The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-03-11

When Jack Doyle returned from the
Coast at the conclusion Of the barn
storming tour of the Oriole and All
America ball teams, an interview with
him was published in The Times in which
Jack was quoted as saying that he
would probably enter business at his
home i'm Holyoke. Mass The wiseacres,
however. contended that Jack was only
"jollying." his little bluff being for
the purpose Of making the Washington
Club come TO time in the matter of sal
airy.
A little later Doyle again adopted
speaking part" the trend of his remarks
being that he did not care to play in the
Washington clubs yard, as the Senatorial
aggregation was not big enough 10
associate with star Of his magnitude.
The seriousness Of the affair now be-
comes apparent through the returning of
an unsigned contract by Doyle, accom-
panied by the announcement that he is
busily engaged with his private affairs;
but if his business interests are in such
shape that he can leave them he will re-
port for duty in June.
Such a statement is rather startling,
TO say the least. as. sh ould Doyle adhere
to his expressed intention, the Washing
ton team would find itself in very try
ing predicament. being without an avail
able man Of known quantity to guard
first base. Tommy Tucker has been sold
again. and there is every reason TO be-
leve that this time # is for keeps"
Billy Barnie. manager Of the Brooklyns.
is not the man 10 buy a player who has
a string to him. as must have been the
case when Tucker was disposed Of on
two former occasions-hrst to President
Ban Johnson. Of the Western League.
and then to Omaha Of which club Tom
my was said to Toe slated for manager.
Mr.. J. Earl Wagner passed through
this city yesterday on his way from St.
Louis TO his home in Philadelphia. and
while here he repeated the statement
that Doyle would play in Washington or
not at all. He also said that Jack would
have TO report for duty at the opening
Of the season. and so far as he was per-
sonally concerned he did not care a rap
what Doyle did. But Mr.. Wagner does
care. Notwithstanding his assertion to the
contrary. and if he only had Jacks sign
ed contract in his inside pocket he would
be as happy as a boy with his first pair
Of red-top boots. And SO would the base
ball public Of Washington. They are tir
ed Of feeding on the husks. and they
know that with the Holyoke boy on first
the team has a 50 per cent better chance
Of finishing in the first division than
without him.
Mr.. Wagner's argument that a club is
much better off without a discontinued
PLAYER Is true. as frst-class clubs have
had their chances of a high position in
the pennant race spoiled by the pres
ence Of sulking players, hut when Doyle
once gets into line there need be no fear
about his entering heart and soul into
the game and giving any club he plays
with the best he has. as no more con-
scientious player ever ran a base.
The opening of the season is too near
at hand TO allow Of experimenting with
new men. and there are too many clubs
who are anxious 10 secure tried and
steady men 10 cover the initial bag for
Mr. Wagner TO hope to secure another
man for the Senators, and ii is sincerely
hoped that the matter will soon be set
tied I'm a satisfactory manner 10 all con-
Cerned.