Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25
MCBRIDE SURE TO
BE AN ABLE AID

Continued FROM First Page.)
death or his being incapacitated his heirs
could draw his pay during the life of
the contract Cincinnati wanted Bill
That was pretty sweet proposition. one
which few ball players would have turned
down, but Bradley did, and signed with
Cleveland for something like $4,000 per
season.
The American League owes much of its
success to the LOYALTY of the players who
started out with it. There are any num-
her of instances where players were
offered fabulous sums to jump to the
National League. but refused and gave
their services to the American League
could have demanded from the old
league. And it was not stage money that
was offered. either They could have 1t
placed in banks to their credit If they
the American League. and were in
large measure responsible for the success
the newcomer attained.
Bobby Wallace. like Bradley, was an
by the American League. Wallace could
have named his own figures to go with
the National League.
The writer was commissioned to offer
part of it down cash. and the same kind
Of a contract that Bradley was offered.
but he turned it down and signed with
ST. Louis for much less.
Even if McAleer should be unable TO
add any batting strength. to his outfield.
he could dispense with some for the sake
OF additional speed If he could pick up
another fast man like Milan. though he
be not the fielder or hitter. it would help
much. Speed has been sadly lacking on
the local outfit and Milan is really the
only fast man McAleer has. and he needs
more before he can hope to finish much
higher with his present hitting team. A
good fast man is of great value to a
team if he has the ability to get on the
bases occasionally without making base
hit.
Secretary John Heydler of the National
League doubts whether the plan to have
travelling scorers would be a good thing
or not He believes that the scoring on
a whole, in the ma jOr leagues is decidedly
fair and competent, but to have travelling
scorers, he fears. would throw them to-
gether with the players too much to
make life comfortable for them. They
would virtually be in the same position
as the umpires he thinks.
But Heydler has another scheme. He
believes that it would be good policy to
keep the names Of the official scorers in
the various cities secret. SO that these
officials could not be bothered by players
who are always anxious TO get all the
doubtful hits.
1t IL a fact that last season. when the
automobiles were offered for prizes to
the best hitter, that players actually hunted
UP the official scorers and tried TO in
fuence them in their favor, a condition
which should not be allowed to exist.
become decidedly influential citizen
with the powers that be in Chicago. The
passage of an ordinance the other day
which virtually prohibits any one from
building grandstand or b,eachers out of
anything that Is not fireprOof puts a
new barrier in the way OF third league
breaking into the Windy city, for such
a step could no longer be taken without
the expenditure Of vast sum OF money.
The owner of the White Sox is one of
the very few magnates VINO retains his
popularity, even in years when his team
is not a winner, and this is directly due
to his mixing proclivities.
Fit be true that Eddie Grant. the third
to Cincinnati. refuses to sign with the
Reds because he was referred to by a
nickname in some of the CINCINNATI
papers. which had reference TO his ply
siosnomy, Clarke Griffith will not serious
ly miss this young man. Whenever a
ball player is so thin-skinned that he can
not stand a little joshing he is not apt
TO add much grit or determination to a
team, and Griffith Will probably take this
view OF il.
Besides. Grant should find some consola-
ton in the fact that Nick Altrock became
famous because of his looks. simply be-
cause he enjoyed his appearance as did
the spectators.
Chicago paper once printed a picture
OF Nick. and several days later got a
query from fair subscriber. asking If
the picture. as IL appeared, was correct
or q typographical error. If Grant is
so sensitive about his looks, he should
try and get job under the social lead
err who is being sought by the new
syndicate in control of the st. Louis
Club. W.. will probably furnish his play
ers wit, powder puffs.