The times., 1901-04-07

and each is strenuous in the declaration
that he has been In constant practice for
the past month or so. and will be in spien-
did Addition when called upon 70 don his
unifMm, which. by the way, We're de-
livered yesterday The nome suits will
be OF white. with black trimmings while
on the road the Washington men will
wear grey. with trimmings Of black The
combinations are decidedly neat and are
IN Keeping with the modesty that has
thus far characterized the works and ut
terances Of the men who are responsible
for giving the Capital City an opportunity
to enjoy the national game this season.
Out at the grounds. the work of erect
ing the stands is being pushed as rapidly
as could be expected, and the chances
are that everything will be in readiness
by the time the umpire calls Play BALI
at the initial game.
Win Mercer was compelled to go
through New York City on his way to
Washington. and while in Gotham. very
naturally went around to the headQuar-
ters of the Giants. A half dozen Of the
team were hanging around the rooms
swapping yarns of the great plavs they
had made before tabs were kept on their
work, of the wonderful games they would
put up this year, and the numerous other
evidences of smoking pills usually in
duiged in by ball tOssers prior TO com
mencing their regular work. The glad
hand was extended to Winnie and the
most allur1ng inducements were held out
to him to become a member OF the New
York team. Andy Freedman was lunch
ing at the Manhattan Club at the mo-
ment, sending cablegrams to his friends.
Mr.. Richard Croker and Edward VII,
Rex, regarding the promises made by the
diirerent Giants to play the game of their
lives this year. and cause New York to
occupy q place on the baseball map. The
men all wanted Mercer to STAY over a
train and see Freedman, promising that
there would most certainly be something
doing.
Well. there won't be anything doing
IN my vicinity. the twirler replied, as
he picked up his grip and bat bag. Lit
lie Winnie of for Washington, were
his parting words
Bill Coughlin, who will hold down third
base, is expected to get in from his home.
Scranton. Pa, some time today Cough
lin reports that he has been practicing
IN one OF the gymnaSiumS in his city and
assisting to arbitrate the difficulties be-
tween the coal miners and the million
aire anthracite operators. He claims the
course he has pursued is enough to get
any pail tOSSer in the pink of condition.
COughlin Will undoubtedly prove to be one
of the star third basemen of the Amerf-
can League. Those who are familiar with
his work know him to be an adept at
handling hard ones. a rafting base run
ner, and good strong sticker, usually
coming up TO the requirements when q
hit IS necessary to bring in a run Cough
lin $ style Of play is much like that Of
Hughey Jennings when he, too, played on
the lots in the vicinity of Scranton ten
years ago, and when he was known as the
Pride of AvOca.' long before he bios
somed out as star with Louisville.
Ban Johnson is quoted as saying TO
Chicago reporter:
Il see by the papers that Dineen has
jumped back to the Boston National
.eague club This contract jumping is
getting a bit monotCnous, and one Of
these days they will find it isn't the fun
it's cracked up to be. Bill Dahlen once
jumped a contract and was sued before
Judge BrentanO for the return OF the
money paid him in advance. After hear
ing the evidence the court said that Dah-
en- ought TO have been charged with OBJ
-aining money under false pretences- Sim
liar action may be resOrted to by the
American League. We don't want any
jumpers to play with US. but we
won't be made suckers. An example will
be mad of some one soon-
Outfelder Jimmy Slagle may be lost to
the Washington club, but he appears to
be the only one who is causing Manager
Manning any uneasiness. Slagle signed
an option, which was drawn up by a
prominent attorney. accepted expense
money and is not only morally but legally
pound to play in Washington. 1t is not
likely. however, that fight will be made