The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-06
CHANGE FOR WORRY
If American Association Drops St.
Paul Minneapolis Is Likely
to Follow. g..
Some Lessons From the Past-Local
Team Should Be.Strong Next
Season.

VIII the twin cities again be showed out
In the cold world by a ruthless baseball
league?
Recent developments recall several
former instances where one or both of
the twins have been dropped from the
circuits Of various leagues, and notably
the last occasion when the American
league let loose first Of St. Paul and then
of Minneapolis.
During the last week the fans of the
sanity city have been working hard to
help President Lennon to secure down
town park. In case more accessible
grounds are not secured say Hickey and
the other moguls Of the American asso-
citation, st. Paul will be wiped off the
baseball map again.
The American association magnates do
not say that after St. Paul is eliminated
from the circuit Minneapolis will be the
next to feel the axe, but those familiar
with baseball history can have little doubt
upon this point. Go back three years and
recall the beginning Of the expansion of
the American league. In 1899 Buffalo was
taken into the circuit. That was the first
step eastward. The next year the ST..
Paul team was moved to Chicago. That
left Minneapolis and Kansas City too far
west for compact circuit, and w 1901
both towns were dropped.
Western League Pushes East
The Western league. like the American
before 1t, Is steadily pushing eastward.
In 1901 the circuit extended from Denver
on the west to the twin cities on the east.
Last season the policy Of expansion was
inaugurated. and Milwaukee, Louisville.
Indianapolis, Toledo. and Columbus were
taken in. Now the American wants to
knife ST. Paul and break into Chicago.
With st. Paul out Minneapolis will not
remain in the circle long. The American
association Is making goo-goo eyes at De-
troit. and the minute the American league
vacates the town as it seems likely to do In
a year two, Minneapolis will be dis
carded, and the Michigan burg taken in.
This city is pretty we'll out Of the logical
territory of league including Ohio and
Indiana in It's circuit. With st. Paul in,
the expense Of railroad jumps is minim-
lied, but with St.. Paul out, the league
will Immediately seek some town more ac-
cessible. So here's hoping that St. Paul
remains in the league.
Good Baseball Next Year
For 1903 at least, however, Minneapolis
seems assured good baseball The con-
clusion Of peace between the league and
the National Association will prevent the
contract jumping which helped to wreck
last, years club. Moreover, Minneapolis
will not be handicapped by a late start, as
she was a year ago. When Wilmot Sc
cured his franchise this spring, nearly
every club in the league had made up q
list Of strong players. and the local mana
ger had to take the leavings. Now Viii
mot has already secured a likely looking
bunch Of men, and more good ones may be
added before the season opens. ~ ~
Speaking Of contract jumpers, the board
of arbitration In minor league circles will!
find It's position no sinecure. Scarcely a
fortnight after the articles Of peace were
signed the first case involving the Amer
lean league came up Manager Mike KEEL
ly Of st. Paul has signed pitcher Stewart
of the New Orleans club in the Southern
league. Manager Powell Of New Orleans
claims to have Stewards signature to a
previous contract, also a voucher for $3.50
paid the twirler. Mr.. Powell wants tc
know whether protection protects, and the
arbitration board will have to decide the
question.
Lefty Davis Not Worried.
men signed for the New York American
league club. provided the league puts q
team In Gotham. but Lefty isn't worry
ing over the proposition.
II signed with the American league with
the understanding that I was to go tt
New York. said Lefty one day, this week
IF the New York deal doesn't go through
! will be assigned to some other club, bu
If the deal doesn't suit me, I still have
the chance to go elsewhere, and I guess
probably I can get place in some league
Tor 800 a month or So"
Incidentally when a fan considers Bar
Johnson's methods Of keeping a league
alive. he is filled with regret that the
American association didn't follow suit
sign a bunch of stars for Minneapolis ant
hold them in cold storage for Wilrnot las
season.
Waddel as a Football Player.
George Edward waddell, the man who
saved at least one American club from
financial troubles last season, according tt
late advices. is still doing the football
act In Butler County.
Some Of these fine days 'Rube' will be
planted for good on the gridiron. Last
week Eddie was on the Butler team, wher
It faced the Franklin nine.
Ringers" galore played on the Frank
Inns, and Butler paper remarked:
TIT seemed as If the National League
the marble slab"
They went right after him and soon haj
the big fellow bleeding from many
wounds. He laid out often, but man.
aged to play until about twenty minute:
before the game ended. Then he wa:
forced to step aside and let a fresh mar
play the game. ...
Eddie Is after revenge. He at once lef
for OIL City and accepted a job to play
on that eleven in its annual game with
I1l6 rIdllhlllS. HuD6 Will ornament
shroud some day, unless he is careful
with the gridiron game.
y His Word Is Good "
Here is sample Of some Of the pres!
dispatches that are flying around thu
country: -- =
New York, N. " will surely hay,
Mathewson worked for me next year.
+; have his word, and that is better than an,
y bond he couldnstgn. John ]. McGraw.
Pittsburg, Pal expect to play will
New York next year. What about st
Louis? BAIL, I have given McGraw m,
word, and that is better than any bond
could sign. &c Mathewson.
Youngstown. athewson belong
to US 4 He has signed and accepted GU
money. have his word and that is bet
ter than any bond he could sign
j. r. McAleer.
Cincinnati, Ohio.-Mathewson will sure
ly aid us in winning the pennant in 1909
We have his word, and that is bette
than any bond he could sign.
Robert l.. Hedges.
QUEEN OF AUSTRIAN HORSEPOWER.
= Mrs. Poldy McPhee.z the queen of Austria
horsewonen. has purchased over 500 900 wort
Il OF horses in this country. Among the cracks al
Wig Wae, 2:1654 Col. Kuser, 2:11T; Brave
n 2:12s; Miss Sidney 2:10; Minnie Birchwoot
2:13A, and Others, John Splan Is her America
agent. : x 8
% THE WICKED GUARD. s
There once was gigantic guard, &,