The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-07
SALE IS CONFIRMED.
Now Topeka Is Really in the Western
League.

The sale of the Topeka and Wichita
teams of the Western Association to
the western League was formally an
nounced to the baseball world this
week, by ]. H. Farrell. secretary of the
National Association of Minor leagues,
an his regular weekly bulletin.
RMS Is the last step in making To-
peka member of the higher circuit,
for which the local fans have been
clamoring for the past two or three
seasons. And from this time, indefin-
ttely, 1t will be the Topeka baseball
team of the Western League.
1t is now up to Dick Cooley of the
Topeka team, to give the town a win
ner in the Western League. And he
says he will. Dick has told this same
vious occasions and each time he has
made good his word. And it is safe to
say that he will again do the best to
redeem his promise.
But Dick has a far greater task
ahead of him for 1909. His Western
Association team of 1908 is all shot to
pieces by sales and drafts and to get
a winner in a class circuit is no
small task.
The only department that is well
protected for the coming season is the
backstop department. Cooley will have
Tom Doran. the best catcher in the
Western Association team for this sea-
son. Doran played with Wichita
Nnlle last season out OWING TO d TOW
with Holland was released. He is a
former major Lacquer, having played
with Boston for several years. He was
also member of the Detroit team,
with Cooley, the last season that Dick
played ball in the majors. Brennan
will also likely be a member of the
Western League team. Brennan is
conner and will do to work when Doran
needs rest.
In the pitching department, Cooley
has nothing very certain yet. He has
his strings out for a couple of south
paws who will undoubtedly be fast
enough for a class A team. Then
there is a pretty good chance of get
ting Selby back from Louisville. Selby
won 20 out of 25 games for Cooley last
season, and ought to make good in
the Western League.
So far Cooley himself is the only in
fielder. Dick will play first base for
the Topeka and is plenty fast enough
for a class A team as was shown by
his record at Louisville season before
last. Sylvester Olson will be given a
trial at short at second base. but his
hitting is hardly of Western League
callbre. Cooley may be able to get EN-
DRY Olson back from Louisville. but the
chances are that the little Swede Will
more than make good.
Cooley has no outfielder under re-
serve fast enough for the Western ,
League, but will undoubtedly be able
to get his hands on some one IN the
near future.
Several players are under reserve
who are not fast enough for the West
ern League. but who can be used in
advantage in making trades and some
higher class players secured.
Cooley's acquaintance and friendship
with the big league managers will help
him materially in securing new play
ers He is working hard but isn't
saying much and doesn't appear to be
the least bit worried.
An interesting series of ante-season
games will be arranged. The Detroit
Tigers, champions of the American
League have been secured for Satur
day and Sunday. April 3 and 4. The
Washington, St. Louis and Chicago
teams will also be secured. 4
One nice bit of news for the local
fans is that the price of admission to
the park in the higher circuit remains
the same. Twenty-Five cents will be
charged for general admission, while
the grandstand will be 25 cents every
day.
Assurance is given by Manager Cool !
ey that the fans will have fast team
to root for next season, and announce
ments of the signing of prominent
players can be expected at intervals |
the alternating season.