The Washington times., 1902-07-21
The Scranton Payer Much
Stronger in the Field
and at the Bat.
L0FTUS Is WELL SATISFIED
Philadelphia Nationals After One of the
Washington Pitchers, But Have Little
Chance of Getting Him Before End of
American League Season.

The desertion of Harry Wolverton, the
local third baseman, on Saturday did not
occasion the small sized sensation that
the player no doubt imagined it would.
There were none OF the owners of the
Washington team but who were mighty
well pleased with the jump to the Phil
adelphia National League team. The
reason for this joyful feeling over what
ordinarily would have been source of
. not a lite disappointment was that
Wolverton was one OF the highest sal
aried men on the team-his pay was
$3.50 per year-and he had contract
for TWO years by the terms of which he
was 10 receive his money even if he was
i'll most of the time aud unfit to partici
: pate. in the games.
During the past few weeks while he
has been regaining his health. and incl
dentally planning to desert Manager
Lotus. Wolverton has been drawing
his salary from the Washington club.
His Work Disappointing.
His work with the locals had been a
severe disappointment to the men at
the head OF the Senators, for while VOL
vertor was one of the very best third
base guardians in the country last year.
he has been putting up a very Indifferent
sort of game this season. and has been
an absolute failure at the bat.
Since going back to his old position at
third. Coughlin has beou playing all
round Wolverton. and has been hitting
the ball harder than the deserter ever
did.
Out of 255 chances TO make perfect
riays. Wolverton made 2S errors, per-
eentage OF $50. while Coughlin made
only "a errors on 400 chances, an aver
age in the field of $40. Wolverton was
the poorest hitter on the club, with the
exception of the pitchers. his batting
average being but .252.
So, after all, the Washington man
agement has got rid OF what had prov
ed TO be a huge white elephant, in the
desertion of Wolverton. and the only
hope expressed by Manager Lotus is
that he will give better service TO the
Phillies, and do more to earn his fancy
salary than he did in Washington.
NUl III GUUU
Manager Lotus is naturally little
sore about the underhand methods VOL
verton adopted to sever his connection
with the Senators, for he could easily
have secured his release any time that
he had intimated he was dissatisfied
here. or admitted that he was not play
ing good ball, ana was not earning his
salary, d fact that was certainly as ap-
parent TO the player as to his employ |
ers and the supporters OF the game,
Manager Lotus is undetermined !
whether he will go after Wolverton. The /
contract with the renegade third base !
man Is about as stiff legal document I
as an attorney well versed In the base /
bali business was able to draw up, and
Manager Lotus is OF the opinion that /
he can prevent Wolverton playing with /
the PhIadelphias ii he wants to resort /
TO the courts.
But If he decides to do this. It would /
only be for the purpose OF showing
contemplating contract jumpers that
their agreements must be lived up TO.
The Philadelphia management has
been making efforts to win back Towns
end, the pitcher who came TO Washing
ten along with Wolyerton, Delehanty,
and orth.
= Last season Townsend was one OF the
hest pitchers in the National League
Lut he has yet failed TO demonstrate
Ike standing in the American League,
perhaps for the reason that there are
more good twirlers in the American, or
because he has not been given the same
sort OF support that he received in Phil
adelphia.
anyway. Townsend is not pitching up
to bis last years record and il he should
decide to leave Washington at the end
OF the season. the chances are that the
local management would not over exert
themselves to have him alter his de-
cfsion.
The agents Of the Phi.iies have found
Townsend very much set against jump
ing his contract. and the only promise I
he has given is that perhaps after the /
end OF tho American League season he (
may consider their offers.
Keister VIII he in the game In all I
probability this afternoon, AID win be I
played in right field, which will send 7
Lee in 10 take his regular turn at Il
pitching. Lee has been playing really /
excellent g -fne In the field and his hit
ting has been both good and timely
There are plenty OF pitchers on the
local staf. il would seem, without Lee
II Manager Lotus could only see his way
clear to keeping him in the field some-
where. Al present the local pitchers
OF the Washington team 0ply have a
chance 10 90 in the bcx every fifth
game which IS not nearly often enough ,
TO suit any Of them. Either Patten. u
0rth. Ice. Carrick or Townsend would
do much better work Il he took his {
turn in the. box every third day.
Trdau win no 1adiag' H.v "a thu A,ua-i-
can Park. The vast number OF women
folk who were disappointed last Friday
when the heavy rain prevented the game
with Detroit viii doubtless be on hand
70 see Tho fast 81 Louis men pat up
ene Of their chsfaetafistlcaily clever I
games against tbs Washing stoHs.