The Washington times., 1902-12-30
RUMORS AND COUNTER
RUNORS WORRY THE FANS
No End to the Baseball
Good Things" Tipped off.
CARTER EASY FOR GARDINER
LajOie Battling for His Life-Jefries
and Fitzsimmons in Trouble-Bob
Knocks Out Brother-in-Law.

Ever since the mutual admiration so
ciety, constituting the inner circle Of the
National League. tumbled to the fact
that it was about time to sue for peace
with their younger and more aggressive
rival the Fumor-factory has been wor.-
ing overtime. Really there seems to be
no end to the good things tipped of
One learns Il from "an official source"
and another gets sc right of the bat"
from party whc is well informed. d"
The yarns are magnifed in their i'm
portanCe until they drift back to their
birthplace dressed in new gowns and
with half the baseball world on edge.
The latest bundle Of hot air sent on
Its travels concerns Washington. Some
enterp-isiug gentlemen Of Pittsburg
Rnxious to have the Smokey City repre-
sented IN the American League circuit
started the rumor that things had been
fixed up for Fred Postal to sell out the
Senator's, bag and baggage. But some
how or other the Senators won't be
driven away.
Il was only after the same people
had failed to hand over the Detroit
franchise that they hooked up with the
name OF Washington. This city. like
Orioletown. seems 20 be a mark for en-
terprising dope" writer's on baseball
n it's not the Orioles about TO be sold
it's the Lotus aggregation. Now that
the whole things been denied by all
parties concerned. even the Great
White Gar" Ban Johnson. having voted
# rot" matters can move along in their
usual course until another sure-thing
comes to the surface.
For the present the fans can rest as
sured their favorites will not be pawned
on on another community.
Young. and with an ambition that viii
not die. kid" Carter is forever run
ming up against the buzz-saw. His re-
cent victories over Kid Mccoy. Peter
Maher. and Joe Choynsk made the
Brooklyn lad think that il was the tine
TO astonish the natives and seize the
championship honor OF the Hight heav;-
weights.
Like many other foolish youths he
chose George Gardiner. Of Lowell. Mass,
for easy picking. The two met last night
in Chicago. and after six rounds or
fierce lghtinE the kid" was convinced
that he is a few points shy. Gardner
sailed into Carter from the sound Of the
gong in the opening round. and at the
end had his opponent hanging over the
ropes thoroughly beaten.
Carter made fair showing IN the
early part OF the battle. but the ter
rife blows sent IN by the Lowell boxer
were too much for even 50 sturdy lad
as the Brooklynite. Il was his sixth
defeat at the hands OF Gardiner, who
IS just now in line to meet some -
the heavier men. Al that George needt
is an improved defense which he =
apt to acquire at the hands Of auch
a past master as Tommy Ryan should
the two link fortunes.
Every follower OF the national game
OF baseball, whether fancy ties him 10
the chariot or National or American
Leagues. awaits with anxiety the news
each day from the bedside Of Napoleon
Iajoie in a Cleveland hospital. This
star in the baseball Ornament, i'll OF
pleurisy. is battling for his life. His
condition has grown hourly worse since
Saturday Neglect to call physician
may cost him dear.
Should Il come 10 the worst the ma
tionaI pastime would lose one Of its
brightest stars. for the French-Cana-
dian IS one OF the most wonderful play
ers in the history OF the game. Be
sides that he is a favorite in every
city where he plays. and helps put
many a dollar in the pockets OF the
magnates. His loss would prove hard
blow 10 the Cleveland management.
which has expended thousands OF dol
lars on him as an investment.
Lajoie came into the Iimelight as a
player on the Fall River. Mass, team,
where he attracted the attention Of the
Philadelphia National League ofnciels
and he was promptly signed. While
with the Phillies Lajoie covered every
position on the diamond. and with equal
ability. lie Is ar home wherever placed.
plays the position gracefully. and leaves
no stone unturned to win. At the bat
he has few equals. Perhaps the only
ball PLAYER that may have a shade the
better Of the big fellow is Willie Keeler,
OF the Hanlon aggregation. Keeler, ac-
cordinR 70 the many pitchers who have
faced him. has the keeuest eye for
ball Of any man 10 the sport, and is
the hardest one 20 pitch 20.
The twin-star pugilistic combination,
Jcffrics and Fitzsirlmons. touring the
West for gold. seems TO be having plenty
Of trouble while making their way east
ward. Both Lanky Bob and the cham
pion seem 70 be doing their level best to
queer the affair Jefries 50 the latest
story goes. has become enamored Of one
Of the Demoyne sisters. with a vaudeville /
show. playing in Helena Mont. When
the hstic combination reached a number
Of small mining towns he was missing.
To add TO the troubles that seem to be
multiplying Fitz and his brother-in-Iavy
manager, CLARK Ball fell out. but not be-
fore Bob landed a left hook punch on his
relatives jaw, sending him into dream
land.
The trouble arose over Bali signing an
agreement 20 manage Jack Monroe. the
big miner who made such good showing /
recently against Jeffrics That he did III /
unknown to the heavyweights aroused 4
the Australians ire. and when brother /
= l.. ~naaN.m H.. n