The Washington herald., 1910-12-11
BY WILLIAM PEET.


meeting OF the American League, which
convenes at the Hotel Wolcott, New
York. next Wednesday morning.
McAleer goes prepared TO pull off a
number OF trades for the purpose of
strengthening the Nationals next season.
and for the hrst time in several years the
Washington club has considerable ma
teral for swapping purposes.
There is a possibility that both Bob
Groom and Gabby Street may figure in
some sort of a deal, as it IS understood
that McAleer is willing TO part with them
providing he can see where his club will
be strengthened.
Bob Unglaub IS also on the market, but
Sir Robert is not a desirable citizen in
the minds of the American League club
owners, and unless one of the Class A
teams can use him and will offer the
proper inducements, Unglaub VIII likely
80 TO Atlanta next spring.
While McAleer viii be on the job to
talk trade with any of the magnates, the
chances are that he will ind it hard
shedding TO pun off anything, for the
reason that the local boss. with his we'll
earned reputation Of the David Harum
OF baseball" is looked upon with slight
suspicion by other big league mOguls-
McAleer has never yet been known 10 get
the worst of a baseball trade
ON the other hand. 10 is a Weil-knOwn
fact that McAleer VIII bid as high as any
manager for the player he wants and II
il is a question of money the Washing
ton club VIII back him up in any PROPOSE
zion he submits,
Manager McAIeer will go direct 10 New
York from his home in Youngstown. He
will meet President Moves Tuesday night,
and affairs pertaining 10 the local club
with prospective trades will be discussed
then, so there is little chance Of Nc
Aleer's returning 10 Washington after the
meeting adjourns.
Whether McAleer pulls OF any trades
or not, there viii be plenty of real base
bah news for the hungry fans as the
local boss has kept in touch with all OF
his players since the season closed and
can XOuchsafe much information OF IN
terest.
Although President Johnson has an
bounced that the American League meet
ing viii be short and sweet, il Is under
stood that the younger organization IS
ready 10 advocate "a change in the play
The American League men never ADJ
v0cated the foul strike rule adopted by
the National League in 1902. but they
were forced TO accept the rule in the
interest of harmony. and in obedience 10
the provisions of the national agreement.
But Johnson and his friends, after
careful study of existing conditions. be-
lieye that the pitchers nave become too
effective and that something should be
done in the way of rule making 10 help
the wielder of the wagon tongue. Ac-
cordinely, the American League, il is
understood. is a strong advocate of
either one or two changes.
The league will vote in favor of the
proposition 20 reduce the number Of
called balls from four to~three. or to
increase the number of strikes from
three to four. either rule being calculated
10 increase the hitting by curtailing the
power Of the bOXmen But before these
changes can be made in the playing
rules, the consent Of the National League
must be obtained, and that, of course,
means serious friction
Aside from the desirable rule changes
the American League men say they will
transact very little business of fmpor-
lance. No feuds exist among them and
the utmost harmony prevails. Johnson
is the master, and his leadership is un-
disputed In that lies the unqualified
success OF this thriving organization.
To Rebuild the Browns.
There's one other point, however, that
may cause some discussion among the
American League men-the St Louis
clubs wrecked team and how to rebuild
it, President Hedges has had disas-
trous season directly due to the loss OF
James McAleer as manager Of the Browns
He has released Jack O'ConnOr. BcAieer's
successor. and has not yet named a man
10 take charge of his players Having
succeeded in bolstering up the Washington
club, Johnson Is thinking a lot as 10 the
best policy 10 pursue in ST. Louis with
the same end IN view, and before the
week ends it is believed that Hedges will
have secured a new team leader together
with some new players.
The player question is likely to interest
both leagues. The Highlanders viii stand
pat, no doubt. Chase believes he cannot
improve much on the present makeup
II is generally believed that the owners OF
, the Boston Red SOX. Chicago Cubs, both
81. Louis teams, the Boston Nationals,
and the Detroits viii come prepared 10
N'f'NN lid4 DuL whether lltY can
complish anything or not remains TO be
seen. Players Who were willing 10 leave
their ole employee for the Fletcher or
ganization are said 10 be in disfavor and
some of them may be shifted 10 other
clubs The magnates knew that dssatis-
ned bail players cannot produce the de-
sired results and that il is best 10 re-
place them with more willing workers.
Eastern League Presidency.
The Eastern League, which is the most
powerful minor organization in exist
ence. will try to elect new president TO
succeed the veteran Patrick T. Powers
who has devoted twenty years or more
in promoting this prosperous circuit If
Powers should decide at the last moment
10 make a fight for reelection. he would
bc we'll backed by the betting fraternity
as he always has b0bbed up serenely
with sufficient number of votes in
times past when opposition to him
seemed strongest \ week ago Powers
had no idea of running for office AGAR. i
The National League, as usual. viii af-
ford many chances for the fans TO take
peek at the inside machinery that
runs the nations pastDne The mag
mates have been quietly pulling wires
for cavna ffu7n f,ttr from, al ~11......