The Washington times., 1912-05-16
By SENATOR"

Hal Chase, baseball's premier first
baseman, may never regain his lost
form on the diamond. His finish as a
big league star is very near. This in
formation comes from q close friend of
his who has visited him in a private
sanitarium in New York.
Chase Is nervous wreck. He never
spent his nights rotously nor did he
ever drink to excess, but he did just as
he pleased for years, and is suffering
from acute nervous dyspepsia.
Even before being appointed manager
or the New York HighlandeIs Chase did
. more than his share of worrying about
the. team. Taking command of the team
his physical condition became worse.
{ He lost much sleep, and his appetite
broke down absolutely. Finally, he was
unable to play and left the regular
Collapsed Here.
His final collapse. ending in his going
into a sanitarium, took place here when
the Highlanders played their first series
at the Florida avenue park. This once
marvellous player was not himself all
spring, but he broke down completely
when he reached the Capital. He was
sent home to rest, and his wife had
to have his entered In a sanitariun
to save his life.
- Friends of his declare that his end
as a major league player Is close at
=: hand, that never again will he be able
to take his place at first base for the
Htghlanders and hold his own. He must
retire from the game when in his prime.
All New York and the whole baseball
world Is sorry to learn OF the collapse
of this brilliant player. and he has the
sympathy of every man who has ever
seen him in glorious action. No other
first baseman has ever equaled him In
the field, and his departure will be with
sadness on the part of every lover of
the national game.
Rain Costs Money.
p 1t is raining today in all big league
cities in the East. and cloudy in the
Western cities where the National
League teams are playing. Most likely
every International League game will
be. postponed because of the rain.
Not in years have the big leagues had
weather, and it is likely to be a dis
astrous financial season for many minor
league clubs. The United States League,
not gifted with much financial backing,
may fall before the storm gods when
1t might have lived in the face of the
opposition of the forces of organized
baseball.
. :. 1T looks as If we'd have more double
headers this year than ever BEFORE" said
Manager Clark Griffith, of the Nationals
today. "Doubleheaders are bad things.
! on players: They generally come during
the heated term when even one game
tears off the weight of the players.
I'm the second place. they never make
up for the money lost If Just twice
! the. number of fans could be counted
upon to turn out for bargain day CON
ttfbs,.s' tb,s this might n,n not bS the case But
! taken i'll never comes in"
Griggs Comes Back.
Art Grlggs. the big clouting utility
man who was with the Browns and
the Maps with more or less success, is
due for> another trial in the big show
I being taken back bv the Naplanders
Herman Bronkie, the light hitting in.
! fielder, has been sent to Toledo in ex.
| change for him.
Griggs will probably play first base
for the Napland 9rS. Ed Hohnhorst baV-
| ing fallen down as a slugger. Griggs is
a fair fielder, and dangerous batter
I at all tires.
There are rumors of n big trade be-
tween the Chicago Cubs and the Phil
lies. President Horace Fogel. of the
"Phiting Phils," Is in conference with
} President c. webb Murphy, OF the Cubs
and there Is a possibility that Ed Reul
bach and Harry Mcintyre will shortly
! join the Philadelphia club.
Long Bob" Ewing. formerly with the
Cincinnati Reds and Phillies. has beer
given his unconditional release by Rog,
ed Rresnahan, of the Cardinals He u
expected TO retire from the game.