Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-21
BY J. ED GRILLO.

The financial possibilities of II major
league base ball club arc perhaps best
illustrated by the success of the Brook
1Yn club Though this club has been
at or near the bottom for the past
ten Years, it seems to have earned
enough money to make il possible to erect
one of the finest plants i'm the country,
which is just now nearing completion
Brooklyn has always been looked upon as
the weakest member of the National cir
that the club owners could make both
ends meet, because of the fact that the
poor showing of the team put a damper
on what enthusiasm there was in the
town. Yet under the most discouraging
conditions Charley E,bbets seems to have
accumulated fortune. as is shown by the
fact that the new park, which VIE be
opened next spring. has meant an outlay
OF something like three-quartcrs of q mil
lion dollars.
This is most remarkable showing and
gives at least an idea Of how great the
profits of successful clubs in better cities
than Brooklyn must be. Base ball is,
indeed, an ideal basis when d club
which has been an absolute failure arts
compares favoraoly with any in either
major league.
Ever since Frank Chances name has
been mentioned IN connection with the
mana cement OF the New York High
landers there has been speculation as
to whether or not he would be able 10
handle the eccentric Hal Chase. For
some reason or other the crack 1irst
baseman of the Yankees has the reputa-
ton of being hard man to handle,
though it is not plain just what that
charge is based on.
Chase. however, seems to realize just
where he stands in the public eye, and
he is rushing into print to give assur-
ance that he will do everything in his
power to help Chance make the team
d winner. Here is what he said in New
York yesterday:
With Frank Chance on the bench |
believe the Highlanders will show vast
improN cment. He will prove the right
man for the mana gement. and there
isn't a player on the clubs roster who
isn't glad to see him come here While
the team finished last this year. it
doesn't mean that we haven't the ma
terial. OF course. several positions
must be strengthened, but Chance
knows how to attend to that matter.
Half of a teams success lies in the
box. We have a string of good
IL.
Caldwell and Fisher. all seasoned. while
l believe that we will have additional
strength in the new men, Davis, keat-
ing. Shultz and Green. Chance always
handled the Cubs pitchers with rare
Judgment getting results that would
have been impossible ii he hadn't under
stood his business.
Sweeney is a great catcher and Chance
probably will use him in as many games
as possible. think that young Sterrett.
So1I ole will he
developed into fine backstop by the
new manager. The outfield will be
strong. as Chance has Cree. Wolter.
Daniels Hartzell and Lelivelt to draw
FROM The infield. however, will be a
problem that may require time to solve.
If Derrick comes up to expectations it
will not surprise me If he is assigned
permanently to short field. where he
seems to be at his best. Young Midkiff.
who joined us last fall may turn out
well at third base. He needs experience
but he possesses much natural skill. Sec
ond base may prove stumbling block.
however. until Chance arrives at some
conclusion. l think Mcmillan is too light
II have the greatest admiration for
Chance and l intend to play ball for him
to the best of my ability. l was handi-
capped by illness until midseason this
year, but I hope to be rid of the hoodoo
in future. Mr.. Farrell has treated me
with great liberality and 1 fully appre-
possibly / couldn't get elsewhere and
would be foolish if l didn't try to earn it.
When the players reach training quarters
will be ready to begin the hardest kind
of work and will do all in my power to
help the new manager build up the team
into winning FORM
1t is generally believed that Chance
will appoint his star first baseman to the
post of field captain.
There is a good chance for the st.
Louis Browns TO be a much more trou-
blesome ball team next year than they
have been in several previous campaigns.
The fact that Stovall has q cracking
good staff of young pitchers gives his
team chance to upset all calculations
and cut more of a figure in the race than
it has been given credit for
Even a mediocre outfit which can boast
of three or four strong pitchers is not
easily beaten and there was evidence last
year that Stovall had at least four twirl-
ers who are apt to make trouble for any
team that faces them.
In Hamilton the Browns have one OF
the best left-handers in the league AL
lison is another pitcher of class, and
Baumgardner. if he develops at all. is
going to he a crackerlack. In addition
there is Weiman IL giant southpaw, who
did some very creditablc work last fall,
and several other youngsters all of whom
have shown to good advantage. 1t is
true that there are many weak spots
on the team. but there are also some
good ball players. Wallace, for instance,
is still among the best shortstops i'm the
league. Shotten has developed into