The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-08-09
Washington Gets Bill Gray,
Reputed Good as
Burns.
DELEHANTY TELLS
HIS SIDE OF CASE
says Umpire OIoughlin First
Cussed Him-Catcher Killifer
Deal Cff-Fight Story True.
By THOMAS S. RICE.


er. was bought by Washington from
Les Angeles. of the Pacific Coast
League, yesterday for $4,000.
Gray is considered by good judges not
only the best pitcher on the coast this
year. but was thought by many TO be
the best in that section last year. He
viii report TO the Washington training
camp In Galveston. Tex. next spring
and show just how good he really is.
That Gray had not broken into fast
company before has not been due to
lack of merit in himself or discrimina-
tiOn on the part OF the scouts. His
worth has been known ever since he
Joined the Los Angeles team after leav-
ing Cumberland, Nd. from which town
ne halls. and where he made a record
two years ago. He was a shining light
in Los Angeles in the 1907 season and
several clubs were after him. but his
wife was an invalid IN such poor health
that for her to have come East would
have FASTENED her death. and Gray re-
fused 10 depart for the majors and
leave her across tho continent.
WiIdness Only Weak Point.
Mrs. Gray died some months ago,
which left the pitcher free to 60 where
he pleased, and it is thought that hav-
ing the wOrTy about her OF mis- mind
will make him a greater pitcher than
ever
Washington's new find Is said to have
all the speed and curves that have
made Bill Burns, also from Los Angeles, |
such a marked success in his first sea-
son in fast company. When Burns in
stead Of Gray was obtained by Wash
in8ton last fall there were a number of
real shrewd judges who wondered why
Gray was not bought instead Of Burns.
The answer was Mrs Gray's health
The only weakness reported in Gray
IS streak of wildness which appears
al times, and neCCssitates his being
withdrawn in a hurry. In this he is
distinctly different from Burns. who IS
one OF the steadiest Ieft-handers who
ever acquired prominence in the box.
Burns naturally knows Gray well. and
when President Tom Noyes of the. club
asked his advice about making the pur-
chase, the big fellow promptly recon-
mended that Gray be obtained at all
costs, as he would undoubtedly deliver
the goods.
Splendid Record in 1907.
Gray's record on the coast last sea-
son was certainly ali 10 the desirable.
He was credited with thirty-tvvo games
Won and fourteen lost. for a pitching
average OF .6S6. That is certainly going
some. Burns in the same season won
twenty-three and lost sixteen games.
for an average of $50. He is not much
OF a hitter. as he batted only .2O5 last
year. and In fielding he was tenth, with
-946- Eli Gates was eleventh in fielding,
with .s44, and Burns was sixteenth,
with .s25, yet both OF those who ranked
below him in the same league have not
won any leather medals as the worst
fielders in the American League since
Joining Washington. so we can cheer up
over the ground-covering possibilities
Of Cray.
Jim Delehanty. the Washington sec
ond baseman. got TO Washington yes
terday afternoon with a tale of woe.
He was fred out Of the game in Cleve-
land on Tuesday for backtalk to I'm
pire SILK O'LOughlin, and was Indefinite
" suspended by President Ban B. John
son Of the American League. Also, Il
wa, WaS reported that the, Cleveland club
had taken the unusual action OF per
sOnally requesting the league president
10 punish the player severely.
O'Loughlin Started Trouble.
Delehanty claims he was first called
a vile name by O'Loughlin because he
laughed loudly at what he considered q
bum decision. When O'Loughlin loos-
ened up. Delehanty says he cut loose
and said all he knew, but he denies il
was loud enough to be heard by the
fans, or to be offensive beyond the or
binary rough-hOuse bauinage between
player and arbitrator He adds that
O'LOughlin offered TO fight him, then
refused. Eeiehanty's version was die
tated in the office OF President Tom
Noyes, OF the Washington club. to
whom he told his troubles yesterday
afternoon. and viii be forwarded to
Ban Johnson.
Delehanty states the Cleveland news
papers were prejudiced against. Wash
ington because Of the severe setback
their club got here on its last trip.
and further, that Lajoie and the other
Cleveland players are prejudiced against
him personally because OF the trouble
between his brother, Frank Delehantv.
and Lajoie last year. which resulted
IN Frank suing the Cleveland manage
ment for his back salary and in sub
sequently being relegated 10 the South
ern League, whence he went to the
New York Americans. where he now is
The Delehanty-Lajoie feud really goes
back 10 the days when Ed Delehanty.
one Of the greatest natural batters
the game has ever known, waged an
annual duel with Lajoie for the premier
hOnors with the stick
Killifer Not Bought
Speaking Of sales and rumors Of sales.
the Washington club did not buy Kill
lifer, the Texas League catcher, as was
reported. The deal fell through at the
last moment. and Manager CantiIlon
still has scouts out for one or two
classv vomng hackstnns to take the