Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-14
THE DIAMOND FIRING THE EARLY GUNS Every League is Now as Busy as a Hive of Bees in Summer
 Time.

George Davis, the veteran member of the Chicago White Sox, who is spending the winter in New York, as usual, said recently that he expected to play second base for Comiskey's team this year instead of shortstop. Parent, who was with the Boston American team last year, will prob- ably play at short tield," said Davis, flor he is at home in that position. Lee Tannehill will cover third base and I will be moved over to second. With Jiggs Donohue on first base the Sox will have a pretty fast infield. It makes no difference to me what posi- tion play in the infield, for each is easy for me. I've played third base, also first base, second and shortstop, together with the outfield, and l never had any trouble in making good. My arm was better than ever last year, so that even df should be stationed at third base in the event of Isbelps re- turn to second, would feel perfectly at home." Davis has been in the big leagues since 1890, yet he is as fast on his feet and as skilful with the bat as ever. He is a stickler for physical condition and never dissipates. ISe has been keeping down to weight all winter by taking long walks on the roads, bundled up in sweaters and &C., companied by big bulldog.
 It turns out that the St Louis Am orleans paid only $2,0O0 forthe release of Rube Waddell. President Nayin of the Detroit club says that he could have secured Waddell for less than that sum, but. did not want him at any price. Waddell has shocked his new employer with the request of a paltry $50 in advance money and a promise to keep on the water wagon for at least this year. WaddelPs wife has just brought a suit against him for absolute divorce. When the Rube was served with papers he made the remark: T hope she gets it before spring practice begins, because I don't want to be worried then"
 Hitherto Taylor of the New York Nationals has been the only deaf mute pitcher in the baseball profession. But now comes the news that the oshkosh club of the Wisconsin league has signed a deaf mute twirler named Charles Grail, who has been doing ex- cellent work with the semi-profes- sional teams in and around St Louis. Grail is only youngster and his friends say that some of these days he will be wanted by one of the major league managers.
 Napoleon Lajoie, manager of the Clevelands, announces that twenty five men will go south next month. In this bnuch are nine pitchers and four catchers. The players are La Joie, Stovall, Daubert, Turner, Brad icy, Perrine, Mill, Hinchman, Hick- man, Birmingham, J. Clarke, Flick, Joss, Friedman, Berger, LieDhardt, Rhoades, Hess, Clarkson, Lattimore, Check. Bemis, N. Clarke, Davidson and Joe Wilson. Lajoie has just sold Catcher Wakefield to minor league club and has also decided to turn loose Harry Bay. If the Clevelands do not win the American league pennant this year it is probable that Forest City fans and critics will clamor for new manager to succeed Lajoie.
 Jack Thoney, purchased from the Toronto club by tue Boston Americans gives a novel reason for not wanting to join the Red Sox. He says that he made' such a success last year as q minor league player that he prefers to remain in that sort of company. Thoney points to the fact that he did not come up to the mark when tried out by the New York Americans two years ago and declares that he would fall down again in a major league team. Thoney played remarkable ball in the Eastern league last year and good judges said he would have no trouble in keeping pace with the cracks in the American league this season. Perhaps an increase in the salary offered to Thoney by the Boston club might fill him with sudden con- fidence in his ability to make good in modern Athens.
 William Hegeman, known as the father of baseball in eastern New York, died Tuesday at his home in Troy. When baseball was in it's in- fancy he organized a team and for a number of years was successful players. Later he played on the ori- ginal Haymakers. He was s1 years of age. He was the father of Mrs Rich ard Mansfield, widow of the actor.