Evening star., 1909-04-15
AMERICAN LEAGUES
PRESIDENT IN TOWN
Ban Johnson Has a Nice Gl0at
Over the Big
Openings.

president of the American League. ar
rived in Washington late last night,
and will remain here for several days.
He has been over at Philadelphia
watching the Inauguration of Shibe
Park. the Athletics new home, and Is
naturally pleased over the splendid
start there last Monday, and also in
this city. He said:
Mondays outpouring in Philade!-
phia demonstrated that this season will
be the banner one of base ball, some
thing / have already predicted. Shibe
Park is a grand home for base ball.
and before. many years have gone by
every club in the American League will
have a similar park The big crowd was
handled very easily and everybody in
side the Enclosure got a good view of
the game.
The opening here in Washington
was also very gratifying, while the good
crowds that turned out yesterday at St
louis and Detroit give onehalf Of the
American League a fine start. Boston,
New York. Cleveland and Chicago are
yet to have their openings, and when
the eight attendances are counted up
they will probably be found to be the
largest on record
Mr.. Johnson was asked about the
DeIehanty situation in Cleveland. but
had nothing to say of a definite ns-
ture. The chances are big that Del will
be given permission to play in Cleve
land by the time the Washington club
reaches there. as every magnate In the
American League has agreed to 1t. and
IT only remains for President John son
to issue the proclamation lifting the
ban against the Washington second
baseman.
Manager Cantillon and his players lost
little time getting out to American
League Park this morning. The bright
sunshine put new life into the players.
and they went through an hours hard
practice as IL they enjoyed 1t. Mr.. Can
tillon said he would work Bob Groom
this afternoon, and the. tall Californian
lookSto be In prime shape for the battle.
Several, of the New York players join
ed wfthSthe Nationals in practice this
morning which demonstrates that Man
ager Stallings has instilled the right
spirit into his men.
Manager Stallngs said at noon that he
would probably work Quinn this after
noon, with the other men In the same
positions they occupied in Tuesdays
game.
Tomorrow the Boston Red Sox open a
series of four games with the Nationals,
and the sport should be Of the very best.
Manager Cantilion has kept his left
handed pitchers in pickle for Taylor's
crews and Manager Lake will doubtless
push forward his best pitchers to Offset
tie stars ofsthe- local team. Bill Burns
vall more than likely pitch tine opening
game. then Dolly Gray will take care
ofsthe. second. with Jesse TannehiH on
Schedule up to Tuesday. and Mr.. William
Burns will be about ready to once more
face the Red Sox. The outlook or dope
is very promising for the Washington
team.
Norman Elberfeld has been playing
great ball for the Highanders this spring.
and the fact that the local newspapers
have intimated that he would look very
nice in a National uniform has stirred
up the correspondent of the New York
Journal who is travelling with the club.
Last night he sent the following to his
paper. which makes good reading. al
though there is little foundation whereon
10 work up any excitement:
Norman Elberfeld will finish his base
ball career with the New York American
League club. He will BE retained by the
club. TO which he is under contract. until
his usefulness on the diamond is past.
There is not the slightest possibility of
his going elsewhere, rulnors to the con-
trary notwithstanding Big Chief Stall
ings has spoken on the matter. He says
the hlu euChS. anu lUdt EVSc-
When no more promising copy developes
some writers, continually harp back to
the subject of Elberfeld severing his con-
nection With the New York American
lionth time been played up within the
past few days. IT so annoyed Gtallinss
that he today gave vent to his sentiments
or the subject. He said
'Elberfeld has no chance TO get away
from New York 1 do not think he wishes
to. II he does. he will be badly fooled
He will play with New York or nowhere
IN organized base ball. Wouldn't sell him
for 10000. and no club would give that
much He is a grand base ball player.
reason. He has assured me that he would
give his best services. He Is doing It,.
When he fails to do So II will be time to
talk,
But think 1t time for Elberfeld and
the public to know that New York will
stand no foolishness. I don't know
whether any one Is trfiing with Elberfeld.
II so. he is barking up the wrong tree.
any club the satisfaction OF successfully
tampering with one of my players. Ell
berfeld will NOT BE SOLD OR
The story Of detection was due to the
fact that the Tabasco Kid has moved his
family from Lynchburg. Va. to this city
As far as that goes. the Kid moves about
as frequently as migratory birds. Eiber-
captaincy Of the club. II is true. He ex-
pressed himself promiscuously on the
subject. But Stallings at that time took
him TO task and handled him without kid
gloves.
He told Elberfeld just where he stood
that when he got through with New
York or when New York got through
with him he would be down and out, as
far as base ball was concerned. The Kid
isn't an imbe cile. He got hep" all right.
He has been playing the best he knows
how all year, and everybody may gamble
he will continue to do so. When 1t comes
to an argument Stallings generally wins.
This is one instance where he has an ace
In the hole before the argument starts.
Manager George Staliings received a
telegram from Hal Chase last night re-
auesting the big chief to ship some base
balls to the pesthouse at Augusta, Ga.
The first sacker wires that he feels fit to
return to the game almost Immediately
The telegram was the first direct commu-
nication from Chase that Stallings has
received. DR.. Morgan. however, keeps
the manager posted from day to day or
hts patients condition. Chase will be
discharged from the hospital week from
next Monday. Stallings is hopeful tina,
ba NAV have his star back in the game