The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-02-14
Veteran Outhelder Makes
Way for Youngster in
q Garden.
GERMANY SCHAEFER
DISCUSSES SALARY
No Confirmation of Deal Involv-
T. ing Backstop John
i IA, Henry.
By SENATOR"

Doc Gessler, the veteran outfieldor of
the Nationals, vas today sold to Kansas
City, in the American Association, aud
will report to that club at the beginning
of the training season. Gessler came to
Washington three years ago in OK
change for Charlie Smith and a sum of
money. Gessier had been d slugger
with the Boston Red SoX, but immedi-
ately took a slump when he joined the
NatioraIs. He never recovered from
that slump, ard, in addition, took on so
much weight that he rapidly slowed up
and was OF little real value to the team
Gessler is a veteran, having been with
Brooklyn and Chicago in the National
League, and Boston and Washington in
the American League. He was a star
college player at Washington and JEFF
ferson and Baltimore Medical, and made
good in the majors from the jump. He
was captain of The Boston Americans
until he went on a rampage with
"Tubby' Spencer, the backstop. That
made John l. Taylor look around for
trace
Joe Cantillon was then manager OF the
Nationals, and was very sweet on Cess
Ter. He Immediately agreed to give
Charlie Smith and bonus for the slug
ger, but the outflelder failed to come
through with the class necessary.
Manager Griffith is building up the
team here with youngsters, and on this
account was willing 10 take a good offer
for veteran.
Hold Conference.
Herman Schaefer and Clark Griffith
held a conference in Chicago today at
which, it is believed. an agreement
was reached between player and man.
ager concerning the contract under
which the former will play with the
Washington ball club during the COM
ing season. This information was re-
ceived through dispatches from Chicago
where the manager is representing
Washington at the American League
meeting.
For weeks Schaefer has been in COR
respondence with Griffith on the salary
question and an understanding is be-
lieved to have been practically reached
and all that now remains to be done is
to have SChaefer place his name on the
official papers.
Trade Is Uncertain.
No confirmation is obtainable here of
the report from Chicago that Manager
Griffith is endeavoring to trade John
Henry to the St. Louis Browns for
Lefty" George.
Among those who are closest TO Grif-
fifth there Is a feeling that the whole
report developed in the fertile mind of
some scribe, for the leader of the Ma
tionals has said right along that he is
most anxious to maintain intact the
catching staff which is so highly rated
in the American League.
Henry is generally considered one of
nFnniSinp
who has broken into major league
baseball In several years, while George
can hardly be placed in the same class
among the pitchers. 1t is known that
Griffith would like to add another left
handler to his corps of pitchers, but that
George Is the man he wants and he is
willing to pass up Henry in the eX-
change Is hardly taken seriously here.
Expected Back Tomorrow.
Griffith Is due back in Washington to-
morrow, when he will go to headquar-
tiers to wade into large stack of let
tiers that has gathered since he left
here on Sunday.
So well is the agreement between the
American and National Leagues now
show but five conflicts in cities in which
both leagues are represented. All OF
these will come in Chicago.
The schedule of the National League
has Just been issued and from these
dates some idea may be formed of how
the American Leaguers will fit witt
their rivals in the matter of especially
attractive dates. The Chicago Cubs
apparently, have all the best of it il
this matter. as they will be at HON,
fifteen times on Sunday, and a dozel
times OH Saturday in addition to Me
mortal Day with the Cincinnati Reds a
the West Side park.
Hub Hart, the former Georgetown
athlete, will leave his home the latte
part of the week for Sacramento, Cal.
where he will play ball during the com
ing season. Last year Hart had mos
successful campaign, hitting .3l2, whicl
was the highest mark made by any o
the Catchers in that league.