Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-27
IS DOYLE FOR SALEf


VIII Uet a SctDack.
The Cincinnati papers of Saturday pub
lished articles to the effect that deal was
on between President Wagner and Presi-
dent Brush which contemplated the trade
of Jack Doyle for Beckley and cash con-
sideration. This story has been supple
mented by statements that Earl Wagner
mas decided to dispose of Doyle to the high
est bidder. and that he is holding him on
the auction block, with Cincinnati, Chicago
and New York as bidders. all eager to land
him. This news has created a very un-
favorable impression in Washington. The
local enthusiasts have just begun to feel
satisfied that Washington has a first-class
bail team and many of them do not believe
tnat Mr. Wagner would do any thing so sui
cldal as to weaken that team by disposing
OF one of the best all-round ball players in
the country for SO much hard cash. One
deal OF that kind-the sale of Farrell and
MeeRln some years ago-gave the Wash
ington management such black eye that
1t took years to satisfy the public that the
Wagner firm was really trying to establish
swimming ball team for Washington
L One more such deal as that and the re-
viv1ng interest in the game here would re-
ceive another setback The reasons given
for the proposed sale-Doyle's unwilling
ness to play here and his present i'll
health, which necessitated his temporary
withdrawal from the diamond, have no
weight with these dyed-in-the-wool ball
cranks. They know that base ball mag
mates have certain means of compelling
an unwilling ball player to come to time
Doyle himself has acknowledged that the
only thlng that brings a recalcitrant player
to terms is a cut in his salary. Little birds
that can sing and won't sing should be
made to sing If Mr.. Wagner should re-
tire Doyle from the game without pay
until such time as he fit to do the
work that he well knows how to do he
would receive the unanimous approval of
the Washington public, and the attend
ance at the ball park would be increased, if
anything, in consequence.
If the news is received here that Doyle
goes any place for SO much money, Mr..
wagner may expect to be criticised very
severely by everyone who is interested in
base ball. Not that the team as now con-
stituted feels the loss of Doyle materially
with Mcguire on first and Farrell behind
the bat, everything is all right. But they
can't work this scheme through the entire
season. There must be either a first base
man or another catcher. A star pitcher,
too, would strengthen the team.
III Mr. Wagner could land first basem IN
anything like the equal of Doyle there
would not be quite much to find fault
with. He can't find his equal but he
might get enc, who willing, would be near
ly as good as Doyle unwilling One Of the
reports is that if Doyle g1es to New York
'Scrappy" Joyce and $1,000 5000 will
come to Washington. Mr.. Wagner would
doubtless welcome the latter, but the
Washington public would give the cold
shoulder to the former. Joyce has served
his term with the Senator's In the mean
time final developments will be looked for
with great deal of interest. What is
done with Doyle will settle the question
With the base ball cranks whether Mr..
Wagner Is out for base ball or Doodle.