The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-06-30
Veteran Was a Handicap to
the Nationals.
CLUB BETTER WITHOUT HIM
Former Washington Players Harsh
Criticism of Joe CantiIlon Was Not
mined 10 Make Him Cover More
Ground, Hence HIS Crouch.

extending over twenty-three years, he
had outlived his usefulness IN the major
league ranks, Lave Cross took his release
by Washington so much to heart that he
lost no time after reaching New Orleans
to hand out a roast Of the local manage
ment and of j.. Cantillon IN particular.
Cross says that Cantillon's methods are
all wrong, and that the manager has been
unable 70 get along with the players be-
cause Of some of the orders that he has
Issued The former National says that
while there is some excellent material In
the club the team is destined 70 re-
main IN a low position. as the men refuse
to play for Cantillon.
Cross rolst is not at all unexpected TO
those who were familiar with the inter
nal condition of the team while Cross
played here. Connie Mack dropped Cross
from the Athletics because the shrewd
manager realized that the player was no
longer Of major league caliber. When
Cross came here he played under Jake
Stahl and was allowed 20 do practically
as he chose While there was nothing
brilliant about his work last season. he
made few errors, but soon earned for
himself a position in the Play EN-
safe" class on the field he took few
chances on batted balls, and the result
was that many a drive which should have
been smothered went flying through the
infield between third base and shortstcp.
Finally this became so noticeable that
the shortstop was compelled 10 play over
toward third. This left a big hole be
tween short and second.
CantiIIon Got Wise.
Last year Cross got away with his sys-
TEN. but as soon as Cantillon took charge
he sized the situation up at once. and is
sued few pcint-blank orders that were
not 70 Cross liking. Perriue, who started
the season. was instructed 20 pay more
attention 90 MS left side and TO play
nearer to second. When Altizer was
shifted the same order held good.
This naturally riled Cross, as he was
made to cover the required amount Of
ground. This he did not do, and Cantil-
Ion was as ready with his calls to the
third baseman as he was TO any other
member Of the team Finally relations
between player and manager became so
strained that they were hardly on speak
ing terms. Cautilon had already made
up his mind TO rid the club Of Cross. and
when Delehanty was obtained Cross was
dropped without ceremony.
As soon as Cross got on his crouch with
Cantill0n the player had the sympathy Of
a couple Of his teammates, whose work
had also drawn forth some pretty terse
criticism from their chief. There was not
a day that Cantillon did not lay the law
down to these rebels. and as soon as
Cross was shipped the other players real
lied that there was no use attempting 10
bulldoze Canullon. and they lost no time
in falling into line and supporting their
manager in all Of his moves.
Sometimes They Reform.
Few managers Of major league base
ball clubs possess an entire team Of
which at least one member is not either
dissatisfied. head-strOng. or Ung0verna-
BILE, and Il has been the effectiv- policy
10 remove such characters from the team
Yet there are certain and unc0ntr0lla-
bic circumstances which cause a man
ager 10 waive the customary action
when his rules Of discipline have been
violated. and with methods which 20 him
seem justlhable in bringing about ref
ormation the offending member is kept
until such a time when he either be-
comes the player he should be or Is final
" released when It is evident that he
viii never mend his ways.
When Manager MCCloskey assumed
control of the st. Louis National League
club he found himself amid a lot Of dis
senters and dsiturbers and not until he
sold. exchanged, or released every mem
Der Of the old team was he able to gather
together a team after his own fashion
whom he could control. whose confidence
he holds, and who are full Of endeavors
for the betterment of the club.
It took the new manager over a year
to accomplish this. II appeared al first
that he would have trouble with some
OF the new men who displayed a liken-
ing for things detrimental TO the future
Of themselves and the club. but ne was
successful in Strengthening them out and
still retaining them for himself, and was
not compelled to get rid Of them. This is
what Cantillon intends 70 do here
Probably no manager has had more
trouble with any one player than Man
ager Mack. Of the Athletics. has had in
the past several years with the famous
"Rube' Waddell. Waddel has been fined
and suspended repeatedly during the time
he has been a member Of the Athletics,
and as many times has he returned TO
the game and played excellent ball. will
ing and full of repentance. only to fall
again. and Il has often happened that
his eccentric, barbarOUs actions have
caused his absence from the game when
his team was in need Of his services.
Case of Rube Waddeu.
Had WaddeH been in condition to work
in the championship series between the
New York Giants and the Athletics in
1905. the result might have been quite
different Waddell this season SEEM. to
have settled down to the biddings of his
manager. and he has pitched a number
Of splendid games.
Early in June Manager McAleer sus-
pended big Ed Spencer for violating an
act Of discipline The drinking of even
beer IS forbidden the members Of the St.
Louis Browns. and McAleer happened in
on Ed when ne was imbibing. When re-
minded of the club rules by his manager,
Spencer said he could not refrain from
drinking his one or two glasses of beer
each day, and he was told to go home and
think il over.
. Spencer Is still under suspension. and
will remain out Of the game until he has
obliterated the cause upon which his
suspension stands. Not until Manager
McAleer feels certain that there will be
no further transgressiOns of the discip-
line he has established for the members
of the team will Spencer be granted the
opportunity of rejoining his club and TAX
ing his turn behind the bat
His absence from the game is Of more
loss 10 McAleer at this time than It can
ever be 10 Spencer. McAleer always has
had an exalted opinion of his ability as a
catcher, and his faith that Spencer will
yet develop into great bali player re-
cefr-oe -radanoa from the 10