Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-02
Is IT A STAMPEDE 2
Many Star Players Signing With
American League.
CATCHER CLARKE A SENATOR
Collins and Griffith Have Also De-
serted Old League.
CLARKE A SENATOR
S FORTS IN GEN E r A L

Sensations in the base ball world, in the
way of signing players, are developing with
startling rapidity, and from this time on
important announcements will probably be
made daily.
Last night the following announcements
were made: Catcher William Clarke, with
the Washington team; James ]. Collins the
Boston third baseman, with the American
League team in that city, and Clarke Grit
fifth, the Chicago pitcher, with Comiskey's
team in the windy city. These players are
all National League stars and their places
will be hard to fill.
Manager Manning has been negotiating
with Catcher Clarke ever since 1t was
given out that the American Association
would not take the field. Clarke Is one
of the best catchers playing ball and Will
greatly strengthen the Senators. He may
act as captain. Clarkes home is in Ba!tl-
more and he desired to play in TINS city
on account of its close proximity thereto.
Late Yesterday afternoon Clarke was
called up on the telephone by Manager
Manning and after a few minutes tax
he agreed to sign with the washington
club. Soon after the telephone TAX anu
bv a Encouragement Clarke had talk
with Judge Harry Goldman, secretary OF
the Baltimore club. When they parted
Judge Goldman had safely tucked away
in his pocket preliminary uocuHlen'9 ,iSio
by Clarke that BIND the latter ~ 'i4e |A'ie
lean League. ~,
Clarke got what is nowadays calied an
uncommon hard jolt in his deal WIN tn IN.
National League and his Baltimore Amer,
can Association franchise out thdl "pu. -.
hardly have caused his latest leap II Is
inferred from what he told Manager Mali
ming after signing the papers tnat ne iar7
been made wise as TO tile ac'io1i" '''>
by other star players VII,
yiIiiam J. Clarke was born in New YORK
citv october Is. 1869. He went TO New
Mexico with his family when boy an iI1
learned to play ball in that terriLor8, o, nls
ffrst professional work was with Pueplo'
col in 1889. He played with ottumWd II,
1Seo with the Frisco team IN 1871 anu
with San Jose in 1892. Manager Ramon
sisred him for Baltimore in 1913 "I ne ~. ne
ala brilliant work especially IN lSb-'.'
while CAPTAIN Robinson was dlSaoled,
During that time Clarke did practlcaiy an
the work behind the bat IN inc Id io "a
1853 he was sold to Boston anu PiaS "a
there in 1879 and 1919. Last year Clarke
was one of the leading batters OF the Ma
tinnaI League and did fine work IN ms po-
sition He :; regarded as one OF inc LEW lew
really good coaches that the saihe iia9
Trndnced For several years ne mas peeh
in business in Baltimore with his Drother'
clarke has been engaged to coach tlt
Prirccton base ball team, and Will probably
leave for that place early next week:
Manager Manning is negotiating win an
other star catcher and may land nm at
any time and it looks as though the noie
In "Jimmy's'' team behind the bat VIII be
more than filled up. In the pitchers poA
tn, local team looks strong, as MS Kansas
CITY twirIers are a known quantity put
one. and possibly two. National League
stars will be added to the corps. second
hase has now become the gully Whlcl
must be filled up. ice Quinn can be signed
and may be used in an emergency put
another National League star Is also want
ed for this position. The others In the out
field places have all been filled, the players
therefor having signed several weeks PACK
ACCOMPANIED by the architects, Sunder-
land &, Sunderland, Manager Manning Went
ont to the local grounds this morning, ana
the details of the ground plan We're gone
over The Baltimore plans Will nave 10 De
adapted to the new grounds, but this can
be done without much additional work Mr.
Sunderland says he expects to have all the
plans completed by next Wednesday or
Thursday so that they can be turned over
to the contractors for bids. These BIDS
should be in by next Saturday, and Monday
a week at the latest, should see the first
stake being driven for the new stands. In
conversation with several contractors II
was learned that all the stands can be put
Jp in twenty days, with good weather. This
VIII leave plenty of time before the open
ing Of the season. and it is expected that
everything Will be in tlptOp shape when
/ time is called for the first game.