Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-12

Magnate Andrew Freedman of New
York is certainly the luckiest of men.
Other club owners are compelled to go out
and hustle almost continually for good
players, and in addition pay out large sums
of money. Freedman remains at home and
with a contented smile views the procession
of magnates as they pass by and drop
pearls in the way of players at his feet.
Mercer was the first gift. Then came Bow
erman from Pittsburg, Cooley from Phia-
delphia. and Dowd and Harley from the
Cleveland outfit. On top of this Mr.. Brush
waltZed to the front and deposits AL Sell.
bach at Freedman's feet player that cost
the Cincinnati magnate cool $1,000 last
season The transfer of Meekin to BoS-
ton last season was, of course, a fake"
ard he will come back. and should the
different presents continue to come An
drew's way he will doubtless be able to
place fairly good team in the field with
out the expenditure of a penny. Should the
New York club take the field this season in
poor winning shape it would be a good idea
to watch the maneuvers of the other seven
magnates toward strengthening the club
or permitting the Giants to win through
sharp practices.
1t has been given out that New York
must have winner, and there are more
ways than one to bring about this much-de-
sired end. Weak pitching talent can be
placed against the Giants at every oppor-
tunity, but woe betlde the magnates If the
players once get on to the fact that they
are helping the New YorkS out through I'M
derhand methods. the word would be
passed down the line and the other seven
clubs would simply put forth their best eff
forts to bring about the clubs downfall.
Crooked methods in base ball will never be
tolerated for a minute, and the sooner the
National League magnateS arrive at this
understanding the better it will be for the
game.
Washington Benefited in the End.
As to Washington being left out of the
National League for the coming summer,
it is a sort Of bitter dose of medicine that
will ultimately do the city lots of good from
a base ball standpoint. Washington Is a
tirst-class ball town, and next season
frst-class team will be with US. In the
meanwhile. minor league ball will keep
alive the interest and make the enthusiasts
appreciate the finer article when it is dis
played before them next season.
The Philadelphia club is not in the best
OF shape for the seasons approaching work.
Billy Lauder, who played splendid third
base last season. has given notice of his re-
tirement from the game. First BaSeman
Goeckel will also go. The Quakers made
offer of Si.5S for McGann, put were
Outbid by st. Louis With first and third
bases poorly taken care of.the Quaker out
fit will simply be in the also rams the
coming season, as the league circuit will be
20 per cent stronger than it was last sea-
son. Demontreville should be bought at all
hazards. placed on second and Lajoie re-
turned to first base. This would still leave
the third corner vacant. and Philadelphia
may have problem before IL that worried
Washington for the past five years-a com
petent third baseman.
The league has for sale the releases of
the Washington players not disposed of by
Wagner. They are: Pitchers Mcfarland.
Evans. Fifield. Davis Magee: Catchers
kittrdge, Duncan and Powers; Infielders
Padden and Hulen: Outfielders Slagle.
o. Rrien and Stafford 10
asked for Slagie. and 81 $50 each for Evans,
Mcfarland and o Brien.