New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-26
TIMELY BITS OF SPORT
Owner of the SuperbaS Knows
How to Play Santa Claus.
FRANKIE BURNS HAS A SAY
Declares the wild Challenge
of Willie Chandler Causes
Him Much Mirth.

When Charles H. Ebbets, chief owner
Of the Brooklyn Superbas, plays Santa
Claus he distributes with a lavish hand.
Baseball writer's and sporting editors
here and there. were not the only ones
TO appreciate this yesterday, for, 10! the
announcement went out that Harry SIC
vens. rooter extraordinary for the Giants
and distributor Of peanuts and pop DOT
ties at the Polo Grounds and American
League Park. had been remembered WIN
a fve-year contract for all advertsih6'
score card and Tefreshment privileges at
Ebbets Field. the new home Of the Brook
lyn team.
II is nothing new for the sometimes
smiling Harry to cater for the fans
across the bridge IN fact. this five-year
contract will complete close TO a quarter
o. n century that he has had the prlN-
leges for the Superbas. There was HoIe
competition. however, this time, as 'he
new park TO be opened in the spring is
only the beginning, it is felt for better
team and bigger crowds. Consequently
It was a real Christmas present.
The sporting editor Of The Tribune Is
i'm receipt of the following letter from
frankie Burns:
Il read with much amusement the wild
challenge which Willie Chandler, 1ourth
rate boxer Of New York. has hurled at
my. head through the columns OF your
naner Who is Chandler. and what mas
he ever done to bring himself before the
notice Of the boxing enthusiasts? he mas
royer met any one Of real ability. and
lave great store by the fact that he is
challenging every one. He has been
l.nocked out by boys like Tiger Young
and Patsey White. who. while lalr ooHs'
are not in my class
III Chandler will defeat some hlsh
,rsle boys and prove his worth l VIII
agree 10 meet him. but under the present
conditions / would make needless sac
rjnce to lower myself by meeting nm.
Chandler is gambling on a shoestrlhg'
If we're 10 meet him, and ] should peat
him i'm a couple of punches. what "ouid l
gain? If. on the other hand, by some way
ar other he should last ten rounds with
mo 7 have lost much Of my prestige. Let
chandler prove his worth before he chal-
Icuacs "a boy who to-day is the rightful
champion Of all the bantamweights.
Harry Woverton. now manager OF the
Sacramento club. Of the Pacifc Coast
League. has sold Tom Downey, the in
fielder. 10 the Baltimore club, OF the In
ternationll League. Downey was traoeu
recently bv the Chicago Cubs TO the sac
ramerto club. but declared that he would
yetirc from baseball rather than play on
the Coast.
Charley Doom. manager Of the much
sold Philies. stirred up the fans at the
duIlcst time of the year in baseoaH yes
terday by suggesting that he may snake
VII the team from catcher to bat boy be-
fore the season opens lie says he Is
considering using Sherwood Magee at
first base and Of moving Lobert and
Dosn to the outfeld.
Doom is a clever and willy manager
but il looks as If he might spoil re-
markable outfelder a good third baseman
and utility man par excellence in
questionable experiment. But then 1t was
Christmas Day and some baseball gossip
was necessary
Fielder Jones. former manager of the
Chicago White Son. has been reelected
rresidcnt Of the Northwestern League for
a term of three years.
Miller Buggins manager OF the St
Louis Cardinals has offered Heinie PETIT.
the veteran catcher a position as coach
for his pitchers next season. Peitz is ON
a.. ct no Cincinnati Reds
hut his release is expected shortly.
lack 'offev. shortstOp of the Denver
club. OF the Western League, has been
engaged bv Fordham University TO coacn
the baseball team next spring. Cohey
acted as captain of the Fordham nine in
1895. and played with the Boston Braves
the following year
when Jess Willard. the biggest or IL
any case the tallest heavyweight I'M the
ring. stopped Sailor" White In less than
a round in Buffalo recently, he used
short left hook to the jaw, keeping ms
left elbow close TO his ribs when deliver
ing the blow. Bob FftzSimmons. who
used to knock out his victims with jolts
and hooks that did not travel more than
three or four inches. showed Willard how
10 hit. and the big Texan proved good
pupil.
Instead of boxing with a wide open
guard and swinging his hands, with arms
extended we'll away from his body. Will
lard now employs Fftzsimmons's tactics.
lie waits for the other fellow to get TO
close quarters and then rips up either
hand with all tho strength at his com
mand. II is because Of his improved right
that Willard is confident Of putting Sol
der" Eearns away IN a ten-round bout
in Madison Square Garden tomorrow
night.
Willard stood the aggressive Luther Me.
Carly off last summer. and since then Nc
Carly has whipped Jim Barry. Al Kauf-
man and Jim Flynn. He knows more
about ring science than the average
heavyweight, and he relishes meeting
man who Will box at close quarters.