The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-07
CURRENT SPORTING GOSSIP.
ONLY THREE PLAYERS HAVE
SIGNED WITH BROOKLYN.
Reduced Salaries Said to he The Cause. but
Banlon VIII Get a Move ON soon
a.. Pitcher Taylor to BRING Damage
suits-Smathers Names Two-N ear-OIds

Although the Brooklyns. under Manager
Hanlon, will go South on March 20, only
three players have signed contracts so far.
and they are all new men. II is Maid that
the club has cut salaries all around. with the
idea Of reducing expenses. According to
recent statement Of Frank De Haas Robson.
the Brooklyn Club lost money last season.
which was chiefly due 20 the poor showing
Of the team Tho war with the American
League proved hardship for the Brook
lyns. "a such men as Kecler Jones. Daily.
Kelly McGuire. Donovan. kitson and others
who helped TO win the National League pen
nant two years in succession jumped at the
offers OF Increased pay In their places
Hanlon was compelled TO secure players of
doubtful calihrc from the minor leagues
where he is still looking for talent Early IN
January Hanlon had flfty-four players on the
Brooklyn Clubs list. some secured by regular
draft and others taken from minor league
clubs. 10 be covered up" until tho drafting
season was at an end More than half OF
this number have been sent back to last
years employers and with the rest In hand
Hanlon will try 10 mould a new ball team
70 begin the National League race next
month
III Sheckard does not play this year Hanlon
will be up tree TO find a substitute for this
brilliant fielder. unless he plays Gcssler in
the position Dillon. tho big first baseman
will not BE- member of the team, either
as he has been sold TO Los Angeles. As Hugh
Jennings will remain with the Baltimore
team, owned by Hanlon. McGamwell the
player taken from the Albany club of the
New York State League. may cover the initial
sack, Emil Batch. the youngster whom
Hanlon picked IN in Holyoke. Mass last
year. will probably cover third base again. |
If he plays the bag with the same speed he |
showed last fall there can be no fault found
with him. He is a good hitter and flanlOn |
thinks he VIII improve "a he gains experience. !
Lewis. OF last years Baltimore team may |
be the shortstop. He did 80 well with the
Orioles that half dozen major league clubs
were after his services. but Ianlon had first
choice and decided 10 hold him. Charley !
Babb. last years shortstop Is also on the
clubs roster and may be needed when
Hanlon lot Strang 20 he evidently made UP
his mind 10 get another second baseman
He has crack inheder named Cargo, who
played short for ALBANY last year and will
also get out bis lines for young Jordan who
Ia an excellent man at second bag Lumley
the hard hitting right fielder who IS already
q star can be depended on again to be on deck
and Bobby Dobbs will possibly cover his old
place at centre field
In addition TO a number Of young pitchers
who will be tried out Haulon has the more
experienced boXmen Jones, Poole and Cronin
with Bergen. Ritter and Jackltsch 10 do the
catching. Altogether II does not seem prob
able that the Brookyns viii excel their work
Of year ago when they found 1t impossible
10 get out OF the second division. The OFT
,lals Of the club are still celebrating as to
he advlsabtllty Of playing sunday games
II home. II Is the opinion in some quarters
hat the games that We're played last season
u Washington Park injured the attendance
Turing the week. but II IL understood that
he club officials do not look upon the matter {
rom this point Of view
Pitcher Jack Taylor who WAS recently
ried and fined 500 for misconduct by the !
'o-rd OF directors OF the National League,
; out with a statement that his club the
u. Louis Nationals will pay the amount q
4 his fine and that through his attorney,
ohm VI Ward. he will bring suits for damages !
gainst Garry Hermann Of the Cincinnati ! :
hub and James A. Hart Of the Chicago club {
IleRing that these men circulated false re-
)orts rejecting upon his honesty as a ball
player. Taylor says that he has been sd-
7lsed that he has clear case and that the
'ourts Will give him proper redress.
Napoleon lajoie. the manager Of the Cleve- $
snds, has thc greatest record of all batsmen | I
Ttth the exception Of Adrian c Arson For I .
Inc years LaJoie has averaged 363 and has q
ever batted under J2i liz las been to tho "
at 4,0t5 times and has made l.i6l base hits
Inson has a grand average Of $3.50 for fifteen y
ears of service on the diamond Iajoie's =
ecord as a major League player is a. fol- j.
ows: !,