Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-09
MAJOR LEAGUE GOSSIP
BY TIM MURNANE.

The glorious Fourth of July has passed
and those minor leagues who had fine
weather on that occasion are pretty sure to
finish out the season, for the thought Of
Labor Day has carried many small league
along when things were not breaking very
well up to July 4.
The major leagues have passed the stage
of uncertainty and the players are as sure
of receiving every dollar contracted for as
If they were working for a national bank.
This is of the strongest points IN favor
of organized ball, the players are sure Of
their money If the people they work for re-
main in the business and The chances for
the sixteen clubs now in the make up of
the major leagues remaining Is a 90 to
shot. There is not a franchise In either
league that could be purchased today for
$50 900 and many of the clubs in the coun-
try could not be purchased for five times
that figure.
Where a player Is not paid promptly he
demands his rights and receives the back
ing of the two boards that control the
game from Maine to California, and have
their hands full at times In Strengthening
out trouble between managers and players
The happiest man In the base ball bust
ness is the clever player who takes no re-
sponsibility. but plays his game and let's
the captain-manager and proprietor do the
worrying.
The Washington club was here this week
and 1 could see that Jake Stahl was worry
ing to death Stahl Is a grand fellow, SEN
sative and considerate of others. AS a
simple ball player he was pounding the ball
all over the lot and without a care; then he
was handed the management of the club,
ard started off like most clubs do made
up Of youngsters. When the cards COM
menced to break badly Jake commenced to
worry, as If he could help It.
think Jimmie Collins has lost much OF
his worth as a player this season. worrying
over the poor luck of the champions. While
very quiet and no kicker Collins feels keenly
the position the champions are forced into
by at least three clubs that look fully good
enough to hold the pace Cleveland is find
Ing the road rather slippery and they have
not proven their staying powers. Chicago
and the Athletics look like better finishers.
and will worry less than Larry's bunch, and
the worry is what usually puts the boys out
of fight
Don't worry, boys was the late Mike
Kelleys constant advice, and Kelley prac-
ticed what he preached. He was ever happy
and never talked of lost games, and yet no
man ever worked with more determination
or with a quicker brain than the same KEEL
ley. One day there was a large crowd at
game in this city and Kelley was playing
right field with a troublesome sun shining
in his eyes. He muffed fly close to the
bleache IS and one OF the fans yelled out,
"Kelley, you're rotten" 81 know It, re-
| sponded the player as he turned to the
| crowd. but you are paying for my straw
| berries and ice cream, old sport, with your
| little half dollar" The laugh was on the
| fan.
| l am convinced that no one man is capa-
| BILE OF playing ball and managing ball
| club in the big leagues at the same time.
| Either his playing or his work outside Will
| soon tell and his game grow weaker, ana