Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-25
BY J. ED GRILLO.

That il pays not to be in hurry in de-
Gliding whether a player is good enough
| for fast company or not is illustrated III
the case of Marty OToole, who holds the
distinction Of having brought the highest
price ever paid for a ball player. O'Toole
has been given trials with Boston and
Cincinnati. but failed at both places
Nor could he have made even favorable
impression. for neither OF these clubs
placed him, where they could get tneiI
hands on him, yet in a single year he has
developed so as to bring the enormous
price of S22.5O'.
There is a similar case in which the
Washington club is involved. Chicago
DISPATCHES bring the information that Joe
Hovlik, the Peoria pitcher. has been pur-
chased by Comiskey for $4,000 Hovhk
was a member of the local team up to
the spring of 1910. when McAleer decided
to let him go back to Peoria. Cnfortu-
nately, perhaps. no string was held On
Hovlik, VINO had two trials here under
Cantillon, but failed to make good. Now
it seems he mas developed into some
pitcher, as would be indicated by the
price said to have been paid for him.
It would seem a serious mistake to let
young ball players go outright II they
give even a suspicion of having apllity,
for too frequently 1t happens that they
develop and make good in fast company
after a year or so. Furthermore, 1t does
not attach any extra expense on the cluO
to carry such players on its lists. and it
may be the source of furnishing the
team with valuable player.
The statement Is often made, and IL is
hardly to be denied. that buying minor
league players is merely gamble Ihat
hxyf
of the PLAYERS who have brought the
highest prices have failed to make good
In fast company, but their failure does
not reflect on this plan Of strengthening
the major league teams Ihere is no
other source by which a ball team can
be built UP to standard than by the
securing of minor league material The
day Is past when good ball players can
be purchased from one major league clup
by another. Every club must go into
the gamble for material. and the club
which can afford to take the most
chances must undoubtedly in due time
get the most material. There Is out one
hope for a losing team to better It's CON
dition and that is to get hold Of every
bit of available material and try TO pug
I'D the weak spots on Its team ANY
club which does not follow this policy
can never hope to be anywhere out near
the bottom Of the ladder.
The present eastern trip of the Detroit
team may decide whether or not II is 10
win the fiaS this year. The Iour games
which the New YoTss took from the Jen-
nings aggregation gave it a severe set
ba elk for there was Il chance to gain
comfortable lead in that series, because
the Athletics were having their troubles
at Chicago. But four straight defeats
again placed the champions uncomforta-
bly, close to the leaders, and with the
advantage OF playing long stretch OF
games on their own grounds II would
not be surprising II Mack's team took
the lead for the second time this cam
paign At any rate. it is going to be
a pretty race between this pair for the
next month or SO at least.
wolgast and Mcfarland have an
nounced that terms for two ring bat
ties have been agreed upon. The first
will take place in Milwaukee September
IS and will be a ten-round, no decision
contest, the men agreeing upon 1a3
pounds at 5 o'clock. The second en-
counter will be decided in Frisco
after Wolgasts bout with Freddie
Welsh at Vernon, Cal, Thanksgiving
day, the conditions calling for twenty
rounds at the same weight. 1t is be-
lieved, however. that Woigast Will
not sign articles for the second fight
with Mcfarland until after he has
secured line on Packey in Milwaukee.
Mcfarland says the above weight