Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-04-01
BASEBALL CAMPAIGN NEAR
Continued From Page Nine.)

tCQnLllueO
condition. He. ike an other players in
the league, received a good reduction
in salary this year. and there seems to
be a question as to whether he will ac-
cept the terms offered him in spite of
the fact that he has already signed
contract.
Just prior to the departure of the
team for the Springs Wagner held
three hour conference with President
Dreyfuss. after which it was stated
that matters had been adjusted salts
factorily. In spite of this Wagner did
not accompany the team, and it was
given out that his reason for not doing
so was ON account of the illness of his
father When it was learned that his
father was not seriously ill it was
stated that Wagner was building
number of new houses at his home and
that he wished TO remain there until
few details regarding them had been
arranged.
Wagner, it is we'll known, has re-
ceived offers from minor leagues more
liberal than that of Dreyfuss.
Murnane Would Back Arson.
Tim Murnane is one of the stanchest
of Pop" Anson's many admirers. He
says:
II have been interested in the Arson
Griffith controversy. Griffith says that
Arson cannot hit or catch the spit ball
as thrown by CHESHIRE. Griffith is well
acquainted with the work of both men,
and he is in a better place to judge
M 10
spit ball theory. Duke Farrell and
other great catchers say the spit ball
cannot be caught to a certainty. Now,
Arson was never much of a catcher,
and the chances are he would take sew
eral kinks out of his spine if he ever
attempted to go after the new deliv-
cry.
when it comes to hitting the ball
Arson in condition could hit it if any
one could If it came above the waist.
for the old captain always liked the
ball above his belt. He was rare
good hitter, however. and, judging
from his work with the billiard cue. is
not all IN yet, so that Mr.. Chesbro
would find it a tough proposition to
strike out the ex-king of batsmen.
game ever produced twenty years ago,
when the distance was fifteen feet less
than at present, and found all Corners
Radbourn, Ward, Sweeney, Whitney,
Keefe, Ferguson, Jim Mccormick and
John Clarkson are names to ponder
over, yet Arson at the shorter dis
lance, with the privilege of running
out of the box. could time the ball and
keep up his fine batting record"
Fine For Larry.
The day after the Clevelands' arrival
at Atlanta a messenger from the capitol
came to their hotel, presented the COM
pliments of Governor Joseph NJ. Ter
rell to Manager Lajoie and said that
the governor requested the honor of a
visit from the highest salaried, heaviest
hitting and best all round ball player
IN the world. Larry accepted the invi-
tation, stepped into the waiting con-
veyance and was soon in the office of
Georgia's chief executive talking base
ball with the governor.
Stahl Gets Cassidy.
Manager Stahl reported to the Wash
| 1ngton club recently that he had signed
Outfielder Harry Cassidy, whom the
Pittsburg club had overlooked. BY not
rendering the youngster a contract be
fore March 1 the Pittsburg club unln-
tentionalIy released him from reserva-
ton and enabled him to sign where he
pleased. He preferred q chance at
Washington to a probable berth with
Atlanta as "farmed" hand.
A Second Rusie.
Pitcher Fiene Of the Chicago White
Sox looks the part of a second Rusie.
He is a big fellow, over six feet tall,
with the strength and arm to throw a
bali through a battleship. and has youth
and good habits all in his favor He
will be the only novice on the White
Sox roster this year.
Jersey City's Team.
The Jersey City team of the Eastern
league has about completed its roster
of players for next season. With Wal
lace Clement, George Merritt. Harry
Pattee and Pitcher Mueller returned
from the Brooklyn club and the men