The times., 1898-03-05

The Doyle problem and the lack of a
lirst-class. seasoned pitcher seem to be
the only things standing in the way of
Mr. Wagner, owner of the Washington
team, and success this season, but
even if Doyle is not seen on first base and
the untried pitchers fail to prove clever,
the team with its present makeup will be
able 10 give any club in the league
strong argument
The question of Doyle signing seems 10
be settled in the mind Of Mr.. Wagner,
who has given him the alternative of
playing in Washington or getting out OF
the game, but other magnates are keep
ing a close eye on Jacks movements and
enthusiasts fans throughout the country
seem to think that he may wear a uni
form in the National League that will
not have Washington in big letters
across its front.
Chicago has a big hole at first base
/ that Doyle could fill, and would like
| very much to hear that he was for sale.
According To Mr.. Wagner, this glad news
will not go forth even if Doyle refuses to
sign with the Senators, and other clubs
that have had an eye on Doyle since ii
was first said that he would not play in
Washington might as we'll look elsewhere
and leave his name out of their forecasts
of the makeup of their teams
II will be rather hard on Mr. Wagner
to lose Doyle after making such close
deal with the Baltimore club, but Doyle
himse is the one that will be most hu't
III. f- Tria hr I1,lr ON
| Jack as an intelligent man, think that he
can see far enough into the future TO
| know what such action on his part would
mean. He is a hard working, conscien-
| tious ball player, seasoned to the game
but practically at the beginning Of his
career, and many good salary years
awaist him on the ball field.
But once out of the game he will find
It bard 10 regain the place he occupies
a present, and unless lie actually wants
to retire permanently he might well
/ send his signed contract on to Mr.. Wag-
| ner and increase his popularity among
! Washington fans rather than delay and
| get the reputation Of a baker and sulker.
| Mr.. Wagner has offered TO him the Limit
in salary. and will, doubtless, do all in
his power TO make his berth "a pleasant
one. 1t is now left for Doyle 10 act and
as he must know by this time that Mr
! Wagner neither intends to sell nor eX-
change him he should send the magnate
a definite answer in the next few days.
Jack has been spending a week or two
at the Colonial Hotel in New York
where he has many friends. He says
that he is in that city on business, and
declares that under no circumstanCas as viii
he be in "A position TO play before June !
or. POSSIBLY, not before June -. When
one of his friends intimated that Jack
would be on deck when the gong sound
ed, the Holyoke boy gravely offered tC
wager a 500 suit of clothes that he would
not play before June ] at the earliest. A>
Jack pulled Out a neat roll Of greenbacks
the doubter ceased to be in betting
mood.
II am satisfied with the terms offered
by the Washington club" said Jack by
way Of explanation. but / am in a pecu.
liar position, and ! never believed II
this business of making players go from
place to place whether the surrounding
were congenial or not, / am In no hurry
to play ball When | went TO Baltimor,
told Hanlon that ii was q mistake e
make man go where he did not want {,
90. but he assured me that all would b,
well. | have nothing to say against tn
Orioles, but | never pat in two such hare
years as ! did during my connection witt
the Baltimore club"
Counting Doyle in the game. the Sena
torial aggregation that will report fo
practice consist of twenty-one men, di
yided as follows:
Catchers-James Mcclure, Charles Far
rell Edward Dixon and Frank Snyder.
Pitchers-Win. Mercer, NJ. Amole. Hill
larry SWAIN Robert Bresnehan. William
Donovan. John Mahoffy, Gus Weyhin;
and w. Dincen.
Iniielders-john Doyle, Henry Reitz
George Wrgley, Thomas Leahy an,
Albert Wagner.
Outfelders-Albert Selbach. Tom Brown
Jacob Gettman and Richard McHale.