The Washington herald., 1907-06-10
srANn1NG nF rHE TEAMs-

Washington is no longer the foundation
Of the American League. for the Ma
tionals are now in seventh place, only
fifty points behind the ST. Louis Browns.
While the club has played some really
frst-class ball during the past ten days.
Joe Cantillon has been more active than
ever before i'm his efforts TO strengthen
the team. Washington fans have had all
sorts of promises in regard to the local
team in the past and they have been so
often disappointed that Cantillou is
handing out no promises at present but
is content 10 go along with his own plan
of gradually wedding out the weak MEM
bers Of the team and supplanting them
by promising players.
The first position to be strengthened
viii be first base. Hickman's injury has
proved such a handicap that Cantillon
has practically given up hope Of getting
Cheerful into shape to play the bag
regularly.
ElwOOd may prove strong enough to fill
the position, but in case he fails. or even
II his work IS satisfactory, Cantillon has
planned to bring jerry Freeman here
from Minneapolis before the beginning Of
next season.
Freeman Is considered by far the best
first baseman in the American Associa-
ton. and several major league clubs are
now bidding against each other in an
effort TO land the player The best offer
comes from the ST. Louis Nationals. but
tending clubs that he viii consider nothing
further. for if Freeman leaves Mime
apolis il will be to come 20 Washington.
Minneapolis has lately gotten into the
lead in the American association after
most surprising spUrt and il would not
be fair 10 the fans of that city TO snatch
Freeman away at this time but as soon
as the pennaut is clnched the prize guar
dian Of the initial sack will be brought
here. Last week Cantillon gave out this
news TO some close friends, but it leaked
out and is no longer a secret, so the fans
may be assured that Jerry Freeman, of
Minneapolis. is the man upon whom the
Nationals are n depend 10 play first. il
not before the end of this season at
least by the beginning of the next cham
piOnship campaign.
is third base. Although Lave Cross was
at one time "a great ball player, and last
year did well enough for Washington.
his work thus far this season has been
below the standard. Not only has he un-
derg0ne an awful slump in batting. but
he has not covered sufficient ground to
satisfy those higher up. Many wanted
Perrine shifted TO third base and Cross
given d rest but Cantillon did not favor
such a move, and when Cross leaves
third II will be % make way for some
new player Contrary 10 report Shipke
OF Des Moines, is notthe man whom Cantil-
Ion expects 20 bring here TO play third
CantilIOu. has other plans for a new
player. and If ne succeeds in putting
through the deal the newcomer should
prove satisfactory. For fear that IL
might upset all plans. the name Of the
player in view cannot be announced at
this time.
After first and third bases are bOlstered
up, Canuil0n viii get another outfelder,
a pitcher, and possibly another catcher,
and then the Nationals should be much
more OF q factor than ever before In the
American League race, but until the new
men come into the fold, one by one. Can
tillon Is not anxious 20 discuss the situa-
ti0n. lest the deals that are now hanging
fire be baked.
Buffalo Bill SchlaHy. the Nationals
scout. will leave here to-day for a trip
through the Tri-State League. Several
players have been highly recommended
to Cantillon. and if they impress Schlafy
they will be purchased and brought here
to be given a try-Out Schlafy viii re-
turn 70 Washington before the end Of the
week.