Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-13
SPORTING COMMENT.
BY ]. ED GRILLO.

Not unless the magnates of the Amer
lean Association have found some one
willing to put up lot of money is
there much danger of an invasion of
major league territory next season
There may be room for another major
league. but it will not be launched
without a desperate fight, for the two
leagues which now have the best ter
ritory to themselves are not going
to stand for opposition if it can be
prevented.
Pittsburg and Cincinnati would un-
doubtedly support two ball clubs, but
it will not be an easy matter to break
into either place.
What is more. the proposed new
league could not expect to furnish as
high a grade of base ball as either
of its rivals. The players are not to
be had Here and there player might
take a chance with the new OrganiZa-
ton. but most of them would stand
by their old leagues. especially ii there
were financial inducements TO do so,
which, of course, would be forthcom-
ing. Conditions are quite different
now from what they were when the
American League broke into the field.
Any new league would now ma TWO
strong opponents instead of one weak
one such as was the National League
when the American began its invasion.
Just now the two greatest stars of
base ball are said to be disgruntled with
their lot in life. Ty Cobb is said to have
resented a call from his manager, while
Hans Wagner is accused of playing in
different ball because he has tired OF
the game.
The chances are that there is little
foundation for either report. Wagner I'M
doubtedly has not been going along at
the clip he set in the former season ana
this fact has been instrumental in keep
ing the Pirates down in the race But
there is no reason for believing that ne
is Intentionally Sinking his duty. .Wag-
ner is not that kind, and while he may
be in the throes of slump. it is safe to
say that he is always trying his best.
AS for Cobb. he no doubt is just like
every other member of the Detroit team
irritable and sore because of the Tigers
failure to win. When a ball team has for
three successive years shared in the re-
ceipts of the worlds series. and then
suddenly finds that plum slipping from
its grasp. il is going to have some sort
of an effect on the players. Cobb Is no
different from any of the others, and II
In because of this condition, which al
ways makes itself prevalent when win
ner is turned into "a loser. that the Tigers
chances must be considered slim IN the
present campaign.
Under existing conditions in base bal
every club must have a scout or two &c
look over the material in the minor
leagues in the hope of gathering some
promising youngsters. The club must
have confidence in the Judgment OF the
men employed to do this work. and yet II
seems strange that the managers OF
teams do rot devote more OF their time
looking over young players than trying
to make the old ones win ball games.
Take the local case for instance. Thou
sands of dollars have already been spent
IN purchasing ball players from minor
leagues. McAleer has not seen single
~ y1ln a
them until they report. and then he may
he disappointed because his idea of a bal
player may not be anything like that Of
the men who have made the selection.
The man who is held responsible for Z
ball teams showing should also assume
the responsibility of building IL up !