Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-21
WHY CR|GER LEFT
THE BOSTON TEAM
Real Story of the Trouble Be-
tween Lou and Boss
Taylor.

HOUSTON. March 19.-Lou Criger is
probably the most contented man In camp,
though, be 1t known, the entire squad is
about as happy a lot of men as has ever
been assembled together. The new
catcher has his wife and little son with
him and Is one continual round OF smiles.
He is popular with all, and has undertake
en- the task that is expected of him with a
vim and vigor that bodies I'll for the other
candidates for this years American
League pennant.
In the most important branch of base
ball the Browns have strengthened.
whereas its two most formidable rivals
can be said to be weaker In developing
young pitchers there is hardly a man in
a class with the Elkhart receiver. and IS
an inside MIN he is the best in the bust
ness.
As sample of the results he produces
with young pitc.. ers II is conceded that
he Developed the Boston pitching staff.
ard 20 get verification of this one must
only hear the praise bestowed upon him
by those that have had the benefit OF his
tea chings Jake Thielman when passing
through st. Louis recently, picked the
Browns to win the pennant and gave as
his reason the strength that Criger would
add.
Criger "Calls' Taylor.
1t seems that the bottom of the whole
Criger matter was a petty difference
which the catcher had with Taylor, own
err of the Boston team. a man who is hard
to get along with. During the last sum-
mer Criger had noticed that several little
annoyances had been thrust In his way
and made mention Of It. Young and Crl-
ger went to Taylor late in the season and
Lou asked Taylor IF he had anything
against him?" Taylor answered mo"
Criger said:
II am pleased to hear this, as I like
Boston,"
Taylor said everything was satisfactory
and he had no idea OF letting Lou go. as
he appreciated the fact that the catcher
had been the means Of making valr able
material Of Steele, Burchell, Cicotte. Arel-
lanes and Wood. and the value OF this
stan would depreciate many fold were
Lou an absentee.
The GOODNESS failed to disappear. though
and again Criger and Young went to the
owner with their grievance and Leu want
ed an understanding. Taylor hemmed and
hawed. and finally said:
I gave you $500 to make a trip to Colo
RADIO for your health. and you failed to
do this. so that Is what I have against
YOU"
Lou Thoroughly Cured.
In explanation Criger stated that he had
gone to a health resort in southern IL
linois, and also to st. Louis to go under
Doctors care, and had not only spent the
spO that the Boston owner had advanced.
but had expended several hundred dollars
Of his own and had effected q cure: fur
thermore. he gave the Boston club the
best he had in stock
Young at the time stated that II Criger
was to go he wanted to go also. and de-
Rr}c HE with (sriRef.
Last fall during the final Cleveland
game, President Hedges said that lack
of brains behind the bat was the reason
the Browns failed to win the pennant
and that next season he would have tho
best catcher in the American League
Further questioning failed to bring any
more light on the subject. the impression
being that either Criger or Sullivan was
to be a member Of the 1909 Browns. Dur
ing the worlds championship series In
Chicago President Comisky was approach
ed and the question asked:
IF an offer had been made by the st.
Louis management for Sullivan"
The "Old Roman" answered In the neg
alive SO 1t can be seen that Criger was
Brown probability as early as Septem-
ber 1908.
Taylor Throws Young Down.
Another matter which Criger has In his
heart against champagne Charley" Tay-
Tor is that he led the Boston public to
belieye that he and Young were anxious
to leave Boston. Lou says this was far
from the case, as he was a favorite with
the Boston public.
Still another sore spot was the treat
ment accorded Young. Both were prom
ised that If any trade was made the bat
terry would stay intact McAleer under
stood that this was the status of the case
when the last league meeting was held,
and accordingly went to Taylor with a
munificent bid for the veteran pitchers
services. Taylor seemed to think favor
ably OF the matter. What happened in
the meantime, when Somers e. Co. cajoled
Taylor into parting with Young. is an
client history. Down at the bottom of the
whole trouble is matter of paltry
500 which Taylor has allowed to stand
in the way of upbuilding promising ball