The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-04
Long Conference Between Sen,
and President Navin
Is Vain
TIGER WANTS INCREASE
IN SEASONS SALARY
Says He'll Play First Base Cor
siders It Most Import
ant Job
By RALPH L. YoNKER.

Sam Crawford is a threatened II
ger hold-out.
Crawford had a long drawn out con-
ference with President Navin Of the
Tigers, Wednesday morning. When
the two men came out OF Mr.. Nayin's
private Office, Sam announced that he
had not yet signed his contract for
the coming year.
A difference In ideas as to what sal
airy Sam shall receive during the com
Ing season Is what is holding up the
signing OF the documents, Crawford
says. Sam expected q raise during
the coming season. Whether the IL
ger boss refused him altogether or
didn't deem 1t wise to give Sam a.
much as he asked. Is not stated.
Crawford expects to take his family
to Gulfport. Miss. where the Tigers
will train this spring, shortly after
Christmas. At least those were his
expectations until Wednesday morn
ing's conference. Now he Is up In
the air as TO what he shall do.
The Tiger outfielder planned on
renting a cottage in the town or along
the beach near II. where he and his
family could spend the remainder Of
the winter after Christmas, and where
he could live during the actual train
| ing period. Edgar Willett, ID II unr
derstood plans to do the same thing.
George Muilin also spoke OF trying
this plan.
Crawford has done no work what
ever so far this year to get into shape.
II fB too early 70 consider IL az this
itime OF the year anyway.
In spite OF the fact that Crawford
seems rather dubious as to the out.
come OF his present difference with
the Tiger president, all Tiger fans
hope that Sam can come TO an agree
ment with the club soon enough so
that his spring work will not be Inn
paired.
Crawford has recently been mem
toned as a first baseman for the Pf
gers, In case Del Gamers wrist does
not heal sufficiently to permit his best
work. Eddie. Onslow,s transfer to
Providence, leaves the Tigers without
this man to depend upon for that job.
and Sam is the most probable OF the
possibilities,
"Pll be glad to play anywhere Jen-
nings pats me-" said Crawford. Wed
nesday morning, 'as long as l get
what salary | want But | do have
this to say OF the Job at first base.
II Is the hardest position with the
least thanks of any on the team.
"A first baseman has TO get hum
dreds OF throws from every angle and
I'm every position with a man bearing
down on him at full speed. He can
get hundred catches and drop the
one that counts and he's panned to
cinder.
II remember one time at st. Louis
back In 1908 when Twas playing first
for the Tigers. Rossman had quit the
game The score was 2-1 In our favor
In the last OF the ninth inning with
two out and men on second and third.
Somebody popped ND a ny at
medium height TO me back or first I
ran back 10 get It. while the men on
second and third mechanically trotted
towards home and the crowd started
TO leave the field.
! Everybody was picking up ready
to leave the field when the ball vert
right between my hands and on the
ground. IL never touched me at all.
II was the only chance had
II threw Rossman's heavy first base
man y INIT oihocs O'Ch euS - eAe-
stand"
Crawford thinks that no man should
be asked to play first base without
being given plenty OF chance TO get
into shape for It and plenty Of time
for practice.
He considers the position the most
important on the team.
| Sam Crawfords threatened hold
out Is the second that have confront
ed the Tigers his year. Cobb and
Navin have not as yet come to az
understanding regarding salary fos
the coming year.
President Navin no doubt figures
that with last year poor season and
with the extra expense OF & mammoth
new plant, he Is not In position to
pay the fancy prices demanded by
baseball players OF this day and age.
4 Holdouts haven't boEered the
TIGERS In past years as they have
lson1e other clubs, however, and there
Is much confidence In Navin's ability
to win men over TO his way Of think.
ing
Rumors that DOME Bush Is to &c
ltraded. arc afioat They are given az.
tie credenct at the Tiger basebnl
teadqnarters. and that II the place
where such rumors can be most e.
isectiyely verified or disprofed
7 Dush didn't have the best year 81
his career last season. but there
seoms 10 be little cause for the stur5
THAT he Is 20 be traded unless soma
ether city Il starting H.
The Border league Is growing IN
Importance. Wednesday Richard
Jackson hac a conferences with Presi