Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-01

Aqueduct he dropped all his winnings and
couple of thousand in addition. At this point
| Manager McGraw stepped in with an offer
of 5000 for one season with the New Yorks
5000 of which was paid down as advance
money, and it was too big to be resisted.
As Delehanty had taken Pitchers Ortiz
and Townsend with him from the Philadel-
phias he would not sign unless his two
comrades were taken care Of AS a result
Jack Townsend will get s., 500 and Ortiz
5000 from the New Yorks for next sea-
sons work. Townsend was given $1.1OO
and Ortiz $1,000 for signing the contracts.
These amounts represent the difference be-
tween what their salaries would have been
next season under the Washington club and
what they will get from New York.
Immediately after signing the New York
contract Delehanty left New York for
Townsend's home in Delaware, and had lit
tie trouble in getting ToWnsend's name to a
contract, as the big fellow has always
acted as the young mans adviser. Dele
hanty passed through Washington on the
morning of November 10. 1t was thought
at first that he was coming to Washington
to attend the races, but he took train at
noon for the south, and that same evening
dropped off at Lynchburg, Va, and secured
Orth's name to contract. After COM
pleting this coup for the National League
Delehanty kept on to New Orleans, where
he is at present trying to recoup the losses
incurred at the Aqueduct meeting
Probably No Litigation.
What action Manager Lotus will take
remains to be seen. These three players
signed personal contracts for two years
with the Washington club and of course it
would appear that they would have to
play in this city or not at all, but the old
opinion about not wanting discontinued
players still holds good, and the chances
are that no legal action will be taken.
Manager McGraw had secured a big staff
of pitchers before signing Orth and Towns
erd, and the natural query would be what
he intended to do with so many twirlers,
but the answer Is easy, as Manager Hanlon
has already made arrangements to take
the surplus stock. There is no question
that Ed. Delehanty is worth 5000 to the
New York club. as he Is undoubtedly one of
the drawing stars of the base ball profess
sion. The two pitchers are also worth the
money, taking the present wartime stand
ard. and the New York Giants will be in a
fine condition to fight the great opposition
that President Johnson and the American
League expect to put in the big city next
season. As to condemning the action of the
players. that Is another matter. Delehanty
IS getting old and cannot play ball forever,
but Townsend and Orth are in their prime
and, it would seem, know enough to ap-
preciate the value Of their good names.
A Great Gap in the Local Club.
What will interest the Washington peo-
pie most Is what Manager LOTUS will do
for next season. The desertion Of Dele
hanty. Orth and Townsend certainly makes
a tremendous gap in his forces, and as Joe
Stanley has signed with Boston, Manager
LOTUS will have to do the hustling of his
life to present any sort of front at Amer
lean League Park next season. With Bill
Carrick released the pitching staff dwindles
down to Lee and Patten, although Mr.
LOTUS is reported to have signed one or
two youngsters from the Southern League.
At present the team lines up with Clarke
nd Dri hah lind he hot
pitchers; Carey first; De Montreville sec
ond; Coughlin. third; Robinson. short. and
not man for the outfield. Jimmy Ryan
can be signed at small advance and this
popular fielder should be secured. Where
the other two fielders will come from is a
question.
The different clubs of the American
League will have more than enough play-
ers to fill the different positions and the
chances are that Manager LOTUS will be
driven to the point where he will have to
take and be glad of the opportunity those
men whom the other managers do not want
At the present time the most available play
ers for the outfield are Billy Lush of last
years Bostons. whom DeMontreviile rec
ommends highly; "Ducky" Holmes CT last
seasons Detroits; Mcfarland of the Balti-
mores. and possibly George Brown of this
city, who Is under reserve with the New
Yorks. All these men are fast on their
feet and good fielders. but the good batting
OF Big Del and Jimmy Ryan will be
missed, unless the latter is rounded to in
time.
Looks Threatening for Washington.
The apparent inactivity of the Washing
ton management, although very easily ac-
counted for on account OF the big boom in
| salaries, has an ominous look for the g1me
In this city next season. The real estate
syndicate In Pittsburg insists that 1t will
have a club in the American League next
season, and President johnson has gone on
| record as saying that the Detroit club will
not be disturbed. The natural inference.
then. is that the Pittsburg people are dick
ering with Messrs. Postal and Lotus for
the Washington franchise. This would dis
tort the eastern end of the American
League circuit. but these are war times, and
President Johnson works under the rule
that he is taking the right road when he
strengthens his lines so as to make a bold
front to the enemy.
Both leagues meet In New York this
month. and until the magnates have con-
cluded their work there is no telling just
how the base ball map for next season will
look. Washington is splendid base ball
city with any sort Of club and the local
fans are doubtless hoping that Messrs.
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