Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-19
BY J. ED GRILLo

Notwithstanding denials of John I. Tay-
lor that he has opened negotiations for
the sale of the Boston American League
Club, it can be positively stated that such
Is the case, and that barring a hitch the
club will be in new hands ere long. IN
cidentally the denial of Jim McAleer that
he has any connection with the movement
should also be taken with a grain of
salt, for those in a position to know are
convinced that McAleer has a finger in
the pie and did place the opening wedge
for the purchase of the club while he was
in Boston a few weeks ago. 1t is, Of
course, no small matter to arrange for
the transfer of the Boston club. 1t is a
piece of property which undoubtedly will
bring 100000. and deals of this magni-
tude are not closed in a few minutes.
Just why Taylor should want to get out
Of base ball is hard to understand. Finan-
cially his venture has been a great sue
cess, and while there has been much criti-
cism of his policy the fact remains that
his administration has been a success.
Taylor was believed to enjoy being in
base ball He devoted all his time to his
club and took an active part in every
thing that pertained to the game. Just
why he should suddenly tire of the whole
business seems strange, indeed.
1t may. of course. be a mere coinci-
dence, but both johnson and Walker
against Chicago in the series just closed,
with Ainsmith catching. There Is no
doubt that with Henry doing all the work
under weather conditions which We're the
most severe and lacking the experience
of a seasoned catcher it may be that the
pitchers were handicapped more than the
casual observer would realize. There was
one instance when Johnson pitched splen-
didly for few innings at Cleveland and
Henry could not hold him, and when he
let down he was pounded all over the
lot. Both Johnson and Walker came right
back and pitched in good form In chi
cago, and the suspicion was created that
the change of catchers had much TO do
with their form reversal.
Hardly a day passes that some one or
more of the major league clubs does not
make a purchase of players from the
minor leagues. approximately something
like fifty players have been secured IN
this way, and it stands TO reason that
the club which wants to share in this
competition for material must be up and
doing. To date Washington has an
nounced the purchase of but two men,
Cashion. a pitcher and Long an out
fielder, neither of whom has reported.
Clarence Walker, who has been with the
team for several weeks, is the other re-
cruit So far as known McAieer's recent
scouting trip failed TO add any material
to the local clubs list nor has Scout Ka
hoe dug up anything since he purchased
Long, the outtielder. from the Gadsden,
Ala, club. No club is more sadly In need
of material than the Nationals, and
strenuous efforts should be made to enter
into competition with the other clubs for
all available material.
On his minor league record Long looks
to have the making of a good ball player.
lie is batting over the AGO mark and in
almost every game he steals one or more
bases. He is of course not playing in
very fast company. but he apparently
outclasses the iielders in his league. and
being mere boy should develop into a
valuable man for the Nationals. If il is
possible to do 50 Long should be secured