The San Francisco call., 1908-07-21
Putting New Life in
State League
Management Begins the Work Of
Strengthening the Tail
End Clubs

Realizing that to successfully COM.
pete with the coast league in tho
threatened invasion of it's territory the
decided that the tail end clubs OF tha
league must be strengthened and front
this time on, by a gradual process OF
elimination the weaker members Of tho
Oakland. San Francisco and Alameda
teams will be dropped, their places be-
ing filled with higher priced and better
players. While this action has BEEN
long discussed not until last Saturday
was the first step taken. At Saturdays
game five new faces appeared in thu
Oakland lineup. They were MensOrs
Conway Moran, SeatOn and Bliss. MenS
sor was in left field to take the placd
of Hester who hereafter will lOOh
after second base. Conway, a new man
in center field, secured a beautiful hn4
drive out of four times at bat MOrans
who is not unknown as an OaklanderS
played third in the position vacated
last week by Josh" Reilly. SeatOn ia
pitcher. He almost won his gamet
which was against Stockton, leaders OF
the league. With better luck and thu
same class of work he will win nexa
time. Bliss has been with the OakS
landers since the first OF the season.
He is a brother Of Jack Bliss, who
caught last year IN the coast league
and filed that position for his team
until the signing of Esola, when hd
was benched- He is a good hitter and
will be used in the right garden. OtheH
shifts Of the old players make the reS
juvenated Oaks as fast as any in the
league, and when the jinks that has
been on Ii all through the season has
been shaken Oakland bids to pick up in
the league race. President Walter is
considering still further changes. but is
not yet ready to announce them. Tha
San Francisco aggregation will be thu
next attended to-
Tub Hackett, as the result Of his bad teuta
per In striking Umpire Mccarthy a week ago.
Is still out OF the game. and It now appears
TO be a little doubtful whether he will eveE
again play for stockton. Part OF Hackett's pun
ishment was 10 davs ON the bench which fims
will expire Wednesday. Hackett is reported to
have been very sore when the decision OF the
league management in his case was read to
him. and this. coupled with offer he Is re-
ported TO have received from the Northwest
league, may cause him to sever his connection
with the Stockton club. Palm, who Is hlling his
place behind the bat for the Millers. is doing
not be so soreIy missed. In saturdays game
the substitute catcher hit safely three times in
four at bat In his two last games he allowed
but one stolen base.
Chief Esola who Is being counted ON td
raise Oakland to the standard OF real bases
ball team, is likely TO throw up his position
at time. ESOla, VINO was policeman on the
San Francisco force at the time Of his entering
professional baseball ranks. Is trying TO be rein-
stated the force His petition was heard bH
the police commissioners last week and his fats
Is now in the hands OF the city attorney
Even should the commissioners refuse to relns
state him the Chief likely will f0rego the
credits he otherwise would have obtained ana
take the civil service tests for a new appOint4
ment. The examinations to be held earlH
next month, and should Esola be forced to the
latter necessity be will be able almost to comb
plete the season with the Oakland team befOra
his appointment.
Pitcher Elmer Stricklett OF the San lose tean8
is claiming record for freak playing.
In Saturdays game at Alameda Stricklett II
credited with 13 assists. This BY a pitcher ID
considerably out OF the ordinary. The recorda
OF assisted put outs Is OneNlikely TO give ris4
to much dispute. but 13 for slabster Is cons
ceded to eclipse anything that has ever gonA
before. Elmer handled all 13 chances without
once making a bungle.
Herzog utility man for the New York Giants
may be seen playing ball on the coast In tha
near future. Peculiar II may seem. Fresnd
wants a man OF HerzOg's ability and Is willing
TO pay for him. Communication between Dlayea
and club were made last week. Herzog asked
were afraid even to name IL IN public. A deh%
awaited. HerzOg recently quarreled with No
TO aid them IN getting its man.