The Washington times., 1903-09-29

u
poor players; fourth, in Mr.. seanlon's
opinion, It now has but three good play
ers. namely. Coughlin. Moran and Sell
bach.
Mr.. Scanlon's Views.
Mr.. SeanIon's letter follows:
To Sporting Editor The Washington Times;
within the past two weeks the sport
Ing editors of the local papers have
devoted considerable space to the dis
cussion of the baseball situation in this
city. That the club here this year has
been great failure no one has attempt
ed 10 deny. There have been published
various charges and countercharges By
the several gentlemen principally In
terested in the Washington Club. The
public is not interested by this news
paper auareling, but so long as the
condition Of things has been discussed
TO the extent that it has, 1 see no good
reason why I should not add little
more to il. There has been variety
Of causes for the poor showing made by
washington's representative in TIE
American League. The team for the sea
son lust over appeared at the beginning
10 be a good one, and It had the ad-
vantage of having for its manager one
who had had long and varied expert
ence both as a player and as manager
of players. This collection OF apparently
good material. when put to the practical
test of playing. turned out badly
"DeIehanty and Demontreviiie, botn
very high-salaried and highly-rieo
PLAYERS. were most dismal failures.
These two men we're considered about
the strongest pair under contract TO
the local club. and their failure TO come
ND to expectations was great disap-
poiptment 70 the local patrons and CLUB
owners. The disability of Demontre-
willie. and his inability TO serve the club
with any degree Of satisfaction. does
not need comment. It was one OF those
things which cannot be foreseen, and
should not be criticised
1.-The case of Delehanty was different
To begin with, he came here under a
cloud. having signed two-year con
tract with the Washington club, which
contract his own attorney drew up. He
saw TT at the end of the first year to
attempt TO make another agreement
with McGraw's New York National
League club for the season Of 1903, al
n salary OF $4,000. instead of the $4,000
for which he had bargained TO Play
here. OF this Sc 600 he managed TO get
a. 600 BY the way Of advance money.
which he refused TO return TO the New
York club. and which the local club had
to return before Delehanty played Z
aame with Washington. In addition z
this expense the local management hat
given Delehanty a good bit Of his yearly
salary on account at the time OF nj.
unfortunate and uniocked-for demise
So that this one player and his defec
ton was an item Of extraordinary an'
almost disastrous outlay His pla,
from the outset was bad, and IL sooE
became apparent that TO get rid OF hin
was the most advisable thing the loca
management could do. Mr. LOTUS orig
Inal idea, as expressed TO me. and as h
was advised by me. wa5 70 trade or sci
Delehanty for the purpose Of furnishini
the club with strength. which he coul'
not supply The story of the player
sudden end need not be dwelt upon fur
Their than to say IL was no ones faul
but his own. The efforts OF certain
newspapers at the time of his death 4
ssst the blame elsewhere we're discredit
able.
The pitchers engaged by Mr. Loftu
At the beginning OF the season were an
other source Of disappointment. Ortiz
who was supposed to be high class. di'
but little good work. Modern baseball
IN the major league requires that pitch
ers Of great ability be much in evidence
IN the work of any club that Is TO stani
anywhere near the top The Wash
lzgton Club. during the past year. ha