Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-04
BASE BALL GOSSIP
By Jacob c. Morse.


Duffy as manager of the Boston Ameri-
cans? That Is a query one hears very often
nowadays Duffy is available. and many
think he would be just the man for the
place. Such men as Jennings. Murray and
Cantillon have been allowed to go by the
board, and Duffy is about the only man lett
who can be depended upon to fill the bill.
Boston ought 10 have as good man as
can be found, and management counts for
very much these days.
There will be many changes In the ham
ding OF clubs in the American League next
season. Boston and Washington. in the
east, will have new men. 1t is generally
admitted that Joseph Cantillon will make
very good man for the Washington club.
and IL he does not succeed in obtaining
better position for that club than it has at
tanned for very long time 1t will be de-
cidede surprise indeed. No man has had a
better schooling for a major league position
than Cantillon. He knows men. he knows
work out Of them. He would have been
an ideal man for the Boston position.
The fact that 1t was generally supposed
that Stahl would handle the local club arose
in the way Of securing any other available
man to assume the reins. Gen. Taylor, the
owner Of the club says there Is ample time
In which to select leader. but 1t Is fact
that there are now few men to be had who
are capable OF properly filling the position
of handling major league club.
X *
Duffy did not achieve the success the
stockholders desired in Philadelphia. but
this was due to the fact that he did not
have the material necessary to produce a
winner. There is no doubt at all he Is
frst-class manager. He made a very good
showing, indeed, in 1905. but things did not
break as satisfactorily last season as they
that he would be pleased to take hold here
and the choice would be pleasing to his
army Of friends.
In the spring the club will again be in
the hands OF President John /. Taylor.
When Mr. Taylor had charge of the club
many claimed 1t was owing to his work
that the club stood as low in the race as
was the case. He went away and the club
sunk further in the mire than ever. This
was due, doubtless. to the disability both of
Collins and OF Criger. Had both of these
players been In the game the past season,
as they were the season before. there is no
doubt in the least the club would have done
better than finish In the last place.
X
=
Last season there was hitch on the
salary. matter. SONG OF the players were
cut. and that occasioned considerable dis
satisfaction among the players. The matter
was afterward adjusted and matters prog
ressed smoothly. 1t is said that when 1t
comes to make new contracts for next sea-
son the high scale of prices that has pre-
vailed Of late years will be modified. The
Boston club is one OF the most expensive in
the country. The salary roll Of last season
must have cost close to $4,000 This is
double that at least one major league club
cost. Then some of the players have failed
to put up anywhere near the article of ball
they displayed in former seasons. A fall
ing off in playing ability means a falling off
in the drawing ability of the player, who is.
therefore. unable to bring in the revenue
that was once the case.
There Is no telling who will play third
base for the team next season. Third base
men are extremely difficult to obtain. and
the club Will be called upon to develop some
young player who can play the position sat
isfactorily. There is no particular player in
view just at present, and only time will
show who will be the successor of Jimmy"
Collins.