Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-18
SERIOUS SITUATION
IN AMERICAN LEAGUE
Importance of DeIehanty Dis
barment Comes to the
Surface in Chicago.

AS the American League season draws
to a close with the four western teams
fighting tooth and nail for the champion
ship. President Ban johnson is confronted
with proposition that may prove a big
sensation within the next two weeks and
land the Clevelands in the front of the
race. This proposition is the Punishment
of Jimmy Delehanty from the Cleveland
grounds. A couple of newspapers in
Cleveland made such a howl over "Ders''
profanity in his native city, over what he
thought was rank treatment by Umpire
O'Loughlin. that President Johnson.
doubtless to placate the press and fans
of that place. issued an order barring the
local second baseman from the Maps
grounds for the rest Of the season and
also next.
When this decision was rendered Pres
ident Johnson doubtless did not see its
far-reaching results or it's injustice to
the different clubs instead Of Furnishing
the man aimed at. At the present time
the Cleveland club is in second place with
a fair chance of beating out the Detroits
The Washington club is due in Cleveland
as it has always been thorn in the sides
of the Maps, the trio Of battles is very
| important. With Delehanty. Washing
toms strongest hitter. barred, the Maps
Shipke will be unable to play the percent
age of their winning takes a still bigger
jump.
Deiehanty gets three-day rest at his
troit, st. Louis and Chicago clubs will
meet the Washingtons at their ebst and
although they had nothing to do with the
fracas in Cleveland they are practically
made to hold the bag.
wild report came out of Chicago last
night to the effect that Manager Cantil-
lon would insist upon playing Delehanty
in the Cleveland series, and if he was
barred out the games would be forfeited
to the Maps. 1t is more than likely that
Manager Cantillon has given the Chicago
papers something to write about that
while in the Windy city, and that no such
extreme move as forfeiting is thought of.
Manager Cantillon does not own or con-
troll the Washington club when it comes
down to a move of this sort, as it not only
involves great loss in the way of fines
and receipts, but might lead to a dis
rupton Of the American League. 1t is
only common sense to say that had such
han 1ofo Cd 10
tillon would have consulted with the local
officials before going west, something he
didn't do, and this fact alone is enough to
kill off the sensational Chicago reports.
AT the time the case developed in Cleve-
land President Noyes wrote a protest to
President Johnson, not pleading for, Dele
hanty, but for fair play for the other
clubs in the American League. Mr.. Noyes
then pointed out the result of the expul-
sion of Delehanty from the Cleveland
grounds, and the development today DEM
onstrates that he hit the situation
squarey on the head. 1t was hoped that
President Johnson would see the injustice
of his decision in the case, and. as he had
the nerve to develop and bring out
situation never before heard Of in base
ball, lie would also be strong enough to
rescind the order.
The Chicago papers have evidently
played up Manager Cantillons statement
to the limit, as the following story from
The Stars correspondent in the Windy
city would indicate:
Washington must play at Cleveland or
abide by the penalties provided for the
deliberate forfeiture of games said Ban
Johnson this morning when asked about
the remarks of Joe Cantillon. After yes
terdays game Cantillon declared that
Washington would prefer to forfeit all
three games at Cleveland rather than ap-
pear without Delehanty. Deps disbar-
ment from the Cleveland grounds, SO Joe
thinks, is arbitrary and unjust.
." The orders OF the league are definite
and final said Ban. and Delehanty is
ruled off at Cleveland. If Washington
does not play the club will have to pay
the fines and penalties provided for such
cases. and L hardly think they will do
anything SO foolish.
The handing over of three games to
Cleveland by forfeiture would be an aw-
full Jolt to the cOntending leaders, and
would practically give Cleveland the flag
Washington has had Cleveland's goat all
year and was expected to trim the Ma
poleons handily."