New-York tribune., 1912-01-08
COMMENT ON SPORTS
Time Has Come to Take Hats
off" to Charles H. EbbetS.
TICKET CASE NOW BURIED
Disappointment Over Crushing
Lawn Tennis Defeat Leads
to Hard Words.

W AldI u " "a N1P'
One day last summer, when the SUPER
has were struggling along close to last
place In the Natioral League pennant race
and unfavorable criticism was being heaped
. on the players, club and Arrangements
Charles II. Ebbe.s chief owner ot the
team, said: Il am working hard anu spend
ing money TO get better results ana
champiorshi nine. and | will 20 on work
ing hoping that the time will come when
the fans in Prooklyn viii take their ha's
off 10 me ard my club" This was not said
IN Il hoastful way. although some persons
made free TO aooert II as a jest. The
fans" IN Brooklyn may not be ready TO
take their hats off to Mr.. Ebbets. but III
my opinion. they have reason to do 50 af-
ter his announcement last Tuesday nlSht
that q new home for the Superbas would
be built and opened this year that would
be second TO none In the country, and at
cost OF close to Sl.0OO,0)0 1t co not be
said that Mr.. Ebbets is lacking in conii-
dence either In the "fars' or his team Ills
boldness in. making such a big investment
after several lean years is deserving or
success. He has the utmost faith In the
loyalty Of those who love baseball across
the Bridge ard he has reason for it, too,
ss he himself says, and as have empha-
sized in this column on more than one oc-
casion' In the last two or three years. With
the support that he counts on so confident
" success Is sure TO come, and With II no
doubt National League pennant, and per-
haps a worlds championship in time.
Personally. I congratulate Mr.. Ebbets on
I11,, Iy-yYgh n
and Frank J. Farrell have done for New
York. One must admire his nerve and
forethought. for the way now is paved for
the crowd which will be sure 10 flock to
the Flatbush section II Bill Dahlen is able
to put winning team on the field within
the next two or three years. Mr.. Ebbets
was fortunate in his selection Of site just
east OF Prospect Park and so near the geo
graphical centre of the borough. II Will lie
easier Of access TO lower Manhattan than
the Polo Grounds or the new nome OF the
Yankees, up near Van Cortlandt PARK
which also has been promised this year so
that all that is needed is championship
team to make the investment pay a thou
sandfold
II is hard to satisfy everybody. and
was moved TO wonder at one close follower
Of the game who criticised Mr. Ebbets for
not spending the money he is putting IN
new grounds on players to strengthen DIS
team. The remark showed unfam!harV
with conditions that was amazing in one
that is supposed to know 50 much ABOUT
baseball and the building Of teams. 1t re-
minds me of story heard some time ago
about an owner Of a big league team who
frFs Tli
buv nlayers to strengthen and improve his
team. This owner turned 10 his raducer
and quietly asked if he cared to make
$1,000 or $4,000. Il will pay YOU that
amount" he added, If you will go out and
get me the players necessary TO strengthen
nv team. and. Furthermore. l will give you
3 free hand in the amount of money you
can spend to secure them" The man VINO
was so free to critcise jumped at the
chance but after three weeks ne went to
the office of the owner and SAID " heio
am going to get those players you need
The owner smiled and answered. I'D.
what have been trying to find out for the
last thee years"
The absurd price Of S., 800 paid for Marty
o'Toole by the Pittsburgh Pra.es last IA"
Is an indication how hard ii is to buy star
nlayers when players are needed. MT
Fbbefs is quite as ready as the next owner
TO stIergtlen his team IL someLocy can
show him how and where 1t can be done
at any reasonable price Those who ran
AGAINST clubs which are Struggling alo-S
in the ruck fail to realize that the owner
is more interested financially than the
fans" in having winning team II
is the winning team that pays. The taIl-
enders are lucky to break even.
There is reason for satisfaction in the
absolute acouittal of the New York al
philadelphia clubs on the charge OF COL
Iusion with speculatCTs over the sale OF
tickets for the worlds C. ampionship base
bau series last october. 1t is safe to say
that some skeptics are not convinced aho
look upon the report of the National COM
mission as a pure case OF whitewash. Be
,bst as If may. all fair minded sportsmen
,yju accent the ruling. while the New
York Giants and the Philadelphia Attn
ietics will begin a new season without a'E
shadow langing over their heads. That
tbere was much speculation In tickets no.
body questions; that there Was any '''-
lusIon many wero quite willing to DOUBT
even in the face of Ban Johnson charges
and assertions. which as 1t turned out ne
was unable to prove. II begins 10 looh dS
,g the troublous baseball waters had
Gained down. and that the MAJOR league
remnant races for 1872 would be iauhchcu
on smooth seas II is well.
AtiTOMoRII ES