Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-23
BY j. ED GRILLO.

This is ~ cobb's last year under The
81, CO. contract. which he signed three
years ago. with :he Detroit club. Before
the great player dons a uniform next
spring he will have 20 he signed to a new
agreement. and il is needless TO say that
this will call COR decidedly more salary
tran ile is at present drawing.
There is considerable speculation among
ball players and base ball men as to the
amount Cobb will demand in his next
contract. but that il viii call for for
mida BILE increase is generally conceded.
Cobb Is just as good a ball player now as
he was three years ago. In fact, he is
probably better. though being with los
!. ing team handicaps him TO a certain ex-
Stent. But it is MOI his ability which di-
rectly demands an increase. but the fact
faat Cobb Is today the greatest drawing
card in base ball. There is no doubt that
Cobb as an Individual draws something
like Sso,oo into the Golfers OF the Detroit
club during a season There are other
players who possess a drawing capacity.
but none Of them compares with Cobb. and
this must be taken into consideration
when the new contract comes Up for dis
tusson.
Cobb is mum on the subject, only TO
say that If he plays next year he will be
we'll paved While there is nothing au-
fNeDtic II,
proposes TO demand a three-year contract
which Calls for $1,000. a figure by no
means exorbitant when his ability as
player and his drawing proclivities are
taken into consideration.
When a ball team reaches that stage
where its only interest lies in the shar-
ing OF the worlds series receipts, II be-
comes a hard task for the man in charge
TO keep up its spirit. When players have
had couple of thousand dollars handed
them after the season IS over they lose
interest as soon as they see tbs prize
slipping away from them They realize
that they are drawing as big salaries as
il is poss bic for them To get. and there
remains incentive for them to hustle.
II Is this cond ton which is said to be
respOnS. bic tor the rather disappointing
showing which the Ath!etics have made
70 date. There are too many players on
Macks team who possess automobiles
and other forms of amusement while the
playing of games is considered more Of
an annoyance than the pleasure it used TO
The protest. which Is said TO have been
filed by Managers Callahan. Stovsll and
Davis against the retention Of Umpire
WeStervelt on the American League staff
il sure ~ have some eject with Tres dent
Ian Johnson. " is not Likely, however,
;,st WesterVcit win 10 dismissed i'm
tnediatoly as A rrsalt Of this protest.
H-adS Of leagues cannot afford 10 be in
fIenced by fhr complaints Of managers
and players against members OF their
Umpire Staft. If that were the case, every
time q ball game lost as q result OF y
decision the head ~ II" umpire wing the
decision would y, demanded Johnson,
however, can get good line on Wester-
yeIt By making Inquiries Of the umpircs
b. has worked with, for they are per
haps IN better position 10 judsc his
ability than any one else.
From this out Boston. Washington and
the Athletics have virtually the same
teams 20 play before the season comes to
= close. fgoE now &c the end OF Au-
gust the three contenderS for the pennant
VIII hs stacked up against all the western
teams and II remains To be seen which
one - them can make the most head
way against these teams. On what the
Nationals have shown against the west
this season Their chances seem To be as
GOOD As any or their rivals, for on form,
the western teams have not improved
Chicago and Cleveland. In fact are. not
going a. good now as they did earlier in
the reason, and While Detroit shows a
flash non and then. that team cannot be
considered dangerous as X is now made
Up.
II * also reasonable 10 presume that
ere long the teams which have proven
failures IN the present eOrnpaien VII be-
gin experimenting. thus probably becom-
ing weaker than thry have been because
Of playing many inexperienced PLAYERS.
mere Is put one thing to fear so far
as the Nationals are concerned and that
Is accident which would weaken the. team
II il remains intact TO the end of the
reason IL should be able To more than
hold It's own. for. with more than half the
season over IL has proven itself SUPERB;
10 a large majority Of its rivals and ella &c
is sure 10 tell N E slx-month campaign
Whenever a PLAYER demonstrates ability
rs 4 hitter he lands a chance 10 re-
main In fast company even though he
has other failings. Jack I.eliyelt :. Is
said. will return 10 the big show this
fall. New York having cast a Inc for
him. and Jack is sure to make good for
the reason that he is one OF the best hit
:ers 10 be found anywhere. \ player who
can hit over 800 Is sure 10 be of value
20 a team. He Is certain to have three
four chances at the bat every day
where he may not have an opportunity "a
do a thing IN the field. Hitters of the
I.eii-eit type are horn, not made and his
srility a hitter should have held hin
IN fast company. instead or his bein.
sent 10 the minors.
II IL up 10 the Detroit Club TO build a