The Washington times., 1905-12-24
Lane Cross at Third
For WASHINGTON Team
Regular al SeCond-May Land Hide
brand-Outfield Looks Good
LAVE CROSS.

Lave Cross is to play third base for
TIE Washington baseball team next
season.
This announcement will be welcome
TO the fans, for tSere was a big l.
at third which needed filing. and the
acquisition of such an experienced and
reliable third eacker as Cross should
greatly strengthen tie entire infald.
Hunter Iiill was only indiffer ntly
good at best both In tho field and at
the bat, while at times MS work was
so poor that it weakened the entire
organization and discouraged the other
members of the team.
Tired of Captaincy.
Cross has been captain AMI general
assistant to Connie Mack fer four or
five years. and has be ore he-rsily
tired Of the responsibilities OF the posi-
tion- So strong were his feelings on the
subject that he notified Connie Mack
that he would not play ball any more.
but would remain at his home in Della
ware next season Persuasion was tried
but Lave would not be moved. and the
Athletics manager began figuring on
plans 20 develop Knight the phenomenal
young shortstop Of last season. as a
third sdcier
Jake Stahl heard OF the contumacious-
ness of Lave and sought him out at
his Eome in the peach country. They
had long talk. after which he agreed
to come 70 Washington and he notified
Mack 20 that effect He also told him
that he would play nowhere else than
IN the Capital Maci, was under many
obligations 10 his old captain and real
izing that ne could not get him himself
agreed to let him pick ont his own fu-
ture baseball home. Wherefore Cross
win play third for the Nationals next
season.
No money was paid for the new man.
nor was he traded for. but there IS a
tacit understanding that later in the
year the Athletics may get a Washing
ton player who IS not especially desired
b. the National management.
Both President Tom Noycs and Man
2ger Stahl We're much pleased with their
success in getting Cross. Said Stahl:
Cross Desirable Man.
"Nc are nearly all younS .a the ma
tional outfit, anG J do not think Il will
be doing a bit OF harm 10 have an old.
experienced man like Cross in such an
Important place rs third. lie knows the
game from start TO finish is ready for
any emergency and does the right thing
at the right time. Cross, apart from
his abilities on the field. IS an unusually
pleasant man TO have on III. team. H
I. ls ccmp1uionable and sociable, but does
rot dissipate, and sets an excellent *
ample tCr the younger men BON at
home and abroad.
'I3e IS an o!c timer but he is far from
being dead one. and MIR. Moves and
myself expect 10 SEQ a great improve
raonc around third next season. I also
"lsh to state that Cross is more thau
pleased 70 come 30 Washigton. It Is
near his home. and here he will stin be
in the game without the worry Of being
bc.hercd with the captaincy. The fact
that he came here Of his own volition
ard not AS sorehcad makes the out
look for his career in Washington az the
brighter.
Mil at Second.
I'VE have not yet decided what will
be done with Hill. but he will probably
go TO another team. Little MI viii get
;he regular position at second. for /
thini. he Sc going to make good there.
In the oUtdc!d we VIII probably line up
Hickman Jones and Anderson. This
VIII depend upon how Hickman's arm
holds out. Stanley may be given place
N the outheld, as he Is fast and bats in
.Jrcals. Hickman IS also Il streaky
0attor. and if we can get their streaks
co dovetail we vii: have an outneid that
VIII make the other fellows take notice
Charley Jones has been criticised for
not batting better. but 1 consider him
as probably the best outhelder in the