The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-20
MANY LEMONS HAVE DEVEL OPED
 INTO MOST BRILLIANT STARS

star is often turned loose in the training season. A man who looks like lemon may develop into a full- fiedged star. Bert Maxwell was let go by New Orleans. He soon blossomed forth into the star of the circuit and was sold to the Giants for over $4000. Ty Cobb was released by Augusta. Jake Daubert was turned back to Cleveland. The Southern league clubs waived on Zack Wheat who afterward developed into 300 hitter and a splendid ball player with Brooklyn. zinn. now star ring with the Highlanders, was re- leased to the minors by Memphis
 However. to get more to the point, there is man on the Birmingham club named Hardgrove. He has not lost but one game this year and he has pitched seven. His record is bet tered by few. In the training season Hardgrove was H and seemed very weak. He exhibited no speed and his arm was slow rounding into condition. He knew how to pitch, but it was thought that he would prove to be too weak for the Southern league
 The Birmingham club sought to place him with Bessemer. Manager Hickman was offered Hardgrove for nothing and ne refused him. It looked as if Hard grove was destined to play in the Ep- worth league, if any. However he was kept and his ef- forts have kept Birmingham in the race. It seems as if he can't be beat. There Is no more popular man in Bir- mingham and none moro valuable than he. He could not be bought, yet at one time he was offered for a song.
 Many believe that Johnny SeigIe has as strong a club as any in the South eastern league He seems to have a CT and a good infield His outfield is not bad one. with him hitting well over .250 and Nichols doing nicely. Yet he has failed to win consistently.
 It Is seemingly not his fault. He Is very popular with his men. Through out his losing streak. he Is yet to blame his players and all the players in the Southeastern say that he will have to be beat for the pennant.
 There is little doubt but that he will soon start to winning. If the fans at Gadsden give him any support this week it is believed that he will soon be in the race.
 Seigle pulled off good deal the other day when he traded Walker for Rea- gan. Reagan will steady his team and instill courage into his mates. Perhaps he will not hit as hard as Walker, but he Is a good fielder and desirable experienced player. He was formerly with Meridian and New Orleans. Ran dall will pitch this afternoon and should annex q game.
 
 There seems to be a dearth of good pitchers Everybody is crying for good lwirler that can win. At Montgomery. Dobbs wants another. He has turned back Allison. present from the St Louis Browns. and wants another one. Charley Frank is crying for one at New Orleans in spite of the fact that he has just land- ed one. Nashville seems to have but one good one and Schwartz is increasing the dividends of the telegraph company in his vain search.
 The Memphis fans are yelping for an other twirer. Atlanta needs one or two. while Billy Smith at Chattanooga Is searching for 0. N, E. Hurler. The trou- ble is that the majors are not turning back any pitchers that even are fair. Many lemons have been sent to the Southern, only to return
 A household expression is Give us a pitcher"