Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-19
BY j. ED GRILLO.

There have been so many conflicting
reports about Chances going to New
York that it is hard Ia make head
tail out of all that has been printed. The
latest is that the Cincinnati club has not
Vet released Chance. and that Garry
Hermann is ignorant as to any deal
which Will send the former Cub leader
TO the HighlanderS. One day Chance
and Farrell or to meet to talk business
and the next day the conference Is called
on and Chance is quoted as saying that
he might not accept the position at all.
The chances arc. of course. that in due
time matters viii straighten themselves
out ChaIidei is not apt TO overlook an
opportunity such as the New York propo-
sftion Offers. 1t Will give him a great
chance 10 take slap at Murphy and in
cldentally to prove that he is still capa-
Die OF handlin@ team Any sort of a
showing he may make with the New
York team will aid to his reputation as
manager. and il might be sad in this
connection that there is a good chance
10 mold fair ball team out of the ma
terfal which will be turned over to him.
Just where the report started that
Hermann had not released Chance is
not known. but there appears TO be no
foundation for IL since President Lynch
OF pne National League is quoted as say
Ing that Chances release will be promul-
gated within the next few days and that
he 10 even now free againt and at lib
erty TO sign with any club he may choose.
All that has ever been claimed for the
Nationals is that they look to have a good
chance in the next pennant race. This,
OF course. is based on the fact that the
team finished second last year. when it
started into the campa gn with lot of
unknown material 1t is d hazardous I'M
dertak1ng TO try to pick the winner Of
a pennant during the winter months yet
II Is often possible to select some of the
contenders. and the showing of the Ma
tomas last year warrants the team being
put In that class
1t does not pay TO take anything for
granted. however. There are so many
things which can happen during a season
which Will upset all dope. and there never
was a team. which met with success
which did not have more than its share
OF the smiles from Dame Fortune Odds
OF course, are against WASHINGTON WIN
ming the pennant, but that same condi-
ton exists so far as any other team in
the race is concerned. All that has ever
been claimed for Griffith's team IS that
on last years performance II stands a
chance to finish at the top next season.
but. Of course. there is nothing certain
about II.
Hughey Jennings admits that there is
not a chance for the Tigers 10 finish bet
ter than fourth next season. He saws
that Boston, Washington and Philadel-
phia are sure to beat him out, and he
calls attention to the fact tina: both Bos-
ton and Washington should be stronger
next season than they were last.
Being made up of young players, he
says that these should show much i'm
provement after a years campaigning
and he points out that this is particularly
true Of Grifiths team.
BY predicting that he canno; finish
higher than fourth. jennings is playins
safe. 1t would be foolish for him to hold
out hope of a pennant or anything near
II with a team which he knows will be
largely experimental Disappointment
would follow which would serve to gel
him in bad, while if he holds out but lit.
tie hope and the unexpected should hap