The Washington times., 1904-02-28
LOCAL BALL CLUB
WORRIES RIOTERS
Senatorial Outfit in a State
Of Turmoil
OWNERSHIP YET UNDECIDED
Cassidy, jacobson, Winters, and Hille-
brands Only New Men Known
to Have Been Engaged.
OWNERSHIP YET UNDECIDED

The baseball situation in Washington
Is one of turmoil. No one knows what.
What-not even Ban Johnson. who a
present is running the club for tn,
American League. Ban is probably m,
only man who even knows the new
men who will play here next season
II Is possible he has signed one or tive
new ones. but II so he is keeping tn,
information to himself.
Ban himself is not at liberty to dc
as he pleases, as he does not wish tc
make trades or sign men who might moi
meet with the approval of the future
owners OF the Senatorial tribe. II there
VIII be any. First John r. Mclean
Tor the franchise. However. Johnson
York loOmed up as almost sure pur-
chasers. Then Earl Wagner butted in
as bidder and made a stu better offer
for the franchises However. Johnson
is willing to take the offer submitted
by the McLean-Wadsworth faction
rather than that of Wagner, it is said
by some persons
Wadsworth and Mclean, their agents
say, are still willing to buy at the
terms named by them provided the
Seventh Street grounds can be secured
at the price asked for them a month
ago.
Here Is Some Trouble.
Just after the negotiations of Nc
Lean and Wadsworth were made pub
lie, a story was circulated to the effect
that Sixth Street would be extended so
as TO cut through the Seventh Street
rark. With this story came the an
nouncement that in view of the in
creased valuation OF the property. the
price of the lease on the plot of ground
had been raised.
The increased price asked for a lease
on the grounds, say the Mclean
Wadsworth people, is unJustified, in
view OF the fact that IL will be at least
five. or possibly ten years. before street
or streets will be cut through the park
as sufficient money has not been ap-
propriated by Congress for that pur-
pose, and probably will not be for long
time, they say. Therefore, to them the
raise comes in the nature OF a surprise
They are still willing to pay the price
asked before the raise. but refuse TO
submit to being bled." as one of them
expressed it So the Seventh Street
grounds apparently is the barrier which
is preventing the sale of the club to
Wadsworth and Mclean.
Then there is Earl Wagner. His bid
is the highest submitted. but he is very
city, and for that reason Johnson, some
say. is leery of selling him the cluD.
When Wagner was formerly magnate Of
the Senators he sold a player as soon as
he made good thus his unpopularity
with the fans 1t IS said Wagner can
get the old grounds at less cost than
Mclean and Wadsworth. Under the
present rules, however, he cannot indis-
criminately sell players, and Johnson
may seriously consider his bid.
Personnel of the Team
What men have signed contracts for
next season is not definitely known. Sci
bach, however. last year appended his
signature TO a contract which will not
expire until the end of this season. His
salary is $4.ooo per year Kip" was
signed under these terms about five
months before the termination OF the
baseball war. thus he is saddled onto
the local club for another term at an
enormous salary. Following is list OF
the players now on the Senatorial ros-
ter: Catchers. Kittredge, Drill, and
Clarke; pitchers, Orth. Townsend. VII
son. A. Hillebrand. Patten, Lee. Dunkle,
and Winters; first basemen. J. Stahl and
II. ETlebrand: second baseman. McCor-
mick: third baseman. Coughlin; short
stops. Cassidy, Osteen. and Moran; out
fielders, Sclbach Hendricks, Ryan, and
jacobson. A deal is pending whereby
Jimmy Barrett. the fast meadow man Of
the Detroit team. may cavort around in
the Senatorial outer pasture this season
Robinson has been sold to the Tigers,
but il is possible johnson VIII return the
money paid for THE Rabbit" with a
little more, or possibly a player to boot. |
-.
ter patch
The New Men.
One of the catchers will be released !
or traded Which one IL is hard 70 tell. /
IL Mclean and WadswOrth own con- /
trolling interest in the club when the 4
curtain rises on the coming season, the (
admiral viii. in all probability. assume 4
the managerial role. Jimmy Manning 4
could have the job II he would sign 4
. contract for one year but the as
tute Kansas City favOrite demands "a 4
three-year contract or none at all. Thus
the chances favor the appointment OF
Bill Clarke. who could be secured at
about $500 less per season. Some OF 4
the twirlers will have 70 go. Wilson and
Patten are both good slabmen. and OrtE I
viii pitch excellent ball with a good
team TO back him up Arthur Hille-
sents TO play with the locals. but IL
In said he and his brother Homer will
not play professional ball here or any
place else. despite the fact that they
signed written agreement 10 play with
Winters. a product OF the Southern
League. Is an unknown quality. Homer
htuebrand was one OF the best players
Ia the California League last year. His
1elding was excellent. and ne batted
II .223 clip. Jake Stahl. the other
candidate for the first bag. played last
year with the Boston Americans He
q regarded as a promising player Nc
cormick Is a fixture at second base as
q Coughhn at ttrd IL is uncertain
Who viii III the position Of shortstop,
but of the men who will try for that
position the chances seem TO favor
young Cassidy. who was last season
With the Harrisburg independent team.
Moran will probably be traded for
good Outfielder.
Outfeld Very Weak.
The outfleld is particularly weak. Sell
bach being the only man I'm whom the
east bit Of reliance can be placed, and he
'annot be classed as a good man. Ryan
las outliYed his usefulness, and Jacob
On has never before been In fast com
ANY. but comes here with a good
'ec0rd