The Washington herald., 1911-01-02
Nationals Who Have Signed.
By WILLIAM PEET.

into the fold, signing up their contracts
for this season, and, so far as known,
there hasn't been a word of dissension
regarding terms.
Up to date it is known that five con-
tracts have bOen signed, and forwarded to
the local boss. Just how many more
have affixed their John Hancocks~ ~Yill
not be learned until the players report
p. in March and are interviewed by the
local sport writer's. for McAleer an
nounced when in this city route for
the annual league meeting that he
would not give out to the newspapers
the names Of the players who had signed,
and his reasons justify this action.
Word received from Youngstown. Ohio,
last night was to the effect that Doc
Meyer. the pitcher. blew in from his
home in Andover, Saturday. bringing
with him his signed contract, which he
turned over personally to Manager Nc
Aleer
Meyer is reported to be in good condi-
ton, and looks for a prosperous season
Several days ago Fred Sherry, another
Youngstown recruit signed by the Ma
uonals for a try-out, turned his con-
tract over to McAleer. and Charley Con-
way, as The Washington Herald pre-
viously stated, signed up two weeks ago.
It is earnestly hoped that the proposed
football game between Georgia Tech
and Georgetown will materialize next
fall. The Auburn team ranks among the
topnotchers in the Southland. and with
the strength of which the Hilltoppers
are assured for next season, a battle
royal should certainly result.
The Philadelphia North American comes
across with a good one, as follows:
It looks good in these times. when
many players and their owners are snarl-
ing at each other. that the former may
get their salaries boosted as high as
possible and the others contrive to drive
q. hard bargain as they can. to read
of an incident that happened in Pitts
burg last week.
Deacon Philippe. an old and loyal men,
Der of the Pittsburg club. dropped into
the office of President Dreyfuss to ex-
tend New Year greetings to his en-
ployer
After fluctuations had been exchanged
the owner said: Il have here a blank con-
tract: are you willing to sign il and let
me fill in the figures later?''
Certainly quickly replied the pitcher,
who affixed his name to document that
tied him up for six months and put him
at the mercy of Dreyfuss. who could in
Sert any salary ne desired
Dreyfuss didn't wait to name the sal
ary. After the blank contract had been
signed. he inserted the figures and showed
it again to Philippe. The beam that
spread over the pitchers face made it
plain that he had not been tricked
That's the proper spirit. the player hav
ing every confidence in the fairness of the
owner. and the latter equally imbued with
the spirit to deal with his hrelings equit-
ably.
This pays in the long run. The player
is sure to be treated much more literally
than if he were malcontent, while the
owner will reap rich dividends in en-
deavor and loyalty from the other.
The days of the professional football
player on college teams have gone-that
Is. among the big schools. No more is
John Smith allowed TO take a special
course in football. profanity. and lunch"
Our old pal. John, must buckle down
and do the required amount OF college
work. Then maybe he can find some
kind alumnus who will defray the ex-
penses of his college career.
A star football player need not worry
about getting college education. If
he's sure enough star he is in demand,
and he will get everything he wants
while he's in college-if he keeps up in
his studies. Every loyal alumnus ap-
points himself a recruiting agent for his
college. If he spies some likely looking
gridron hero. who is strong on study and
short on funds, he reports the same to
/, his fellow alumni and in a jiffy the
gridiron gladiator is in college.
That's the present-day system and it |
works beautifully The alumni are care
ful, though. not to send on a player who |
is averse to studying.-St- Louis Times. |
Some day, says Elmer Bates, of the |
Cleveland Leader some baseball historian |
will write the False Alarm chapter of |
the book: the story of prospective play |
. ers who have promised much, but paid |
little: the men whose services were sup
posed to be indispensable to the life Of |
the game. but who failed to survive the |
ordeal to which all recruits in the major |
league ranks are subjected.
At such a time and under such circum- /
stances 1t is altogether probable that the ,
pursuit and capture Of DOC" Oberlander, |
q southpaw, possessing a verbose press |
agent and a curious curve will be set |
down.
There was time when the old Cleve-
land National League team was in des-
perate need of a pitcher. It was then |
that DOC" Oberlander was recommended
to the club. The clubs scout didn't have |
much to say, but the pitchers press agent |
insisted that DOC" would make the fans 1
forget those other famous left-handed |
twirlers-"Toad" Ramsey and Mat Kill
roy.
Frank Brunell was then the sporting |
editor Of a Cleveland morning newspaper,
and also the advance agent Of the Cleve-
land baseball clubs prosperity. To Mr..
Brunell fell the task OF running the won
derful Oberlander to cover and obtaining
his left-handed signature to a. long-term
contract
II was just at this time that doc"
Oberlander's press agent and personal /
representative got busy. He told the IA
NOUS southpaw that in baseball as in
everything else the great secret of sue
cess was to keep your employers on the
anxious seat Therefore. he argued the
thing for Oberiander to do was to va
moose, and to lead the Cleveland clubs
scout q long chase before settling down /
ana talking business.
Mr.. Brmell left Cleveland for Pitts
burg, where doc" was supposed to be
waiting to see him. At HttshurE Bru-
nell was told that Oberlandsr vas IN
Wheeling. To Wheeling went Mr.. Bru-I
neil Then he was informed that TIE