The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-12-17
AM { RI CAN LEAGUE
MAGNATES ARE
HOME AGAIN
Leave National League Brethren
To Thresh Out Their Annual
Row and Grab Rattlers
for West.
Browns Pulled Of an Excellent Deal
by Swapping Criger for Lake and
Demmitt, Of New York.
BY PAUL h. eRUSkE.

Leaving the National leaguers to
fight out their battle for the presi-
dency. the gentlemen who are be-
York yesterday for their homes. hay
ing Transacted their business in the
enthusiastically effective old John
sonian way. In general way the
magnates OF Bans circuit had nothing
but routine matters set before them
In fact, there is seldom anything but
routine business considered by the
American league. It's affairs are so
harmonious and It's interests so Oh.
vious that there has rarely been a
case In which any intelligent base
ball man could not predict TO do.
exactly what action would be taken
and that action is always unanimous
The lone exception TO this rule was
this year. the action taken in con.
nection with the alleged consider
alton OF George Stallngs tipping bu.
reau. That such an AFFAIR was in &C
tive operation last season II unques
tionably true. The one matter in
doubt was whether the league would
be able 10 make scapegoat OF Man
ager Stallings and. al the same time.
protect the popular President Farrell
OF the New York club
Farrell Pleads For Stallings
Farrell insisted that TO fire Stall.
ings would iniure his club. That was
enough for his pals who owned the
other clubs The league went on rec
ord 10 the effect that the New York
club was innocent, but warned gen
orally against a repetition Of the
breach OF peace.
Other prominent action taken AT the
meeting included the establishment OF
the leagues schedule at 1874 games in
1910 and a Arm stand in favor OF the
spike as the only method of ensuring
the safety OF the players. The pro
longation OF the leagues pact for 20
years emphasized the general air OF
satisfaction which pervaded the meet
ing.
Two important player deals featur
ed the gathering Of the magnates. One
OF these was the sale OF Kid Elberfeld
by New York 10 Washington. Elber-
field is about through, in all probable
ity His reckless method OF blocking
of base runners has resulted in so
many serious injuries that his legs are
in sad condition and il would be
desperate manager who would be
forced TO put his trust in the game
little fellow az a regular short stop.
Elberfeld will be used by McAleer az
washington as a third-baseman. This
position should not be so hard for him
as short stop. though he showed
lamentable weakness al the third
corner last year, particularly in touch
ting base runners In one respect,
however. Elberfeld should greatly
strengthen the Washington club. inns
is his ability to hit the left-handed
pitchers.
Good Trade For Browns.
The most important deal OF the
meeting was unquestionably the uade
OF Outfielder Demmitt and pitcher
Lake OF New York. for Catcher Crlser
OF 81 Louis. This was swap III
which Jack OConnor or the Browns
pot a valuation OF about three Tor one.
Demmitt Is an exceedingly fast man
and will give the Browns genuine
base runner. He Ia also able 10 play
the infleld with ability and Is a me
utility man. Lake is pitcher win
a splitter. Against some OF the Amen-
can league teams he has been yer!
effective.
Criger was very passe during the
season OF 1909 and the Browns VIII,
niss him but little. In Stephens anu
KVUfer. O'Connor has a pair OF young
backstops who can hold the runners
on the sacks and coach their pitchers
very acceptably. II necessary, o!u
lack can take turn or two oehlnu
the bat himself, in addition 10 de'
yeloping his young battery memoers,
President Navin OF the Tigers heiu
several conferences with Mahagsr
Jennings over the best method OF u's
nosal of the Tiger kits who Will not
ha taken south. There were offers
Galore from the Glass A league man
ayers in attendance, but the only SAFE
announced as yet was that OF pitcher
LATTE 10 Rochester.