The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-10-13

WRITTEN FoR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
Six days have elapsed since the close of
the National League season. and, with the
exception Of the announcement of the sign
ing Of ten players for next years National
League team, there have been few develop
ments Of a positive nature. There seems to
have been a hitch somewhere n the efforts
of the American League to invade st. Louis.
for. while Manager McAleer is rotund with
mystical illusions and fat with promises. he
has as yet to produce any real proof that
the Americans have corralled any first-class
players.
A person whose acquaintance with base
ball matters gives his words weight told the
writer a few nights ago that In all prob
ability the American League would spring
all Of its surprises in a bunch soon after
October Is. which is next Tuesday. As a
reason for this, he says. most of the play
ers. while idle, are under contract until that
time, and announcement of assertions would
give the present bosses q chanc to make
a tempting oner to retain players, which
would mean that the American League
would nave to add q few more ducats to
their efforts. Ban johnson is quoted as
saying that grounds in st. Louis nave al
ready been secured. II Is almost a certain
~ that the location for which the invaders
been dickering are those at Vande-
venter and Laclede venues and It Is said
that ground will be broken before the end
Of the month. However. this is only talk
and costs nothing.
JeEse Burkett and McAleer seem to nave
entered into . conspiracy to keep BurkeSt's
name before the public. McAleer was care
full not to state while here that ne mad
signed Burkett, but went to Chicago the
next day and announced that he had hagged
the big Three"-Burkett, Wallace and
Padden. Burkett, doubtless. was expectan.-
ly awaiting the. news and was ready with
Q good Strong denial, which was a wonder
for nlling space. tut mighty little satisfac-
ton for those who wish to know where he
= "at."
Burkett IL an adept In the art Of p~rolong-
ing suspense and likes nothing better than
to keep his secrets dark until the last mo-
ment, n was 'evfnced by his actions last
spring when he didn't come into the fold
until the last moment.
Say" said Burkett the other night, do
you know I think when / get ready to quit
the business I will go to umpiring and what
I'll do to them fellows that stand up and
chew the rag will be a plenty. 1 think l
would be a good way to settle down."
You speak as II a man who kicked
against q decision should be settled at once
by the umpire" said a friend. Wouldn't
you remember all the times that you have
argued with the gentleman who handles the
Indicator"
We'll. I mean fellows who kick for moth
ing. Honest now, I amt never made a kick
that ! wasn't in earnest about"
With all his chan. Burkett will never be
ALA- -. T. -
ness. and he Is too much Of a veteran to be
taken in as some Of the younger players
are apt to be. His denial Of McAlcer's as
eertion seems to have the ring Of truth
to 1t. and he certainly can't be blamed il.
as he says. he has received no offer from
the local club When President Robson was
having those heart-to-heart talks with fhe
palyers last week a date was set for Bur-
kett to call. Nj. Robson kept the engage
menk, but Burkett didn't. He has waited
in vain for an invitation to call since.
President Robson is credited with a goodly
amount OF wisdom. and. having employed
Burkett Tor ten years past, he probably
knows what he IL doing. With Wallace and
Padden It was different. They told Presi-
Dent Robson there was nothing doing"
and Immediately quit the town. McAleer
didn't follow them East, so he probably
has an understanding with them, and his
announcement OF their signing is believed
" AAA0&y. Dc 6u1IUcg E1el0rlck doesn't Seem
70 % 20 many, according to Mr.. McAleer's
way Of thinking. for he is not even mem
toned In Jimmy's prospectus.
OF The former colony Of players, Donovan
and Bufkett still remain in town. Donovan
u looking after some business and keeping
an eye out for talent. He will not sign
additional players. however. unless he is
satisfied that Burkett, Wallace, ct al, will
not stick with him. Burkett is evidently
waiting for something to turn up" and
e he gets q nance will wave his American
League o6er under Mr.. Robfson's nose and
ask him to produce or sustain the loss
Of q man who has served him long and
faithfully. What a chance for the drama
list!
Patsy Donovan Is an advocate Of all kinds
OF clean sport and wonder why hockey
and kindred sports are not better supported
In st. Louis. In the East ice games are
popular. and In the winter Patsy often jour-
neyB miles to zee q good exhibition.
I'VE have . game in the East tina beats
anything I ever saw for excitement" said
Donovan, TT II roller polo,' n while 1t is
going It Il just about as sparkling as a
good game OF ball. II IL the same as polo
az played on the Ice with the exception that
there are no onside plays. In the East
teams travel around the country. hire the
town hail. n make good money, for the
sport draws big crowds"
Frank Murphy, the New York and Bos-
ton ball player. assigned to Cincinnati by
Nick Young. - still q bone Of contention.
Jimmy CanavAn. the New Haven manage
claims that Boston purchased him from
New Haven In good faith and that Bos-
ton m ~ settle the $40 agreed on for his
releaSe. Caravan recently attached the re-
ceipts Of . game In which Boston played on
ats transforming trip. This throws the
case Into court. int Canavan says he will
night It to the end. The case will be heard
early In November.
The American League baseball msetiag,
scheduled for next month in Chicago. mas
been postponed until December 2 just a
week before the meeting OF the National
League magnateA.
s.Pop'' Arson. the patriarch, Of Chicago.
was In Cincinnati recently. n while there
expressed Q desire to get at the head Of
= western League team in Chicago in order
to drive trade away from Jim Harris park.
Arson sid that in such a case the nearer
he could get to Harris grounds the better.
Arson has about - much love for Hart as
q Jack rabbit has for q hound. ana he de-
livered himself thusly:
..H.rt hasn't much longer to stay in Chi
earn. The public viii chase him out In an
other year or 20. Hart blames the teams
poor showing on LOTUS. but he had moth
ing to do with It. 80 long As Hart Is iden-
tiled with baseball In Chicago. the National
League does not stand a chance there: I'm
not ont Of the game for good; yet. With q
western Iea9ue team there ! would get
back IN the barnes. I umpired games
aroafnd IT, country this summer and made