The Washington times., 1911-01-04

uIIuSIIIR
not for the seriousness of the situation,
but Mr.. Brown will, Of course, find that
he is only a zephyr in a storm If he tries
any press-gagging propositions.
Benning was at the height Of its
glory. the powers that were told a
newspaper man, who had the courage
to say what he thought, that he
needn't come back. But the ban
didn't last long.
With the holidays ended the winter
league is at its height.
Dan McGann. who used to play ball
here years ago, is reported to have
left $4,000 when he committed suicide,
few weeks ago.
AS a rule ball players never learn the
lesson of putting aside for the days
when their usefulness on the diamond
is at an end, but McGann was evident
ly an exception. While he was in base
ball he saved a goodly portion of his
salary and later made some wise in
Nestments in real estate in Kentucky,
his home State.
The secret of why he ended his life
he carried to the grave with him.
1t now looks like Harvard and Prince
tor will meet November 4.
1t is doubtful if there is any ball club
In the country which has more men on
the Athletics.
Connie Mack has made a business OF
never selling a player who has been a
member OF his team for any great time,
hut simply waiting until good oppor-
tuEity is presented and then allowing
the veteran to assume a managerial
role. This is, of course, if he has not
heen a diSturber, and has been working
In harmony with the other Athletics.
The result is that Mack has sincere
frfx H.. l.,
AS soon as they see any youngSter that
looks good, thev write to Philadelphia
and then L regular scout sallies forth.
Seems simple, but that's the way it s
done.
Umpire Mullin comes to the American
League from the West highly touted
In hearing the paeans of praise for
Ban Johnson from every stop on the
American League circuit it might be
well to reflect on the days, not so
many years ago, when the executive
OF the greatest organization in base
ball was almost friendless in Wash
ington.
In the stormy days, when creditors
were beseiging the owners of the
Senators for old debts, it was Byron
Bancroft Johnson who had to stand
the brunt of the abuse. But how times
have changed.
He has drawn to himself the willing
and has tanned the unwilling until he
seldom has an idle moment whenever
he visits the Capital. No matter what
opinion might be entertained about
Ban Johnson personally you have to
give it to him. He has made good
himself and has made others be good.
First call for the field and track
teams.
Hler
dence this morning who told me that
Jimmy Collins, the old Boston manager
and now leader of the Providence club,
has taken on weight at such an alarm
ing rate that he may be forced to re-
tire.
Washington fans will remember that
even in his best days. when he was
plotting a worlds championship outfit,
the league, so If he added to that since
drifting to minors, 1t would not be sur
prising If he should slow up.
was one of the grandest third basemen
that ever handled a ball.
Eliminate professionalism on the
board.
One of the most efficacious means the
Intercollegiate Athletic Association could
employ to bring about genuine reform
in the football rules would be by the
elimination entirely from the rules COM
mittee of all members who have adopted
the sport as a means of livelihood.
1t is automatic among followers of
sport that professional coaches are hired
to win, and in order to accomplish this
end they are often found guilty of vio-
lating the spirit of the rules laid down
for their guidance.
On the rules committee there are at
present m en- whose whole life work Is
professional sport. and it is almost i'm
fn hot fhnf nnf
in attempting to change a game would
be as sincere as more representative
sportsmen, who are in the game for
the sport. and not for the dollars they
might garner.
II the committee were rid of the pro-
fessional coaches, ii would be able to
meet the questions that might arise in
a more genuine manner, and there
accomplished at the deliberations of the
board.
Jack Johnson's press agent hasn't been
heard from today.
Tech High will be fortunate If it sue
ceeds in landing Jim Mulligan as coach
of the field and track team. Before
entering Georgetown, Mulligan was a
member of the great relay team OF
Brown Prep School, of Philadelphia.
which hung up worlds interscholastic
star and was a member of the winning
combination which represented the
Blue and Gray.
He is in business here and would de-
vote his spare time to the schoolboy
athletes.
Hedges salary as president of the
Browns was $4,000
No matter what Weaknesses might be
developed by the Nationals after the
season opens. 1t seems impossible that
they would be able TO finish last unless
the st: Louis Browns should withdraw
from the circuit
Last year O'Connor's club was the big
scream, but unless the managers get
moving and appoint a manager without
further delay, the Browns will probably
De even worse during the campaign
which opens next April.
There is hardly any material on the
st. Louis roster fit for trading purposes,
and, no matter how competent the new
manager may be, 1t looks like a stern
chase all the way, as but two months
remain before the trips to Southern
camps are started, and any clubs that
have players are not overenthusiastic |
over the idea of parting with them until
the true worth of the recruits is known. |
Semi-Pros Are Not Needed.
Unless there is a sudden reversal Of |
opinion in Washington as to amateur
and sernf-professional baseball the plan