sight in the
ranks of Minneapolis, one season a
pennant-Winner and the next a second
rater. Catcher Boyle, disposed of to
PlttsburS. has been the only man sold
outright. but Eustace and Roat were
traded during the recent league meet
ing for Campau OF Grand Rapids
Schmelz. the old Washing tonian. who
has taken hold Of the team, is hust!ing
after new players and has already Sc
cured several. mostly from the East.
among his hopefuls being Hanna. a
promising man for second base; Rice
for shortstop, Yale for first base. and
q Youngster named Walsh. Reilly will
probably be secured from WASHINGTON
to cover third base, and there is a like
llhood that Perry Werden will be OBJ
tanned from Louisville, since First
Baseman Cary has been bought bv
the Colonies from the Atlantic LEAGUE.
Milwaukees outfit has suffered few
changes. Stafford and Lewee have
been drafted by Louisville. but it is
probable that they will not be required.
Schocll, the old utility man, who has
lately been bundled from Brooklyn to
st. Louis. has been passed on to the
Brewers. and will lie a source OF con-
siderable strength
Kansas City will present a recon
structed team, and needs to in order to
figure prominently in the chase for
pennart honors. Manning Will have
on first hase Rothfuss, who startled the
fittshu"G cranks for a. tirne-last season.
Merritt, also best llrown as a Pitts
burger. is among his catchers. IGgan,
another from the same National
League club. is slated for second base.
70; pitchers Manning will depend
mainly on his old staff. and Cornaugh-
ton will be hOld-over OF short Viox.
who played last season at st. Joe in
the Western association. has been pick
ed co.: ii:i"d. McYiCkcr aad SIagei are