Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-02
SPORTING COMMENT.
BY J. ED GRILLO.

When Jeffries beat Bob Fitzsimmons for
the championship at Coney Island in 1899
the story was started that Fitz had been
doped and to this day Fitz has never
denied the tale, though it is just as abb
surd as the story sprung in connection
with Jeffries defeat at the hands of Jack
Johnson. But Jeffries is not allowing
that story to go the rounds. He has
denied it, adds that he was beaten fairly
though he was far from being right, and
that he never made any statement to lead
20 the belief that he had been tampcred
with. By so doing Jeffries gives john
son full credit for his victory as he
should. If there was anything wrong in
Jeffries' camp it was in that according
to rumor most of his attendants and adj
visers hedged their bets at the last mo-
ment. and by SO doing quit much to the
good.
1t was apparent to them the morning of
the fight that Jeffries did not have a
chance and they bet their money accord
ingly. These tare the stories that are
floating around and no doubt they are
true.
Bill Bradley. who only few years ago
was undoubtedly one of the greatest in
fielders in the game. like. many great
players before him has lost his batting
eye. From one of the hardest hitters
the game had ever produced Bill has de-
Perforated into a weakling with the stick.
Eight years ago Bill Bradley could have
named his own figure to play ball. 1t
was during the war between the two ma
jor leagues that Bill showed his loyalty
to the American League.
Bradley was offered $4,000 to play ball
with the Cincinnati National League team
for three years. The contract rendered
him made it compulsory to pay the money
to Bradley or his heirs if he died or was
incapacitated. Furthermore. one years
salary was TO be paid down in cash
Bradley turned that offer down. He
signed for much less with the American
League. as did many players in those
days thus making the success of the
American League possible. But Bradley
seems to have worn out his usefulness in
the American League, and he must go
to the minors or quit
Bobby Wallace of the Browns is an
other player who had he jumped the
American League during the war could
have added considerably to his Golfers
Wallace was undoubtedly the most
sought after player in the league. He
and his contract was drawn up along the
same lines as the one rendered Bradley
and vet Wallace refused.
1t was because the players were sore on
the National League and because they be-
lieved that their salvation depended on
the American that the new league got a
foothold and eventually operated on the
same footing with the old organization.
Base ball has been injured by the talk
of syndicate base ball. The purchase of
the Philadelphia club last yea by Char ey
Murphy has not helped the game in that
city. This was shown the other day when
Pitcher FOxen of the Phillies was traded
to the Cubs for a youngster named
LuderuS
Now the chances are that the deal was
absolutely legitimate and yet the fact that
the deal was made between the two clubs
Sad n no pyoe m
titled the stories were started that FoXen
was turned over to the Cubs to help chem
clinch the penn6nt. On his performance
with the Phillies Foxen would not help
any team to go up in the race. He may
of course be different proposition, but
on what he has accomplished no one
would pick him to help team win a flag
The chances are that Manager Chance
wants him for emergencies only and will
work him but seldom.
The list promulgated by the national
commission showing the number OF play
ers that major league clubs have sent
to the minors with recall strings on them
incidentally shows how difficult it is to
secure good material by either the pur-
chase or draft route.
II is but reasonable to assume that
these players have at some time or other
shown enough to warrant some club In
the big leagues securing them. Perhaps
thew were not ripe, and they are sent
to a minor league club to develop. But
this system prevents the weak clubs from
getting players they want, as the ilSt
will show it is the strong clubs which
have the most lines out.
The national agreement does not permit
farming but the system OF sending
player to a minor league ciuo with an
agreement that he can be repurchased for
a STIMULATED sum is really nothing more
than farming, though it is not called
that. In many instances this system
works q hardship on the players, who. II
thew did not belong to some major league
club, would probably come into fast COM
papy much sooner. ..----