Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1908-06-22
GRADY RELEASED;
WALLER RESIGNS;
RED OWENS SIGNS
John A. O'ROurke Named as
Manager Of Wilmington
Team With Full Control
NEW BATTERY EXPECTED;
RULES WILL BE STRINGENT

Michael Grady released as captain.
william F. c. Waller resigned as man.
aser.
John A. O'Rourke signed as manager.
Red" owens signed as second base.
man.
This is the history OF the transactions
OF the Wilmington Tri-state baseball to@n
within the past thirty-six hours.
Owners Of the Wilmington baseball team
are determined 10 make one more effort 10
give TO the baseball loving public OF vii.
mington team that will be worthy Of its
support and with this end In view have
made some radical changes in the club
For some time past Il has been rumor I'd
that changes would be made IN the team
and Il was said that when they came it
would surprise some one. The FIRST intima.
tion OF anything doing in this line was the
announcement made here yesterday morn
ing that Michael Grady was handed his
walking papers in Harrisburg Saturday
night by Manager Waller. The next step
was the announcement that Manager Wal
Ter had resigned within twenty-four hours
after he had handed Grady his release.
Then came the announcement that j.
Percy Stetler had been engaged SIS msn-
ager of the team and that he would as
sumo charge to-day.
This statement was refuted this morning,
however. when John A. O'Rourlse, OF
Philadelphia, who has successfully man
aged the Philadelphia Professionals ar
rived in Wilmington and was engaged az
manager Of the team by the owners OF the
cub. Mr.. O'Rourke is said to be a man Of
considerable executive ability and one
who having had eighteen years experience
in the baseball business is thoroughly cap
able OF taking in charge team and II
there is anything in II placing It in the
position in the race that 1t is entitled TO.
Mr. O'Rourke arrived in Whining
ton shortly before noon to-day, and in
conversation said; Il have been given
full control of the team, and propose to
conduct It on lines that will be for the
best interests Of the owners and Of the
public. do not propose I ODE harsh
with the men, but do propose to have
them understand that baseball Is a
business with them and that expect
them to attend TO IL the same as II
they were engaged IN airy other busl-
ness. This is not a game of play but
a game Of work, sucn as is due any
employee to his employer OF course
IL Will take me several days to size up
the men and know what they are
worth, but you have a good club here
and one that is capable Of playing BAH.
If man does not do his best, as I see
II, there is a bench ] expect to have
a new battery tomorrow, and 1 am
negotiating for the return of Scott as a
right fielder, who played here early in
the season."
Harry Gleason, who is owned by Will
Transport, but who was let go condi-
tionally to Jersey City Of the Eastern
League. was in the city this morning
and had a consultation with O'RourlSe
IL was thought that Gleason would ne
signed by the local management, but
after a talk with the new manager
they could not come to terms and
Gleason returned to his home in Phila-
delphia, and Wolverton Of Williams
poiS, was wired OF the outcome of the
negotiations.
O'Rourke and "Red" wens came In
terms this morning, and the result was
that Owens will wear a Wilmington
suit in this afternoons game and win
continue to play with the peaches In
speaking on the situation Fred p. Benz
nett principal owner Of the local team,
said; "Mr. O'Rourke has absolute con-
not interfere with him in any way"