The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-15
The Kansas SunfIOWGr Given Unconditional Release
 Yesterday EFFORTS ID PLACE HIM MEET WITH NO SUCCESS
Ables Returns To Dallas and Robinson Is Earned at Jackson-Houtz Also Turned Adrift-Holmes
 Suspended.
BY BILL AK.

Arthur Ragan, familiarly known as Rip, and jocosely referred to as the roaring ripping Rip" the Kansas Sunhower" and the Kansas Tornado" has mounted for the last time tho hurling hill of the Barons, and had heard three strikes called on his South ern career.
 The Birmingham Baseball association yesterday morning gave the old favor ite his unconditional release. No clubs in the league refused to waive. and earnest efforts to place the old favor ite having failed, there was nothing to do but turn him upon the cold, cold world like a warhorse too old for active service, or a good old wagon broken down.
 Ragan came to Birmingham in 1905 from the Texas league. He immediate ly made good, and in 1906. the year m which Birmingham won the pennant O. the Southern league, indisputabiy starred. In that glorious year, he lost eight games. and landed 20 on the proper side of the slate.
 Last year. Ragan did very ineffee- tive work. He has lost his knack. This was probably due to a physical break down. This year, his physical con- dition has not been at all good, and the local association, realizing his trouble, feared to carry him as sea- son proposition.
 Ragan has pitched no full game for Birmingham this year. The released twirler has no enemy. He is popular with the people, and everyone regrets his departure. Everyone remembers most kindly his past valiant services Everyone remembers the many laugha- ble incidents in which he has figured Everybody remembers the hard fought battles that he has won. Everybody remembers the only two base hit that Ragan made in the Southern league. Everybody remembers the day Ma thews, in throwing to second. struck Ragan on the head, and how Rip, moment later. when Matthews keeled over from the effects of foul tip, smiled broadly.
 It is like the tearing down of an old building a land mark, as it were. this departure of Rip Ragan. But let no one believe that there is not many a victory pent up in the old twirler's arm. He would make valuable man in the Cottons. He would star in the South Atlantic, and 1t is altogether certain but that if some Southern league club picked him up he would swamp the Barons.
 The axe that beh eaded Ragan was not satisfied with his slaughter. lt also fell athwart the neck of Fred Houtz, Harry Ables and young Mccain Robinson, who pitched and won the last game of the recent Birmingham- Montgomery series. Ables secured a berth with the Dallas club of the Tex as league, and left Birmingham yes i, terday morning. Robinson is placed with Jackson in the Cotton States league, but there is a stout string at tached to him, and Manager Vaughn reserves the right of recalling him whenever he sees fit. There is not more promising young twirler in Dixie than Mack Robinson, and Harry Ables, despite his boyishness and indiscreer actions and manners is man of cer- tain ability.
 Houtz was waived by every club, and he has no berth as yet, although he will probably land in the Cotton States. He is a fine outfielder, usually a good hitter, and a daring man on the paths.
 Catcher Holmes, who is out of con dition, has been suspended.
 Concerning all the above Judge Kavanaugh was notified yesterday.