Evening star., 1908-01-27

Keeley two years ago. when he went
through the season in splendid shape.
lie was then only twenty years old. Last
season Kelley grew to be a big. strong
lad and Ills work was such as 10 create
sensation. but being under age he was not
allowed to place his name to contract by
his parents. Last December he reached
his majority and Kelley evidently assert
ed his rights and signed up with Manager
Cautillon.
The Washington manager is dubious
about Case Patten showing winning form
the coming season. and has been anxious
10 obtain a first-class southpaw fer some
time. Last fall Cantillon thought he had
secured the man he needed in Francis.
the Wisconsin wonder but this left-hand-
e. was in such poor condition that the
local man refused to pay even 500 for
him. and the national commission backed
him up.
!. Manager Joe believes that Oberlin will
% well this season. He is spit-ball
twirler and OF course they are always
troublesome. He showed good form at
the end OF the season. and should ne gain
control of the elusive wet ball, he will
be a valuable man for the locals.
Harry Pulliam can resign the office Of
president OF the National League IL he
wants TO. / don't care rap what lie
does commented Garry Hermann,
president OF the Cincinnati club. when he
heard that Pullam had announced his in
tention to resign al the meeting of tho
National League February ~ unless
Hermann supported him in his contro-
versy with tho National Association in re
gard To the alleged blacklis;inG OF players.
Pullian viii get my support when he
deserves ii. and not before. At present he
,es not deserve il. The National Asso-
citation has laid down its rules to the Ma
tioual League. and they have agreed TO
abide by our decisions. That being SO,
there is no call for all this strenuous
quarrelng. Pulliam gets too excited over
fa.ar ta - s.-,I icf
hasty TO rush into print with his answers.
II will not support him in his undigni-
fieI attacks or lie officials Of the Ma
tional Association. The commission has
the word of these gentlemen that they
will stand by the base ball laws and there
is therefore no further argument neces-
sary at this time.
Mr.. Hermann has written TO Secretary
Farrell Of the National Association to
make formal statement TO the public
showing the attitude OF his organization.
and he hopes that this statement will
clear the atmosphere.
Word comes from Detroit that Navin,
tie new head OF the Detroit Tigers. will
make a determined stand against the
demands of Tyrus Cobb. the champion
batsnan OF the American League, who
finished the season or 1907 with the splen-
did average OF 800. Mr. Navin says
that Cobb will receive no special privi-
leges. He has offered Cobb suhs.an-
t;al increase III salary. treating him as
liberally as he has done Donovan and
Crawford. the other stars OF the team.
and that is as far as he intends TO go.
Cobb has demanded a contract calling
for sJ.cG1 year for three years and an
additional clause in the contract guaran-
teeing that he be paid his salary In full
IN case OF injury. Cobb asserts that such
an additional clause is necessary for his
protection. as he IS in the habit of taking
desperate chances when stealing bases.
Navin thinks the clause IN regard 10 in
1uries " Supertiuous for the reason that
the club has ALWAYS cheerfully taken care
or lis injured players. and no change VIII
ever be made IN That regard. Again. Mr.
Nav!n thinks it unfair for player 10 ask
tho club for three years contract at
such a big salary as Si.op3. Too many
things can happen TO star FOR "A club
to take such chance.
c0bb and the club are now at a dead
lock ard il remains to he Scel winch will
give in. When the compromise comes II
will likely be a shortening Of the con-
tract. The club comedies that the Won
'derful hitter is entitled To a substantial
inSrease in salary.
President Ban johnson ~ the American
League recently gave ont in ST Louis
his poinion OF the deal, in which six play
ers figured. made this winter by Mana ger
Manager Jimmy Mcaleer of the St Louis
Browns.
The deal that McAleer and Griffith
put through was wonder" sa i'll Johnson
Honestly. each manager secured the bet
ter OF H.
griffith reeds big. strong pitcher.
onc who work regularly In Glade
he gets that man. During the greater
portion OF 1901 Niles was generally rated
every hit as good = batter aGd rum ccttcr
IS co.S. whiie his field PLAY VAS coIi-
pared with Lajoie's. SO, willie IIarr,.
wound up by failing j.. ST Louis, he ma y
prove a cyclone in Ncr York.
Hemphill has always been considered
good batter and fielder. But ST Louis
apparently is his .hoodco' town. While
he was practically useless 10 McAlecr, he