Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-07
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21shappenin&$s1 Sportdom
BY J. ED GRILLo.

The ruling Of the national commission to
prevent a player coming from the minors
to the majors from receiving more than
Is per cent increase does not apply to
outright purchased players. it seems.
This rule, according to the latest inter-
probation, refers only to players who
come UP on an optional deal. For IN
stance, if club pays a certain sum Tor
player and agrees to make another pay
ment by a certain date or return the
player, it shall not pay such player more
than IS per cent more salary than he re-
ceived in the minor league. This seems
a much more reasonable rule than as 1t
was first construed. There is no reason
why there should be legislation as to
players salary once club has secured
hand there is good ground for limitation
if there is a chance for the player to be
returned to the club from which he was
secured. There have been SO many in
stances were players purchased under
agreements as mentioned and signed for
enormous advanced salary who have
failed, and then when they were turned
back have kicked over the traces when
the minor league club attempted to bring
their salaries down to where they were
before the major league club medd ed
with them. The new rule is a protection
for the minor league clubs, and appears
to be just.
There Is no cause for enthusing over
the prospects of the white race regaining
pugilistic supremacy as a result Of the
match made between Jack Johnson and
Jim FLYNN, the Pueblo fireman. On form
Flynn has about as much right to tackle
Johnson as would Tommy Lowe or some
other local celebrity. and if the bout is
on the square and there is no reason for
believing that Johnson would enter into
prearranged affair. it should be short and
sweet, with Johnson the winner.
II was perhaps wise move to insert In
the articles of agreement that Doth con-
testants refrain from engaging In any
has anything to fear, but it is not at all
unlikely that one Of the many white hopes
now towering about might land on FVnn
and nut him into dreamland. Flynn is by
no means immune from the knockout. lie
has gone this route on several occasions
and johnson numbers him among Ms nu-
merous victims.
There is reason for congratulating the
It's + si nresident Tom Chivington, for term of
five years. If the leading minor league
had adopted this system years ago t
would have saved itself a lot OF strife and
unfleasantness for many years II Is I'M
nossibIe for a man at the head OF base
bali organization, such as the assoctat. on
mentioned, to give satisfaction If he Is In
Office but for a single year and mas to Inquire
out how to retain his position the Following
term. The association has grown too
powerful to be constantly finding itself
n internal conflict over the election of
president, 1t would be well for the Ma
tional League to take notice and follow in
the wake.
There are sure to be lot of doubling
Thomases developed anent the Johnson
Flynn fight because of the connection
with the affair of Jack Curley. who ap-
pears to be the prime promoter IN the pro.
was Curley who brought about the Gotch-
Hackenschmidt wrestling bout Few
months ago. which proved such fasco
that it is worth ones rs me TO even r,a men
purely a Snowman. and they are not al
ways SO particular about details so long
as the turnstiles do their share Of click
ing.
It would be possible to line up one of
the strongest teams in the country made
up entirely from players who have been
turned down by one or more major league
clubs and vet are numbered among the
stars. Keen-eyed scouts and managers
not infreuuently overlook real ball play
err simply because he happens to be going
poorly at the time that he was being OBJ
served. Here is a list or few players
who were discarded once or twice and are
still numbered among the good ball play
ers OF the majors:
Catchers-Archer released by DetroiO,
Thomas Cfrom the Yanks).
Pitchers-OToole (cut adIift by Cincy
and BOSTON,, Ford Nurned back by
Yanks). Suggs released by Detrofp. Keefe
(released by Yanks).
First base-Daubert released by Cleve-
land).
Second base-Neal Ball released by
Yanks).
Third base-Mowrey (cut adrift by
Reds).
Outfield-Jackson (turned back by Ath-
1eticsl Cree (turped hack by Detroit