Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-26
PART II.

early in the fall In it he expressed sympathy
the fact that my father had lost his fortune and
that | would be unable to continue my college career
He added that he had always regretted his inability to
finish his education college. He suggested, however
that might be able to help out the family through the
medium of baseball
Incosed in the letter was a contract calling for
salary of fifteen hundred dollars and with instructions
for report to him in February for the annual spring
training trip.
was somewhat disappointed at the salary, as had
been under the impression that big league players got
more money than that At any rate signed the
tract and later found that nearly all players
signed for fifteen hundred dollars and that there
definite business reason for It, In drafting
PLAYER from minor league club the big league manager
has to pay fifteen hundred dollars more for the
change If these drafted players do not make good,
they sent back to the minors When the recruit is
taken back to the Minors the contract with the big
league has to be carried out that year Very few
minor league clubs afford to pay than fifteen
hundred dollars year salary for player and conse-
quently they will not contract that calls tor
more than that amount Therefore, the big league club
does usually sign untred man for more than f-
teen hundred dollars because it would be difficult get
rid of him without big loss case he failed OF course
the player could be released Internationally; but IN
that the original purchase price would be lost
tirey and the manager would have no way OF keeping
an eye on the young fellow for the future.
When understood all this, | was satisfied 1t made
me all the ambitious to make good the first year
that should get larger salary the second
When | packing up my things to start on the
most eventful trip of my life, little Red Dugan, the
trainers assistant rubber at college, called on me and
of conduct in the big league. This tough little fellow
who had given such excellent advice about how to
take of my arm, took it upon himself to steer
right he expressed it. His suggestions all proved
beneficial.
If them players start kid you he advised, ~take
it and grin When you get to yourself, kid right
back at them Never let ball player have anything
you. Them professional players like fellow who
fights back, and unless you show the old pep they'll peg
you for a dead But don't get fresh with them old
timers They like the seniors in college, and remember
that yous a freshman in that business.
thought this very carefully as sat in the train
that was taking to New York. Later found this
little philosopher shave the right DOPE, he always
said
7 T would be difficult to explain my feelings walked
hand. All of sudden it dawned upon me that was
sentiment and the enthusiasm displayed when player
The business atmosphere of the place seemed to chill
and nobody remembered that had pitched and
the big college game of the summer before.
The secretary polite OF the business world
but he did not look upon a baseball hero. He
merely shook hands, wrote down my permanent adj
dress, and told be at the Grand Central Station
the next afternoon at four o'clock
Don't bring any excess baggage with you he adj
vised for we have about all carry the party
ticket
In few days discovered that only the veteran
carry trunks and other heavy baggage with them in the