Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-27
McGRAW PAYS BIG
PRICE FOR THONEY

BUFFALO. N. Y. July 27.-J. J. McCaf-
ferty, owner of the Toronto Eastern League
team. while In Buffalo yesterday announced
that Outfielder Jack Thoney of his team
had been sold for $500 to Manager Nc
Graw of the New York Giants.
The sale Of Thoney was the result of
spirited bidding on the part Of McGraw
and Manager Murray of the Philadelphia
Nationals.
Thoney will remain with Toronto until
the end of the Eastern League season.
when he will join the New York team. 1t
Is also reported that Rudolph Toronto 9
crack pitcher. has been sold to the Giants.
For what price cannot be learned. how
ever.
McCafferty said he felt he would lose
Thoney at the end of the season anyway
and, therefore, took the chance of selling
him now for a profit of $1,000.
Thoney could have been drafted IN the
fall for $780, but McGraw evidently was
afraid that some other manager might
beat him to the player.
Thoney batted .294 last year in the East
ern League, ranking fifth. He had a field
ing average of .947 in 1905 and stole forty
one bases, ranking third in this depart
ment of the game
If New York really paid 5000 for Thoney
1t is a record price for minor league
player.
Cleveland paid 5000 for Berger. the star
pitcher of the Columbus American Asso-
citation team. Joe Nealon cost the Pitts
burg club $4,000 two years ago, but he got
the money himself in the shape Of a bonus.
The sale Of Thoney for $500 calls atten-
ton to the fact that the development OF
timber for the big league clubs has grown
into profitable industry for minor league
clubs. The New York National club is out
bidding every club In the country for de-
sirable talent.
McGraw recently paid $500 for Larry
Doyle. the third baseman of the Spring
field, ILL.,, team McGraw and Brush are
determined to give New York a champion
ship team next season II money can get the
players.
The huge price paid for Thoney recalls
the fact that Chris Won der Abe, when In
the height OF his glory as a base ball mag
nate, bought the entire Bay City. Mich,
club in order to get one payer Chris
wanted Dave Foutz. Manager Watkins said
he might we'll sell his entire club II he
parted with Foutz.
How much do you want for the club
inquired Chris.
Watkins named his figures and Won der
brought Foutz to st. Louis and operated
the Bay City club until he could get his
money out of it. Foutz proved star with
the old Browns, and when Chris got ready
to market him, Dave figured with Bushong
and Caruthers in the $1S.5OO exchange with
Brooklyn. Charlie Byrne of Brooklyn want
ed Won der Ahe's three stars: Comskey
told Chris to sell them. and Der Boss"
president got $1S,50O for the trio.
Comiskey then filled their places with
new men and came very near trimming
Brooklyn for the pennant the next year.
Comskey could mod a winning team out
of almost any kind of talent. 1t was so
easy for "Commy" that Chris thought every
manager ought to do the same. hut this is
where he was fooled. Base ball has pro-
duced only one Comiskey. and it cost Won
der Abe his ball club to find it out.
Jack Thoney is Comeback" Clark
Griffith gave him try-out three years ago.
but found him too light. He is fine base
runner clever fielder and has improved
in batting every year. Not sc much to
Jacks credit is his propensity for umpire
batting. Eastern League critics have never
rated him much better than Jack Kelly,
the ex-Cardinal.