Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-01

ST. LOUIS, Mo, February Ito all
appearances Charley Comiskey has some
intention Of trading his two White SoA
stars, Frank Smith and "Jiggs' Donohue-
Owner r. l.. Hedges of the Browns be-
lieves the Chicago magnate is looking for
q deal, and the local leader will make
every effort from now until time to begin
practice for the next championship race
to land those stars for the st. LOUIS
Browns
If Pitcher Smith and First Basemar:
Donohue could be secured without giving
up George Stone. Hedges would be Willing
TO talk seriously of trade with Comls-
key. But knowing Comiskey as he does,
Mr.. Hedges is none too sure that he can
even interest him in a deal.
Donohue and Smith could make the
Browns champions next season. "J1ggs
is one first baseman in twenty. lie is the
hest in the league, with the exception OF
Hal Chase. and were he added to the
Browns, st. Louis could well boast OIL
the strongest infield in the business today.
Then add Frank Smith to the St LOUIS
pitching staff and there would be none
better in the American League. If there
were a weakness on the team then, IL
would be in the outfield. and If Holman
Heidrick should round into form 10
work along with Stone and SchWeItzer.
the Browns would be of championship
caliber from bat boy to manager.
Comiskey Cunning.
Comiskey is down in the south on a
fishing and hunting trip at the present
time, and nothing definite can be learned
of the proposed deal until he returns TO
Chicago. The question seems to be: Does
he want to trade?
In the December meeting Of the league
NT.to lie
Owner Hedges of the Browns pestered
..Commy" every minute in their efforts to
secure Pitcher Smith. The Ola roman
finally turned them down. but still they
kept after him. Just before the meeting
broke UP, Comiskey told McAleer he
would take the matter up with tlelder
Jones. Now it seems Jones has 1uiIy DE,
cided to quit the game next summer, ana
30 it is probable Comiskey has not even
talked to him of the trade.
PLAYERS such as Smith and Donohue are
not to be secured for song. Chicago
fans believe it would not be asking too
much to seek Stone, Howell and Sid
Smith for the two SoX stars. Hedges
would never consent to such deal, 1or
he would feel that it had prohted him
nothing.
The players cannot be secured for cash
because Comiskey has plenty of that now
and is ready to spend it for players II
such were possible. The only chance the
Browns have of securing these Two play
erS is, in fact, that both are In Ill repute
with Comiskey He might trade them
to preserve harmony on the White Son
club.
Smith a Misfit.
Frank Smith has never fitted in will
the other players of that team. He has
uuarreled with Fielder Jones and Catcher
Sullivan The latter is likely to be made
manager of the team if Jones doesn't
come back. "Sully' wouldn't care to have
Smith around if he could get rid of him
Donohue had a spat with Jones last sum
mer and was angered because he was
kept on the bench while old Frank lsbel
was active on first base day after day
Jones kept "Jiggs'' out of the game be-
cause he was not hitting well at the time
while Isbell was cloutinS close to stht
900 mark.
This dissension on the club caused by
the feeting of these two players might
induce Comiskey to let them go. though
lie doesn't believe in that method of dis
cipine- ;H 49, ~ -
McAleer could well afford to give ur
a young pitcher or two, one outfielder
a young catcher and toss old Tom Jones
into the deal also, if Comiskey WOULD
agree to let Smith and Donohue come
here If the Chicago maSnate would
agree to take Graham, Sid Smith. Char
lev Jones and Tom Jones for his pair OF
stars il would be an excellent deal fol
the Browns. There are several other
deals that would be acceptable, but Nc
Aleer could hardly afford to let his chic
batter and best outfielder figure in the
trade, as at present it seems the Brown!
will find their most serious trouble II
next summers fight IN keeping up q
capable outfield.