New-York tribune., 1911-11-26
HUNTING A NEW MANAGER
Ban Johnson Seeks to Lit YAM
KEGS Toward Flag.
TALK OF TRADING CHASE
Gear of American League Active
in the Negotiations of
New York Club.

thing OF a ripple in baseball circles, in spite
Of the fact that his move was expected
! Frank Farrell owner OF the club. was duly
surprised" and quite at a loss TO under
stand IT, lie will probably be just as mucf
surprised" when Harry Wolverton is signed
up as the new manager within the mex
two weeks, or two months. mayhap such
Is the way Of baseball owners and the poll
tics OF the game
OF course. II may be that Wolverton and
Farrell will not come 10 terms, but every
thing points to the Western leader sue
ceedng Chase. There was a leak some
where. and the news Of the negotiations
between the owner OF the Yankees and
Wolverton became known prematurely. even
before Chase had an opportunity TO hand
in his resignation. The first inkling filtered
East from the Pacific Coast only to be
further substantiated by information from
San Antonio, where the minor league team
owners held their annual meeting. WolVer-
ton IS now in Philadelphia, ostensibly to
visit his home but meeting with Farrell
probably will be arranged while the two
men are so conveniently near each other.
In the mean time every one, including
Connie Mack and Hughey Jennings, mas
been mentioned as a possible manager OF
the Yankees. The foolishness OF such Idle
vaporings is apparent to all those familiar
with the game, but It may be partly eX-
cused on the ground OF forming interesting
speculation for the winter league. or all
the men named. George Stoyall seems to
be the only strong candidate for the berth
outside of Wolverton. and difficulties would
be met in securing him, now that he has
been engaged to manage an American AS
sociation team.
Credence is lent TO some of these sug-
gested preposterous deals by the fact tnat
Ban Johnson, president OF the American
League, is keenly interested In bolsterlng
up the New York club. The fine Italian
hand OF the Car Of the younger organlza-
ton Is observed by many In all the aslta-
ton centring around the Yankees. Almost
any unheard-of deals might be made ii the
best interests OF the league warranted the
transaction and some other club might De
sacrificed in order TO help New YORK
II is we'll known fact that the metro
politan franchise is the apple of Johnson
eve. New York. which is the richest base
ball territory in the country with WIN
ninR team, mas HOl bIF'h tAAN
League the support which it has received
In Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago Inc
attendance at the Polo Grounds Is three
times that at American League Park. But
with plenty of room for two teams
there is no reason why one should not draw
as we'll as the other If the Yankees can
be strengthened and held up In the race for
the flag as the Giants are every year. Com
paratively speaking, New York Is weak
link in the American League circuit and
Johnson Is anxious to make a few changes
for the interests Of the organization.
For this reason such rumors as the ap-
pearance OF Ty Cobb in a New York uni
form, the coming of Hughey jennings as
manager and so on are rife. The New York
team. however, would have to be In much
worse condition than IT is TO have such
deals put through Detroit would practi-
calIy be ruined by such trade, and 1t Is
a great question whether the league would
profit by it, even though the Yankees foot
hold here would be hrmer.
II worse comes to worse there is the
prospect of trading Hal Chase. While Hal
is a great player and we'll liked. on the
whole, there are several shady spots on
MS record WITH lu6 AdHhttSB anu iiC mas
never earned the popularity which Baker
and Collins have in Philadelphia, Cobb in
Detroit and Speaker in Boston, TO mention
a few of the favorites. The Yankees are
we'll fortified at first base without Chase,
as Jack Knight has shown that he can
cover the bag as accurately. II not as brill
iantly, as Hal himself. Farrell could get
a great deal for his former manager in a
trade. The Chicago White Sox, for in
stance, with a wealth Of promising short
stops and second basemen so badly needed
by the Yankees, would give almost any
thing for a capable first baseman, which
has been a weak point in their lineup for
several seasons Detroit. Boston, Washing
ton and Cleveland were all trifie unsteady
at the initial sack last season. although.
with Gainor and Stahl back, the Tigers
and Red Sox will be better off next year.
OF course, the Pittsburg Pirates and Chi
cago Cubs could use Chase, but il is safe to
say that he will never run the gantlet Of
waivers in the American League until his
usefulness as a ball player is nil. Chase in
himself is great drawing card, but 1t is
q question whether the Yankees a win
ming club without Chase would not be bet
ter off than as a losing club with Chase.