The Washington herald., 1907-09-02

club need not be surprised by an an
nouncement, at any time between now
and the beginning of preliminary prac-
tice IN the spring. that kid" Elber-
field, of New York. and Dutch"
Schaefer of Detroit, are to wear Ma
tional uniforms next season
Thus far the local management has
not made any proposition to either
Griffith or Jennings. and it may be
that nothing definite viii be done until
the winter meetings of the moguls
when most deals are made. but It can
be said. without any reservation. that
Joe CantiIon has at least an even
chance Of landing the two stars before
the gong SOUNDS next April
1t is no secret that Schaefer and
Elberfeid arc dissatisfied with their
present berths- Neither player is in
the game at present and although poor
physical condition has nothing to do
with their absence from the lineup
there seems to be little likelihood of
either Elberfeld or Sehaefer getting
back into the game unless some OF
the players who are being kept in the
game are injured.
EIberfeId Likes CantiIIOn.
So far as EIberfeld is concerned. New
York is paying a big salary to player
who is practically useless, as he has
made up his mind that he cannot get
along with the powers that be, and
has come out with the fiat statement
that he is done with Griffith, Farrell
* Co. and that the only town that ne
Is willing 20 play in is Washington.
The "Tabasco Kid" is a personal
friend Of Cantillon and an admirer of
the methods of the local manager, and
as he figures that there Will be q win
ming team in this city next year he
wants TO come here and hold down
shortstOp. He has told the Yankee
management this, and according 10 re-
ports from Gotham, the scrappy little
player has come forth with an ulti-
matum that he Will be either sold or
traded to Washington or viii spend his
time next summer on his farm raising
chickens.
While Elberfeld has had the repUta-
ton Of being hard man 10 handle, his
ability as a ball player has never been
questioned, and to-day he has thou
sands Of admirers who consider him the
best shOrtstop in the American League.
Last year he played in ninety-nine
games and had batting average of
.306, while his fielding was consistent.
and at times sensational This season
he has been unable 60 do himself jus
tice because of his unsatisfactory sit
uation. but even under this handicap
ne has hit .2S4 and his fielding has been
correspondingly good
Schaefer Is Dissatisfied.
For the past two years Schaefer has
had a thorny path to travel This sum
mer things have gone from bad TO
worse until trade of Schaefer is being
openly discussed by the Detroit scCibes.
Jennings and Schaefer have been I'M
able TO gee. and practically all sea-
son the star second baseman has been
kept on the bench and forced to watch
Il young recruit play his position.
Schaefer has protested against tho
treatment which he has been forced 10
endure, and has asked his manager to
either trade him or let him get back
into the game. as he realizes that
player whose principal duties are
knocking out flies and sitting around
on the bench viii soon outlive his use
fulness.
Schaefer and Cantillon have been
close friends for years. On the trip
down the Mississippi on Charley Co
miskey's hOuseboat last winter, Can
tillOn and Schaefer were boon com
paniOns, but a deal at that time was
not even thought Of, as it was believed
that there would be no question
that Schaefer would play second base
regularly for the Tigers. But the
handling he has received during the
past five months has affected Schaefer's
feeling toward Detroit, and no one
would be happier over a trade whereby
Washington obtains the player than
SchGefer himself.
It is, of course, not known what
Washington would have TO give for the
two star players, and nothing is likely
10 be done in the matter until Jen-
nings and Griffith make overtures to
CantillOn. 1t is doubtful If money viii
figure In either deal so it will be up
to Washington to meet requests for
players
So far as New York is concerned il
UlLtHeES-
for the twirling stan is easily the
weakest department OF the Highland
crs makeup. Time and again Crit
fifth has made offers for Case Patten, as
he believes that the southpaw could do
more for New York than any pitcher
in the American League While here
this summer Griffith told the writer
that in his estimation Patten is one Of
the greatest pitchers in the business.
so the big left-hander will undoubtedly
figure in the deal in case New York
Rgrees to allow Elberfeld to come here.
May Give AltiEer.
of course, New York will want some
one to take Elberfeld's place, so it is
Tot improbable that Altizer will go.
while Washington may get LapOTte, al
lowing the Yankees first chance on
Falkenberg, another pitcher Griffith
wants, should CantilIon decide to let
the long fellow leave Washington.
Cantillon has such a surfeit of plas7-
ers that it is not believed that there
viii be much trouble in meeting De-
troits requests in trade for Schaefer.
The Tigers would probably want .
pitcher and a catcher OF a utility in
fielder.
In case Elberfeld should come he
would play shortstop. and in addition
10 his regular duties in the position
would be the general of the infield, as
he is considered quite a tactician. and
his spirited playing would have it's eff
feet in bTacing up the work OF the
whole infield.
What would be done with Schaefer is
somewhat of a problem. jim Dele
hanty is to-day playing as good a game
as any second baseman in the league.