Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-09
dolly" GRAY, COASTS CRACK PITCHER,
PURCHASED FROM THE LOS ANGELES CLUB
Management Not Discouraged by Nationals ShowingS Try
ing Strengthen Local Team-Gray Better Than Burns.
Are Cleveland Scribes Trying Get Even With
Frank Delehanty Through Jim?-The Local
Amateur Championships---Betting Ball
Games Should Be Prohibited

are to the effect that silks" honesty was
questioned, and this hurt more than the
profanity.
AS to the incentive for the action Of the
Cleveland papers against Delehanty there
is undoubtedly some soreness in the Forest
city at Frank Delehanty for deserving the
Maps" At the time Frank made the
assertion that he would sooner play with
minor league aggregation than under
LajOie. There was a great hubbub raised
when Frank quit the Maps and con-
siderable adverse criticism when the New
York Highlanders secured him from the
New Orleans club after he had been sus-
pended by the Southern League for an
attack on one Of its umpires.
Frank Delehanty is with the New Yorks
at present. and. being under the strong
protection of Frank Farrell, the Cleveland
papers cannot reach him. The question Is
Have the sporting writer's of the Forest
city turned on Jim at this time 30 as to
get even with Frank?
Jim has filed a petition for hearing
with President johnson. and insists that
there is no reason why he should be pun
ished to any greater extent than has
been meted out to offenders along the
same lines. He insists that Trainer
Payne and Charles SommerS of the Cleve-
land club told him that he had done
nothing extraordinary, but that the con-
certed attacks Of the Cleveland papers
have raised up a mountain where only a
sandhill should be.
President Johnson has made 1t point
to support his umpires through thick and
thin and uphill and down, and although
this course appears unjust at times. it has
certainly led to great ultimate good.
OLoughlin's work this season has been
far below the standard on account of ILL
ness. and when the American League 8
president goes over all the papers in the
case the chances are that he will give
Delehanty the benefit Of the doubt and
nc ~ ,Inpr i~or vrvftI ttpn
Washington club. The lesson will do
Delehanty lots of good and doubtless
Brighten others who have made 1t a habit
to lose their tempers on the ball field and
then take it out on the luckless umpire.
Local Amateur Championship.
The local amateur. baseball season is
slowly drawing to a close and it has been
a memorable one. Every one Of the eight
leagues has furnished exceptionally
clean and interesting sport. and the fol-
lowers OF each body are looking forward
to post-season series between the PEN
nant winners Of each organization. There
Is no good reason why these eight clubs
shouldn't play for the championship of
the District of Columbia. and contests for
this honor would certainly create unusual
interest. Opposition to this scheme has
sprung up, the claim being put forward
that several Of the leagues are SO much
weaker than others that no contests
worthy of the name would be Forthcoming
In post-season series. and also that eight
clubs are unwieldy. One fact should never
be lost sight of. and that is that base ball
does not depend upon age or physical size
for it's best opponents. Each league has
it's following and supporters and they are
enthusiastic over the chances its best club
would have against the pennant winner of
another league. Several of the winners
may be light and Of tender age. but from
the class Of ball we have seen played by
the different leading teams. there is little
to choose between them. and a first-class
pitcher will make the most ordinary team
look strong. Remember the Warrington
club defeated the Chicagos twice in one
day when the White Sox were at their
best. The Treasury, Columbia or Ma