Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-30
BY j. ED GRILLO.

DIX y. ED Gd44LO.
There may be no foundation for the re-
port that Cleveland wants to trade Lajoie
30 Boston for Bill Carrgan. yet there are
reasons for believing that the Cleveland
club would be willing to part with the
big referendum if it could get enough in
return.
Notwithstanding the fact that Larry is
O. wonderful hitter and one of the most
graceful players the game has ever de-
Seloped, he has failed to bring about de-
sired results as a member of the Cleve-
land team. In fact, it has been charged
that because of his apparent listless-
ness he has been "A detriment to his
Team. In recent years he has not stood
Ip under the strain of campaign and
has been out of the game a good deal
of the time This, together with the fact
that he draws one of the biggest salaries
in the league, may have caused the Cleve-
land club to determine to get rid of him,
hut IL is hardly likely that ii would ac-
cept Carrigan in exchange for him. Car
rigan Is one of the wisest catchers in the
game Just the man needed by Cleve-
land, but he is weak armed and may not
last much longer. Lajoie is still an at
traction, and even if he did not play
regularly would add considerable strength
to the Boston team.
But the chances are that Cleveland is
not considering any sort of deal which
involves its star player unless it'has rea-
son to believe that the Maps would be
made pennant contenders by the acqui-
sition Of the material it could secure in
exchange for him.
where the Nationals would be welcomed
10 do their spring training, the chances
are that they will again assemble at
Charlottesville in March. Griffith is not
considering any other place and hopes to
have all arrangements completed In a
short time for another spring of work at
the Virginia town. Having been success
full after a three-week stay there last
season. II is but natural that he should
want to return, for base ball managers
are superstitious lot. and Griffith is not
an exception. One thing Is certain, Crit
fifth has no intention of taking his players
near the seashore to do their training. He
wants an inland spot because Ii has been
proved that nothing is more harmful to
the players throwing arms than to have
them work where sea breezes are con-
stantly blowing.
II is now believed that a conference be-
tween Owner Frank Farrell and Frank
Chance will take place right after the
first of the year i'll Chicago. at which
time arrangements will be made whereby
the former Cub leader will take charge
of the New York team. Farrell has been
silent regarding Chance ever since the
first announcement was given out tnat
ne wanted him TO manage the High
landers, but there have been all sorts
OF contradictory stories printed out west
purporting TO come from Chance. No cor
rect line on just how matters stand will
be possible until that conference, If 1t
ever takes place.
Two years ago one of the most sought
after players was Tommy Leach. then OF
Pittsburgh. Hermann of the Cincinnati
club made all sorts of offers for Leach,
but Pittsburgh refused TO part with him.
Since then Leach has been traded to Chi
cago. together with Leifield. for Cole and
Hoffman, and. according to reports, he
is to be turned loose by Evers before the
season opens and may drift into the
minor leagues. Had Leach been given
the opportunity TO take charge of the
Cincinnati team he might have made a
success of il and established himself for
the remainder of his life. but the unwill-
ingness of the Pittsburgh club to turn
him over at that time changed his entire
career. and the chances are that he will
gradually drop out of the limelght for
as player his days seem to be num-
bered, at least so far the major
leagues are concerned.
~
son will not he given an opportunity to
add to his laures by meeting the con-
queror of the present crop of white hopes
In the ring because of the drawing of
the color line, there is one match which
could be arranged and pulled off some
where in this country.
There should be no objection to John
son fighting Langford. undoubtedly the
best of the heavies next to Johnson. The
color line would not enter into such a
contest. and Langford would have
chance to be returned the winner.
Langfords class. next to his knockout
OF ;McVey. is hest shown by his bouts
with Joe Jeanette, Flynn and Jack john
son: LangfOrd has pounded Jeanette to
pulp i'm every fight but one although
his rugged opponent never quite arrived
. at the Knockout stage. Jim Flynn was a
toy In the hands of Langford. succumbing
in one and eight rounds respectively.
When he met Johnson i'm 1906 lie was a
mere stripping OF twenty. being little over
q middleweight. He had then been fight