Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-01
BASE BALL COMMENT.
BY JBOB C. MORSE.

Boston could use man of the Mack
stamp, and perhaps it Is needless to add
so could other clubs. Mack can take cast
offs and mold them In to a fast frst-class
team Was it not a fact that ''Rube" Wad-
dell had been with such clubs as Chicago
and Pittsburg and been allowed to go else
where? Connie Mack took hold Of him and
managed to get the best there was in the
man, and behold what asset has this
player not been for Mack and bids fair to
continue to be. He has been turned into
a flrst-class investment So can 1t be said of
Catcher Schreck and Powers No other
manager was ever compelled to depend
upon his resources more than was Mack
when he lost Lajoie. but he never lost
heart. although the outlook was anything
but brilliant, and the result was that he
gathered together club that was a good
one and last season landed the pcDnant.
There was much disappointment among
American League adherents when the Ath-
letlcs went down to such signal defeat at
the hands Of the New York giants" but
1t must be remembered that Mathewson
pitched a wonderful game of ball. and it
may we'll be doubted il any club could have
won from him in the form he in at
that time. Again and again it has been
demonstrated in the National League what
wonder Mathewson is In the box. The
Athletics simply had no good as he
and could not hit him.
Long ago seybold. who has been with
Mack for six seasons. was tipped off as a
desirable man, but he was allowed to get
away even by such clever manager
Frank Selee, and Frank also allowed Jesse
Tannehili to get away from him. OF
course. the best Of managers Will make mis-
takes. 1t makes smile to think of any
first-class manager passing up Latoie. but
that is exactly what Selee did, refusing to
take chance on that player, saying that
81 800 was too much to pay for him and
Geier. Philadelphia paid the money and got
II back very quickly. Nowadays that sum
is rather insignificant for a good man.
The Boston Americans made deal last
season on the basis of such a flrst-class
pitcher as Olmstead and So, 900 cash for Out
fielder Clay. who never Joined the team.
and judging by his work this year is not
likely to even if he should manifest desire
SO to do. as he has not been hitting at all
according to the promise made last season.
Boston, too. gave Outfielder Stone back to
the st. Louis club and paid 81. 500 to get
Jess Burkett TO that city with what result
every one knows.
On the other hand Mack has gone out
and taken on blood such as knight the IN
fielder. and Lord. the outfielder. He has
actually secured first-class talent without
paying single penny therefor. Dygert.
the young spit-ball pitcher, who has done
such excellent work for the Athletics, was
farmed out TO the New Orleans team and
now Mack has been getting rich interest
from that investment. There are few Macks
however. He comes very near TO be in a
class by himself. Others get up or come
down, but he Is there all the time. What
would not such man be worth to some of
the major league teams that have always
been striving after a pennant. but have
been unable to secure successful club.
**
In this connection 1t may be remarked
that Fred Tenrey has done some very good
work and has got together a team that Is
capable of putting up a most interesting
game. He secured some very good talent
without putting out a penny therefor
Bates the dashing little center fielder, was
a splendid captain. He has jaunty ap-
pearance on the ball field and is spry as a
cat. He shows splendid judgment in going
after a fly ball and bids fair to compare
with the best in another season. Strobel
was a local product who never had as much
as a minor league trial. Tenney was
pleased with his appearance the very first
time ne saw this young man play, and he
has certainly justified the opinion of his
manager. for not yet in his first complete
year as ball tosser he can field with the