The Washington herald., 1907-01-21


League signing star Players Dis
credited-McGraw After InfieIders.
Tom Hughes. who played the last few
weeks of last season with an outlaw
club in Chicago. viii return TO Washing
ton in the spring as a regular member OF
the Nationals pitching staff.
When in proper condition and trying
Hughes is capable Of pitching high-class
ball as was shown by his work in sew
eral games last summer, especially these
against Cleveland. AS soon as the club
took it's early slump last year however.
Hughes became Indifferent in his work,
and was finally indefinitely suspended by
Manager Stahl. He hiked off to Chicago
and signed with the Logan Square semi
Professional team, but a few games in
the Windy City convinced Hughes that
he had better get back into the big league
As soon as Joe CantillOn received his ap-
pointment Hughes lost no time in getting
matters patched up, and word has been
received from CantilIon that Hughes will
be signed. and will again play with the
local club.
As Hughes played outside of the realm
Of organized baseball it was thought thar
perhaps some difficulty would be eX-
9crienced In gettins the pitcher rem
stated. but matters are now being ad-
justed, and Hughes will return.
Manager Cantillon is on the Mississippi
River with Charley Comiskey's house
beat party, but he will return to Chi
cago within a couple of days.
some volunteer press agent has saddled
the new Atlantic League with the reSpon-
sibiIity of a plot to wreck the baseball
system" by stealing a batch OF famous
bali players from big league clubs.
II the Atlantic League really means To
conduct war Of reprisal against the
National Association. which is composed
uf minor leagues. the promoters would
90 well TO muzzlc this publicity agent
until he knows what he is talking about
San players do not fall fer song
nowadays, The penalties are too severe;
and besides, they are ali from Mis-
souri, Possibly Billy Gilbert. who has
been dropped by the New York Giants,
might close with a good Offer but no
baseball man believes for a minute that
Atlantic League agents will capture Mike
Donln. Jimmy Collins, Joe McGinnity,
and other men who Craw big salaries
The real baseball war between the
American and National leagues tempted
men Of this class. but league play
ing To- "a patronage such as the Atlantic
League may enjoy cannot hope TO win
Z b of vi
toned have no grievance and il is doubt
fui if some of the persons connected with
the new league viii stand many assess
menIs for big salaries. 50 il would be a
hard matter 10 induce star performers TO
brave the blacklist. especially when the
reward is so uncertain.
A majority of players who sought
refuge in the TTi-State League Gid so be-
cause they had been sold 10 minor league
teams. A star can get an he is worth in
organized baseball The trouble lies in
the fact that many bail players oveTrate
themselves
1t is stated that William Lawson. one
of the promoters Of the new league, hopes
20 secure the services Of AIcGinnity.
Mertes. Donlin. Gilbert, Joe Kelley, and
Jimmy Collins.
Possibly Gilbert would accept good
terms, but Donlin has no desire 10 go 10
war with his present employers. He has
been well treated IN New York. Last year
he drew salary all season, though DE
prayed less than thirty games.
MCGiaUity is a player who sometimes
has grievance But he is too good a
business man 10 make any rash moves
Nertes would not remain in the East ex-
cept as "a member Of "A big league He
may Quit the game and devote his time 10
i'm
Kelley's future is unsettled. He is not
wholly dependent on baseball for q living.
and he can get plenty IF good offers from
leagues and clubs already well established
and capable Of redeeming promises.
Collins has no desire 10 leave Boston
as he is still working under Il liberal con-
tract II he can still play good ball he
can get the money in Boston; If not, he
certainly would not be welcome in the
Atlantic League. Nobody is paying big
money for past regulations.
That John J. McGraw fears for the
Giants inneld the coming season IS evil
dent from the hurried moves he is max
ing To strengthen it. One of these was
shown when the announcement was made
that if McGraw and Brush We're friendly
with Murphy, Of the Chicago Cubs they
would offer big price for Johnny EVers
McGraw has just begun to realize the
excellence of the little Troy mans work
around the middle sack.
Now that Billy Gilbert, never a great
star. has been allowed 10 go 10 the East
eru League, either Sammy Strang or Tom
Corcoran Is slated for the vacant place
Strang would help the batting strength
of the team. but would prove an indiffer-
with COTCoran. No wonder, then, that
McGraw wants to get a man who Is
phenomenal fielder and good batter, too
But the idea that the Chicago team would
part with Evers is TO be laughed at
Patsy Donovan. the former Washington
manager, who put Brooklyn on the base
baH map once more last season. is enter
tanning high hopes for the coming season.
Patsy figures that if he can add another
good pitcher or two 10 his team he will
have a winning combination, as the club
played good ball in other respects last
season. Donovan thinks that Pitcher
George Bell, who has signed with the /
Dodgers. and on whom the national com
mission has placed q fine of $500. viii /
prove one of his twirling stars next sea-
son Bell was the star pitcher OF
Lancaster (TTi-State League last summer. /
Numerous efforts We're made 10 sign him /
for Washington. but the Tri-State men
kept Bell away from big league agents. /
Brooklyn had claim on Bell. and now
that the Dodgers are beginning 10 be re- 1
speCted once more ne is willing to plav
In fact. it is said. he was anxious TO nlav
last season. but did not want to ask
President Ebbets for the job So is John /
Doescher, the sOuthpaw. who jumped from
BROOKLYN TO the Tri-State last snrirf, 4