The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-03-27
By WILLIAM PEET.

Atlanta, Ga, March e. Manager NC
Aleer tonight read the riot act to Sec
ond Baseman Bill Cunningham and gave
the youngster to understand that unless
he got himself into condition when the
American League season opened that
Wild Conroy would be found at second
base. In order that the youngster might
understand that McAleer was in deadly
earnest he was informed that his salary
would not start until he Cunningham
was in shape to play.
According to Manager McAleer Gun
ningham is twenty pounds overweight
and every ounce of this will have to come
of before the youngster is permitted to
play second base in the big series
Said Manager Jim tonight: MY
patience is exhausted with Cunningham.
We have been here three weeks and ne
has lost just one pound He does not
show the right disposition and thinks he
can take of weight by sleeping. Gun
bingham tips the scales at 1SS POUNDS
and for his height should weigh 49, He
has simply got to work of twenty pounds
between now and the time the season
opens or l shall not start him; neither
will he draw any salary until he gets
himself into condition.
u cannot understand Cunningham.
Here's Gabby Street, who has already
worked off ten pounds and is out hustlins
every day. Street is veteran. but shows
twice as much life as does Cunningham "
McAleer further claims that Cunning
ham is lazy and makes no bones of
saying SO in front of all the players He
says he has treated the youngster fairly
and given him opportunity, and that now
Cunningham will have to show him
Immediately after the practice Saturday
McAleer instructed Business Manager
Lehman to telegraph to Philadelphia Tor
a rubber shirt, which Cunningham will
be ordered to wear. IN the hope of ex-
pediting matters.
CunninGham's Side of Case.
Cunningham's side of the story is this:
He said to the writer: Il was asked not
TO play basketball this winter. and did
not do so. taking things easy at my
home in Schenectady. I know took on
lot of weight, and reported twenty pounds
heavier than when I quit playing ball
last fall. l thought as soon as we got
South l would have little trouble in train
ing down, but for some reason or other
/ cannot do it. Goodness knows I Try
hard enough"
According to Trainer Quirk, Cunning
ham reduced his weight by six pounds
during the first two weeks here, but the
last three or four cold days prevented
took it all on again.
1t is doubtful if the Regulars and Sham
rocks will meet Tomorrow morning, as
the grounds at Ponce de Leon Park are
sure to be wet and heavy, owing to the
hard rain which started late Saturday
night and continued most of the day to-
day
Manager McAleer stated this afternoon
that he was trying to pace three of
lis new recruits with other clubs, pre-
surabIy in the minor leagues. He would
not say just where, nor would he name
the men He also added that he thought
il most likely all of the squad would be
brought back TO Washington, and that
he would let out those he did not in
tend to keep before the first of May.
1t seems that there is a possibility of
Doc Ralston not going to Atlanta,
this club would be forced to pay a good
stiff price for him. and Manager Otto
Jordan rather balkS at the proposition.
Ralston has already cost the Washing
ton mana cement 81 500 which sum was
paid the Akron management last sum
mer with the understanding that II
Ralston made good before May Is, 1911
the Nationals would plank down 5000
more Now it is up to Otto Jordan. If
he can see his way clear to paying this
amount Ralston will probably play in
Atlanta, if not it is more than likely he
Will be turned back to Akron.
Sherry Must Make Good.
Pitcher Fred Sherry will be given one
more week to show Manager Jim some
thing Up to the present time Sherry
has complained OF a lame arm and
shoulder, but seems to be rounding into
some sort of form. Sherry has yet tc
pitch m one OF the club SERIES but will
shave to take his turn in the box this
week, and Incidentally be forced to show
enough class to warrant holding on to
a1tm much longer. Sherry has thus far
=been a mystery. and McAleer is not
strong for the mystery stun. He wants
to see pitcher deliver the goods, and
only few days are left In which Sherry
must come across.
The boys spent the day quietly, most
of them going to church in the morning
and IN the afternoon lounging around
the hotel lobby or in their rooms The
New York Highlanders drifteo in before
breakfast and old acquainances were re-
.newed