Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-12
SPORTING COMMENT.
BY j. ED GRILLO.

If the real reason for Langford crawl
ing out of his fight with Al Kaufman was
known it would probably add another
chapter to pugilstic scandals.
1t is absurd to suppose that Langford
would sidestep his agreement to fight for
a percentage of the gate receipts and de-
mand $1,000 to enter the ring from no
other than a mercenary standpoint.
There was something behind it all. and
the chances are that Langford. who, ac-
cording to all reports did not train for
the fight at all, got the tip that Kaufman
was in excellent condition. 1t may be
that the two fighters had an agreement
whereby neither was to be seriously hurt,
but Langford, fearing that Kaufman
would slip one over on him. decided to
take no chances. and therefore made the
ridiculous demand for an exorbitant sum
to enter the ring, knowing that he would
be turned down.
There was of course. much at stake
for both principals. To have been de-
feated meant to be eliminated from con-
sideration regarding meeting with Jack
Johnson. Right now that is the stock
in trade of both Kaufman and Langford
Once either causes the opinion to be es-
tablished that he has not chance with
Johnson his value as An attraction loses
materially
Langford did not train a minute for
Kaufman, and that is undoubtedly why
he got cold feet.
Perhaps the manner in which the af
fair terminated was all for the best. IL
it was to have been a prearranged af-
fair the game would have been dealt
another serious blow. and it is not in any
shape for that sort of thing right now.
l-ansfords stock as a result of his side
stepping Kaufman has gone down ma
terially. and he will have to make amends
before he can regain his place i'm the
minds Of the tight-loving public.
Ball players who have the ambition to
displace their manager frequently are
placed in unenviable positions. There is
no longer any doubt now that Harry
Lord had his eye on the managerial posi-
ton in Boston. He was mentioned in
connection with the berth early in the
season. There was no change made, how
ever. and it was the fact that Lord
showed displeasure at the way Patsy
Donovan was running the team that Gre
ated the impression that he was not do
ing what he should for the welfare of
the team. and there and then John |.
TAYLOR decided to get rid of him.
This man Taylor deserves a lot of credit
for the able manner in which he handles
his base ball affairs. He has the courage
of his convictions and follows the die
tates of his mind fearlesSly. There is no
player SO great that Taylor will not trade
him if he has suspicion that the play
er's presence in the team is detriment
to it. No other man in base ball has
torn asunder a championship team and
built up a winner in so short time as
has Taylor.
That race etween the Pirates and Cubs
is becoming most interesting. The Pr
IL, 4 81,
Ell to be right on the heels of the Cubs
before the campaign is over. But Fred
Clarke's team is shOuldering a great ham
dicap. 1t must overcome lead of five
games so, and that is not easily done.
True. the Cubs may slump sooner or later.
but there is always the danger that the
Pirates may give way under the great
strain the players are laborinS under.
1t is very evident now that if the
Pirates had gotten any kind of a start
this spring they would be making a run
away race of il now.
While there are those who like to see
the manager of a team direct his men
from the coaching lines. it is matter of
fact that some of the most successful
gers never donned a uniform. Right
now we have Connie Mack as an exam
ple Connie never coaches or donS a uni
form. He comes on the players oencn
a bout ten minutes before the game, and
but seldom makes a suggestion. Ned Han
lon was another bench manager who was
successful and, last but not least. Frank
Selee. who won five pennants in ten years
for Boston never thought of such thing
as coaching or even wearing uniform.
linn McAleer has discarded his uniform.
and for the past month has been direct
ing his team from the bench. The change
of system has proved success. True.
McAleer is lucky in having several sea-
soned players of long experience who
know the game as we'll as he does who
do the hulk of his coaching, but there are
decidedly few ball teams benefited by
coaching from the lines.
About the only time coacher is re-
ouired to use judgment is at third ba sc,
when a play is behind the base-runner
over. and Judgment must be used
as to whether to hold him at third or
send him to the plate.
This thing of blaming a coacher when
man is caught mapping off first is absurd,
for the coacher cannot be of any assist
ance under such circumstances.