Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-17
nERTMENT CONTENT
.XSsHappenin&$S Sportdom

q chance to show in fast company. But
1t was the players who came up for triai
who made the teams showing possible
But seldom in base ball history has a
team leaped from a tail-end position to a
pennant contender in a single year 1t
was q stroke OF good fortune. OF that
there is no doubt, though the competent
manner in which the team was hand ed
deserves q lot OF credit. Some OF the
New York critics figure that Chance may
duplicate Grifiith's performance with the
Highlanders. though that is hardly pos
sible. for the reason that Chance will not
did Griffith. G.ifith inherited two crack
ing young catchers. the best pitcher In
the league. one Of the best outfielders
and q really great shortstop. and then
was fortunate enough to pick up compe-
tent youngsters for the other positions.
This made a strong combination. and II
he can be just half as fortunate in the
selection OF his new material this spring
his team will be still stronger and nat
ural,y have q better chance.
In failing to uphold Immediately the
Bresnahan contract and force the st.
Louis club TO- pay all that 1t agreed to
the player the National League has dealt
base bah serious slap II that contract
was entered into by both parties con-
cerned there ought to be no way of
breaking It. The very foundation Of the
game is built on the contract with the
player. not the magnate, that has made
t possible for the sport to succeed and
prosper. II contracts could be violated
whenever a player felt like it base ball
would not exist year. yet the National
League places itself In position Of not
recognising a contract In which one Of its
club members has entered. There shou
be no occasion for arbitration or a long,
drawn-out squabble about the Bresna-
han contract. II the st. Louis club Off
Ho q 0f
be carried out. All that the National
League should have done was to deter
mine the genuineness OF the document
and then order it to be valid and in
struct the club to make good.
This new probationary contract which
the major leagues are forced to submit
to the players purchased and drafted is
going to be short lived. The new order
OF things IL going to make trouble sooner
ICED.
This contract gives the player only
Is per cent increase In salary over what
he received in the minors. and the con-
This means that in the event of a player
making good during that period the club
for which he il playing must enter into
a new contract with him and the argu-
ment Of salary. which is usually always
Strengthened out before the season opens
may come at a time when harmony IL
most desired and bring about condition
which is detrimental to the team.
Incidentally. the young player who is
drafted or purchased and has been play
ing in a small league at a low salary will
not feel much encouraged when he re-
ceives his first major league contract and
finds that he q raised but few dollars.
This rule was passed for the protection
Of the minor leagues, who claim to have
trouble satisfying the players who 60 up
to the majors at an increased salary and
good. But no rule or change Of system
was necessary to combat this annoyance
for it stands to reason that If a player
expects an increase when he comes to
the majors he should expect a cut when
by reason Of his incompetencS he is re.
turned to the minors.