The Washington times., 1904-01-09
HANLON IN NO HURRY
TO LET SHEGKARD GO
Inclined to Hold Him as Kew
to a Strong 0uttield.
TO TRY OUT YOUNG PLAYERS
Brooklyn Manager Will Take Time by
FoTelOck and Search TO; Good
Youngsters.

Brooklyn baseball circles appear to be
apitated more over the possible fact
that they viii lose SheCkard next year
than over the blizzard. that swoopod
down on the City of Churches and i'm
peded street car traffic long enough
to permit many n Brooklyn dinner to
become cold before everybody got home
TO eat H.
Blizz7r at the worst arc temporary
sorts Of affairs while the loss OF a
fielder Of the skill of Sheckard is some
thing that any baseball center might
not overcome in long long time.
II is possible that Brooklyn viii not
lose Sheclsard While it has been de-
cided ia Brooklyn to conduct the team
next year from the standpoint ID com
mon sense rather than mat of financial
jdiocy which has been the controlling
thfsrg so Ions in the national sport. it
is not SO certain that Sheckards case
viii not be considered as something
special and the player he retained by
Brooklyn 10 make its outfield good for
the co-ninE season.
Sheckard's salary is now the highest
of any player on the team. Ned
Hanlon believes that he can get better
baseball out OF a team whose members
are paid at something like uniform
rate than to carry three or four stars
and try TO support them with players
who arc satisfied TO get along with
remuneration more conservative
In fact Hanlon is shrewd enough to
take time by the forelock. He is not
tied I'D with two year contracts at
exorbitant figures. and realizes that in
1905 baseball salaries viii approximate te
something like a living basis for both
players and managers.
To Tiy out Your ngsters.
He prefers 10 take young PLAYERS and
try to put team together that will
command attention when some Of the
present teams are likely to be in trouble
by reason Of the fact that the older
players are gradually seeing their best
days
Two years from now are likely 10 wit
ness a general reorganization of at least
one-half the professional mines. A man.
ager who by that time has built up an
organization that can play good ball will
be in better luck than some who find the
strongest factors in their teams becom-
ing weaker as the wear and tear of the
game tells upon them.
There are mines that can well afford to
keep the best all the time. II 1t is pos
sible to get the best. In other words,
their gross receipts are such that they
can go to a considerable outlay from
season to season to attempt TO hold theiI
strength. Other teams cannot afford to
do that. for the very good reason that
the gate receipts in a long term Of years
would fail 70 equal the outgo.
This is proved every year in baseball
and frequently the proof is rather dis
astrous. owing to the fact that the in
vestment of large sums Of money fails
70, 1,e nd Tu N
ticipated
New York VIII Pay.
Naturally. the New York club is one
that would be willing to get the best
whenever II is possible TO do so. Il
was not possible to do so prior
TO the settlement Of all baseball con
ditions by reason OF the competition that
ensued when the American League be
gan its raid upon National League
teams to secure their best men,
Now that the chance does offer tho
New York club has made bids for the
best players obtainable and the prices
offered are such that managers who
are thinking Of the future-esrseciaIly
managers Of Hanlon's ability. for he j,
one of the few who can develop young
players successfully-are willing to take
a chance and try TO better their teams
FOR seasons ahead rather than TO at.
tempt 20 put championship mines In tn,
field al the present
At that HaDlOn's skin IS so great tina
ne is likely 10 produce q winning out
VT with players that another MANAGE
might have much trouble in handling il
the proper way.
The New York club made a bid 70
Sheckard's s services at the same tim,
that tho effort was made TO secure Dab
len. but Hanlon is not ia such a hurr,
20 permit Sheckard to get away. 10
the very good reason that. with a stron,
outfield. he can help his team wonder
fully during the coming year. and. witt
the backing that the pitchers might ge
through superior work IN the outfeId
perhaps would not finish so low in tn
race as some think probable
II the Brooklyn club Is willing to 10
SheciSard leave. there is little reason Z,
doubt that New York viii offer anv
thing within reason 10 obtain him but I
would not be surprising if Sbeclxar,
were seen, as usual. IN left field for th
BrOoklyns next year because TIanlo,
thinks him TOO desirable at present I,
be released
MANN Nnnn OffFaGr