Evening star., 1898-09-07

was reached the writer's had veered around
and were viewing the work of the Toronto
club with great astonishment. This season
funny quips were left out when the Tor
onto club was reviewed. Notwithstanding
the fact that several of last years team
We're taken away. They had learned to
respect irwin in minor league circles and
this respect was not misplaced, as the Can
uckS are again up with the leaders "and
will finish in the /, 2, class.
The report that Mr.. Irwin and friends
have bought a part of the club stock, it is
claimed, can be taken with a few grains
of salt. Mr.. Irwin knows that unless a
controlling interest caH be obtained a small
block of stock wouldt be useless, and as
the Messrs. Wagner hold the price of the
club at 100000 it sean"be easily seen that
it would take quite a tidy sum TO gain con-
troll. The contract believed to have been
made with Mr.. irwin Includes stated sal
ary and a fair perceIftage should the club
turn out to be a winner next season and
make money ""t 15'
From tn, present outlook Mr.. Irwin will
have the best opportunity he has ever had
to land at the head OF the procession in
managerial senss! The Washington pa
irons do not ask for aiehampionshi a. team,
but first division team would be a great
&C mfort and joy, and should such a thing
as a one-two- tfre> club land in Washing
ton permanently thspq As no telling how 1t
would be receivedby the joyful enthusi-
asts. . r. st,.,e,r5 tro,stzzh .f-..s-
The Eastern League Laep = Is Is just at present
rounding out its last days of the season of
'9S. and Mr. Irwin has promised to put in
appearance at National Park by the
18th of this month at the latest, With him
comes young man. by the name of Free
nan, who has been kept cut of fast com
pany entirely too long and whom the
Washington patrons have pleasant recoi-
lections. Buck Freeman Is today the
most consistent and the heaviest hitter in
minor league ranks. He will need no sea-
soning, as he has served his, term in the
big league as pitcher, and should his
fielding be anywhere near good as his
hitting the Washington club can be con-
graduated upon securing his name to a
contract. With Freeman come Catcher
Casey and Pitchers Williams, Baker and
Suthoff. All these twirlers are above the
average in minor league base ball, and
there is a possibility that at least one may
develop ability enough to remain in the
major league. Of Casey little need be said
He is built like Duffy of the Bostons. and
in playing handles himself very like that
great little man. He will be a good man
to help out MCGUIRE. and in case of neces-
sity can play any of the IN or outfield po-
stions well.
Washington base ball will be regretted by
those who knew him personally. Accord
ing to some he knew too much of the ma
tional gams to be a magnate. No matter
whether things were moving along well or
badly he had to be in the game. When
the players became aware of the fact that
their real manager was not on the bsnch
with them discipline was cast to the
winds. A hobby that cost him dearly was
to have the reputation among the base
ball players Of being a good man to play
for. AS a consequence, it Is claimed. they
all wantsd to play with him and also to
play him." The disastrous season of 1898,
with its worries and vexations, really
drove Mr.. Wagner from the game, He
took his mishaps SO much to heart that
1t was telling on his health, and as con-
sequence base ball will see him no more.
Mr.. Irwin com9s to Washington with
everything to gain and nothing to lose, and
it is hoped that Washington may place his
name among the successful managers of
the National League. ,e