The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-10
MAJOR LEAGUES
CONTROL CLASS A. A.
international and American As
ISOLATION Clubs Directed by
Big League Owners

It will not be long before every
baseball club in the International Lea
que and the American Association is
controlled by major league promoters.
The minor circuits. particularly those
In class IA, are gradually increasing
their patronage to such degree that
the big magnates see handsome prof
it's therein. Not only the chance to
cut minor league coupons actuates this
desire to increase their baseball hold
ings, but the major fellows also figure
that in due time they can develop
their own ball players without resort
ing to the purchase Or draft system.
of Jersey City, Newark, Providence,
Baltimore, Toronto, Montreal, Buffalo
and Rochester.
How many Of these clubs are con-
trolled by residents of the cities nam
ed? The Jersey City club is owned
by J. D. Lillis, an attorney OF that
burg, and Hugh McBreen, formerly
business manager of the Boston Red
Sox. McBreen purchased a half in
terest last winter, backed presumab-
ly by John I. Taylor. half owner of
the Boston club. McBreen paid about
$4,000 for his share in the club and
brought along Janvrin, McHale, Pur-
tell, Mains, Callahan, Killilay and 9TH
er men who doubtless belong to the
Sox and will be ..sold back next sum-
mer if their services are desired.
Joseph McGinnity, weary of owning
the Newark club. sold a block of the
stock last fall to George Salmon. Sal
ball fan who discovered Zach Wheat
and promptly recommended him to the
Brooklyn club The discovery earn
ed for Salmon the position of chief
scout, but he never found another
Wheat. It may be case of friend
Iii ct. 1xrI 111Si haf
President Ebbetts of the Brooklyn
club has turned over to the Newarks
such men as George Bell, Bergen, zim-
norman, Dalton and Ragon, with more
to go there later. Ebbetts never has
taken the trouble to deny the report
that Salmon bought the stock with
major league money.
The Providence club was sold, lock,
and Navin Of the 4betroits last win
ter The price paid was $4,000 and
1T is believed that Hugh Jennings has
nings has turned over half dozen
players to Manager Fred Lake and
will send on several others in a few
days
1t has been reported from time to
time that Connie Mack Of the Athlet-
les has a piece of the Baltimore club
This belief became general when he
was reported to have paid $4,000 for
Lefty Russell, a pitcher who never
has made good with the worlds cham
pions. When Mack turned over Dy-
CERT to the Orioles and grabbed Catch
er Egan last year many sharps wink
ed knowingly. 1t is worth while to
see how many of Mack's young play
ers are switched to the Monumental
City this spring. Jack Dunn is after
Pitchers Salmon, Bonner and Gipe
and Outfielder Maggert.
The New York Americans have no
financial interest in the Rochester club
but the managers have close business
relations. Wolverton has turned back
Osborn to Camel, while last fall the
latter purchased Walter blair. ia
year ago CAMEL secured Hughes and
Mitchell from the Highlanders, who
later purchased Simmons and McCon-
nell. If Simmons and Mcconnell do
not come up to wolverton's standard
they'll go back to Rochester.
President Brush of the Giants does
not believe in outside investments,
but Manager McGraw prefers to do
business with the Toronto club man
aged by his old friend Joe Kelley.
When McGraw wants to have play
err developed he turns him over to
Kelley. Tesreau, picked up in Texas
a year ago, was groOmed in Toronto
during last season and has come
back to the Polo Grounds looking like
the real article.
The Cleveland club is generally
recognized as the owner of the Tole-
do American Association Club Presi-
dent Somers of the Maps has financed
Toledo for several years, while many
Cleveland players have been sent there
to have the rough edges smoothed
Charles Webb Murphy of the Chica-
go Cubs denies that he is behind the
Louisville American Association Club,
and President Grsayson corroborates
him. But the fact is that these clubs
have frequently exchanged players.
Jack Pfeister, for instance, has just
been turned over to the Cubs by the
Kentucky magnate. If the inside ma