The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-15
BASEBALL GOSSIP.
Joplin Evidently Expects to Get Pen
nant Next Year.

Joplin is evidently planning haro
onslaught for 1905 to capture the
Western association pennant. Every
effort is being made by president
Baker to corral good, strong aggre-
cation for next year.
The following letter from John Fill
man, manager and shortstop of last
years Miners, tell the story very
plainly 1t came in response to re-
quest from the sporting department of
the State Journal for line on Joplin
for 1906. The letter follows;
state Journal, Topeka-Sirs: Mr..
Baker handed me your letter to an
swer. Replying will say that ind1ca-
tons point to most successful sea-
son in 1905. Joplin is on the boom
and it will be better in the spring.
I'VE expect big returns financially,
and as for the team-well, we are for
the rag that's all. L have been
drafted by Little Rock, but do not
think that shall have to go there.
1t is Mr.. Bakers intention to have me
handle the team next season.
The old players who will return
are Bayless, Vanderbilt, Shimonek,
Morris and myself. We intend to dis
pose of the others. Possibly we Will
Horton and Pertsch from Springfield.
Purchased Horton and exchanged
Crum for the Dutchman.
I'VE haven't signed any new men
eraI embryo stars
John FILLMAN."
The acquisition of Horton and
PertsCh will give the Miners two of
the strongest players in the business.
skinny Horton is famous through
out this territory as a twirler. He was
feared by every aggregation he ever
went up against Dutch" Pertsch
played centerfieId for the Midgets last
season and his wonderful catching and
throwing was a delight to the fans.
At the bat he haunted the 800 mark
all through the season. On the coach
line, he was noisier than a quartette
of monographs would be in a cistern.
Norris is an Indian. He pitched
about half the season for Joplin last
year and proved a find" Bayless is
without question one of the premier
felders in the circuit and hits over
800. Vanderbilt takes a similar rank
among the catchers. Shimonek is a
great second baseman, a crack runner
and a good hitter. Terrence may be
retained. He is a pitcher, but more
than that crack all around player.
He started the season with Pittsburg
last year and was traded to the
Miners. In one game he played here
for the Pirates he performed on first
base, behind the bat and in the pitch
er'S box all in one day, and in each
act was a decided hit. 80
From Ffllman's letter it can be seen
that third baseman, a first baseman,
and one fielder is still needed. The Jop-
In IloDe COIneS 10 the rescue at tn1S
point with a story that the management
can get either Dick Rohn, 1.-The chesty,'
from Sedalia, or Earl Green of Fort
Scott, whom Topeka tried SO hard to
get, to fill the important first bag. The
story follows:
That the initial bag of the Miners of
the season of 1905 will be guarded by
one of the best first basemen that have
ever given exhibitions in the old Mis-
souri, Valley league, is now an assured
fact. a few weeks ago President Ba-
ker, of the Joplin association received
an offer from the Sedalia management
to turn over %'Chesty'' Dick Rohn, who
has always been called the premier first