Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-27
BY J. ED GRILLo.

Within the next few days Charley
Street, the Nationals star catcher, Will
leave his home at Williamsport for an
indefinite stay at Hot Springs, Ark, ac-
cording to advices received here yester-
day.
Street, it seems, has been bothered con-
siderably with rheumatism this fall, and,
rather than take a chance Of going into
spring training unfit to hold up his end,
he has decided to go to the health resort
and take the baths.
Street contracted the ailment late in
the season, when he caught severe cold,
from which he had a hard time recover
ing He is particularly anxious to do
the bulk Of the catching for the Nationals
next season, and wants to be in the best
possible condition.
With Street and Ainsmith doing the
catching the local team will be as well
fortified behind the bat as any team in
the country. 1t is not unlikely that Man.
ager McAleer will alternate these two
catchers behind the bat, SO as to keep
both fresh during the entire campaign.
The announcement from Boston that
Owner John l. Taylor has decided to let
Catcher Bill Carrigan go to some other
club, together with several other men,
bers of the Boston team. will cause
genuine surprise among the managers Of
the other seven teams, In whose eStlma-
ton Carrigan is one Of the best catchers
in the game today.
Not only Is Carrigan good backstop
and a wise coach of pitchers, but he is a
hitter of more than ordinary ability and a
splendid field general. If Owner Taylor
is sincere in his statement that he wants
to get rid Of Carrigan he will not find it
a difficult matter to do so, for Carrigan
would be the most sought-after player to
be placed on the market With catchers
Of ability decidedly scarce and with every
base bali man conceding that there is not
a more important position on any team.
Carrigan will be very much in demand
and the Boston club will be able to get
most anything 1t wants for him.
Figuring on the great improvement
which both the Chicago and Cleveland
clubs are expected to show in the next
campaign, it would seem that McAleer
will have to greatly strengthen his team
in order to make a better showing.
1t is generally conceded that the White
Sox and the Maps will be a whole lot
stronger next year than they were last
The fact that Lord and Mcconnell have
been added to Comiskey's team, not to
speak of the raft Of young outfielders
who have given indication of making
good. will surely make big difference In
the White Sox, for that pitching staff Is
still formidable one and with the proper
sort of support, defensive and offensive,
it is sure to win large majority of its
games.
Perhaps no team was as lucky in picking
up good ball players as was Cleveland.
Jim Mcclure appears to have corralled the
pick of the young blood which came up
from the minors. and in Jackson he un-
doubtedly got hold of ball player who
promises to stand out as does Cobb.
True, one can never figure that Cleve-
land bunch. They have looked most for
midable on paper before. only to fall
down. But the housekeeping which was
held last year may have had a good eff
feet. and the Maps may. indeed, be the
dark horse in the coming race
So with the two teams which finished
in front OF the Nationals in the second
division considerably strengthened, it be-
hooves Manager McAleer to plug up the
holes on his team il he is to have a
chance to improve his teams position.
There is no doubt that with Cunning
ham at second the infield has been
strengthened, Notwithstanding the fact
that 1t remains to be seen II first base
is in better hands than it was last year.
There is consolation in the fact that 1t
is hardly possible to have that position
filled by a weaker man than held 1t down
last year. and Cunningham is certainly an
improvement over killifer.
But McAleer's troubles do not end
there. He is well fortified behind the bat,
and there is a good chance for his pitch
ing staff, though he must inject some
new blood into that outfield before he can
be figured to present stronger front
than he did last season.
But while Cleveland and Chicago seem
to have been improved 1t Is doubtful il
Boston and New York will cut as much
of figure as they did last season.
The absence of Lord Is going to make
q great difference in the Boston team,
and 1t remains to be seen II Hal Chase is
as capable a handler of men as Stallings
proved to be.
Whatever possessed the Boston club to
let SO valuable q player as Lord get
away Is still mystery to base ball men.
Lord Is undoubtedly the best third base.