Evening star., 1901-03-26
0utfelder Slagle Will Not Play in
Washington Next Season.
BE WILL sign WITH PHILADELPHIA
McGraw Causes a Sensation in
Signing Williams.
SPORTS IN GEN E r A L

A special from Pittsburg says that
Shorty Siagle, left fielder for the Ma
tional League Club of Philadelphia last
year, yesterday afternoon had long con-
ference with Secretary Pulliam of the
Pittsburg club and Manager Patsy Dono-
van of the st. Louis club. Afterward Sla-
gle said:
Il am going to Philadelphia, and will
sign the contract for the coming season
with the Philadelphia National League
club upon my arrival there. l will not
sign under any conditions with the WASH
ington American League club. The people
of Philadelphia have in the past treated
me royalty. The terms offered me by Man
ager Shettsline are entirely satisfactory.
1 regret that we will not have Lajoie with
US next season.
McGraw Signs Williams.
The past twenty-four hours have been
prolific in the base ball world in the way
of signing players. Both the American and
National leagues got several players with
in the folds, but the most sensational news
is the report from Hot Springs to the eff
feet that Manager McGraw Of the Bal
timore club has signed Third Baseman
Jimmy Williams of the Pittsburgs and
Mike Donlin Of the st. Louis. The great
Importance of securing Williams name to
an American League contract lies in the
fact that he is the first star to desert that
team. Heretofore the Pittsburg players
have not been approached, but with the
loss of Wallace, Heidrick and Sheckard
the American League magnates have
doubtless come to the conclusion to 'cut
in to the Pittsburg ranks, and Williams
was the first selection.
Various reasons have been assigned for
not signing Pittsburg players to American
League contracts, but the most reasonable
one is that it was thought best to allow
the Pirates to go on the field next summer
in their full strength, make runaway race
of the championship In the National
League and in this way destroy all inter-
est in the standing of the clubs in the ma
jor organization. Manager Dreyfuss OF
the Pittsburg club has certainly treated
his players well, but there are several men
on his pay roll who should have been paid
more in commensurate with their ability.
Williams Is one OF these. 1t Is good
guess to place his salary at $1,SOO last sea-
son, as he was new recruit from the MI
nor leagues. This season he doubtless was
offered a good increase, say S4OO, but, as
he ranked with Collins OF Boston as one
Of the star third basemen, the limit was
not too much Manager McGraw has so
far signed number Of cheap men, and he
is one of the American League magnates
who can easily afford to pay a big salary
to Williams. For this reason 1t is more
than probable that the Pirates third base
man will receive in the neighborhod Of
$4,000 for the coming season.
other Players Signed.
Mike Donlin of st. Louis is not in the
same class with Williams as player, but
he gave every Indication last season of
being a ''comer." Donlin is a good hitter,
base runner and sensational fielder, and
what McGraw likes best, has aggressive
ness. The latter quality is probably what
led to his being secured for the Baltimore
team. 1t will be recalled, in the face Of
these latest signers to American League
contracts, that McGraw some two months
ago remarked: You have seen my team
and I'll surprise everybody" With the
addition of Williams, who will probably
play shOrtStop, and Donlin, the Baltimore
aggregation is strengthened wonderfully.
The other players signed yesterday were
Bob Wood of the Cincinnatis, who placed
his name to a Cleveland contract: John A.
Gammons, the coach Of Brown University,
who is a strong utility player, signed with
Connie Mack's Philadelphia team; McGann,
with st. Louis; Jackltz, a catcher, with
the Philadelphia National League club, and
Pitcher Husting. with the Boston National
League team. Husting had already signed
with the Milwaukee club of the American
League, and his resigning places him in
the contract Jumpers class.
Two contradictory stories come out Of
Boston. One is to the effect that Manager
Selee paid visit to Dinneen at his home
and persuaded him to jump his American
League contract with Manager Collins The
other report Is to the effect that Manager
Selee's visit failed to land the ex-SenatoriaI
twirler.
A report from New York is to the effect
that Magnate Andrew Freedman has be-
come very wroth over the action of Pitch
ers Carrick and Mercer, and Acknowledges
that they have signed American League
contracts. Manager George Davis is re-
ported to have visited Mercer in East Liv-
erpool, Ohio, yesterday, but came away
without getting the ex-senator to repudi-
ate his contract with Manager Manning.