The Washington times., 1902-08-30
NATIONAL LEAGUE TALK
IS ONCE MORE REVIVED

convinced that Delehanty is not worth
so much money. He maintains his
prestige as the leading hitter of the
league. but at the same time this does
the club no real good. and a much
cheaper man would play just as WELL ii
not better. and hit well enough to keep
the team in fifth or sixth place.
Has Failed as Captain.
Delehanty has been failure as cap
tain OF the club, and nobody realizes
this fact better than Manager Lotus,
and yet his hands are tied, for he can
not relieve the outfielder of his duties
as captain without incurfng his dis
pleasure, and in these days Of contract
jumping the displeasure Of a player IS
something to he nightly feared.
OF course. Delehanty has had some
dopey players to work WITH but he has
made no effort to infuse snap and GIN
ger into their work on the field, ap-
pearing TO care more for his own in
dividual batting record than for the
standing oi tie club in the pennant
race.
So, when the owners OF the Washing
ton club remember the gilt edged sal
ary Delchanty is getting, they may de-
eide that he may go to New York If
he wants 10. End is able to withstand
the fight that will be put up by Colonel
Rogers, from whom he deserted a year
ago. and who naturally would have the
first call on his services, but who might
be prevailed upon to let McGraw hav
the big hitter simply because II would
Bring one more star within the Ma
tional ranks.
Perhaps the other magnates in the
league would merely throw the gaff into
the head VI the Philadelphia club AMI
smile at His claim upon Delehanty
Rogers is none too popular with his as
sociates in the league, and there is no
telling when they will give the doughty
colonel the hbcsh.
LOTUS Wants Menefee.
Manager Tom LOTUS, of the Wash
ington Club. was In Pittsburg Wednes-
day night, and laid In wait to the players
of the Chicago club as they walked
across the Smithfeld Street Bridge
LOTUS asked each man If he had
signed. All answered in the affirmative
except the veteran John Menefee
Don't do anything until you hear
from me-" replied LOTUS.
Menefee is in doubt as to his future
ball playing. He may give up the game.
He has met with success at professional
play. but his business interests are get
ting so large that they demand more of
his time. Manager Selee is not afraid
of losing the old man. He says that
Menefee has promised him that II he
plays ball 1t will be with the Chicago
National League team.
Brooklyn Claims American Men.
The Brooklyn Eagle" says the Brook
lyn club has signed Bobby" Wallace,
shortstop. and Emmett Heidrick, center
fielder. of the st. Louis Browns: Catcher
Sullivan, of the Chicagos, and Harry
Davis, first baseman of the Philadelphia
Athletics. all American League stars.
besides two or three Western League
plays, for next season.
Mathewson for St. Louis.
The story that Christy Mathewson will
not be New York Giant next year is
cropping up all over the country. 4
signed a contract to pitch for the Amer
lean League team of that city. Center
Fielder Hemphll. who. 1t was reported.
was under McGraw's hypnotic infiu-
ence. is also announced as a certain
member OF the same team.
John Anderson, the big first baseman
of the st. Louis Americans, whom the
Boston Nationals tried hard to land. has
also fallen into line with the Mound
Cttyites. Secretary Hedges. who re-
CO ntly returned to ST. Louis with the
team. showed Andersons contract. say
ing the first baseman had signed it while
the team was in Boston.
Americans Holding Their Own.
National League baseball teams have
not all the better of the contract sign
ing business theee days. The American
organization is showing fine opposi-
tion, and the players are swapping at the
biggest bait
It's safe to assume that it's nip and
tuck now between the bodies. the Amer
leans giving as much trouble as they are
receiving. This is evidenced by the con-
tinual refusal of the old leagues clubs
to sign its players for the asking.
That PittsbuTg will he big sufferer
there is no question. Three of its very
best men are surely lost They are:
Tommy Leach, the great little third
baseman: Jesse Tannehill and Algy
Chesbro, the pitcher
They are to be asked today to state