The Detroit times., 1913-03-05
Sam Seems to be in Deadly Earn
est in Threats to Return
to Detroit
JAY KIRKE MAY BE
MADE BRAVE CATCHER
Former Tiger Has Grown 4 Good
Deal Since Employed
in Detroit
BY RALPH Il. YONKER.

GULFPORT, Miss, March Sam
Crawford remains the only real Tiger
hold-out, IL he may be called such, at
this stage of the game.
Crawford was adamant when seen
in New Orleans. He said he didn't
care II every man on the club but he
was satisfied with the terms offered.
He wasn't satisfied and wouldn't be
until his salary had been advanced
from the $1,000 he has been receiv-
ing to $4,000.
Crawford seemed to be In fine con-
dition In Sundays game. He was
3 given no chance whatever to distin-
guish himself The hrst two times
at bat, he was passed purpOsely In
order that the man following him
might be copped. and both times the
ruse worked. Sam hi' one through
the box for scratch single the third
time at bat, and sailed one over the
left fielder's head for two sacks the
fourth time up. The official scorer
couldn't be found to decide whether
it was hit for Sam or an error for
the fielder.
Crawford Is lighter now than he
was at the beginning Of last season,
and says that he feels better He has
been working out once or twice a
week besides playing every Sunday.
He planned to work out with the Peli-
cans at their New Orleans park until
March Is, when ne will. go home II he
and Navin haven't come to terms.
Sam Is placing scales and says, he
will probably 60 east for the manu-
facturers Of the scales which are
made In Detroit.
Sam evidently hopes to be able to
clay the game this coming season. but
III he u biuffing on his assertion that
he will quit unless he Is given his
raise. he is putting up very gooo
Sluf. He certainly doesn't seem to
be worrying.
From the way President Navin AMI
Manager Jennings have acted, IL
seems equally as certain that they
are not bluffing wheE they say that
Crawford shall not have the raise.
so the affair promises to furnish one
of the prettiest hold.out battles
staged in some time. unless the tt.
gers find that they do not need Craw-
ford and let him go to some other
club. The Detroit club doesn't have
20 do this, but it probably would II
Il developed an outfielder to take
Sans place.
Crawford says that II he leaves
Detroit, he would prefer to go to
Washington. He says that Clark Grill
9Th IL strong for him.
Crawford casts about some dire
hints as to the part the baseball IRA
fernity will play in the affair, in case
this comes TO climax, and CRAWFORD
must sign at less than he thinks ne
deserves, or quit the game.
or the holdout subject, "Wahoo' is
more loquacious. He picks the Attn
letics to win the n6kt American
league championship. agreeing with
many other competent ! judges. He
fears the Red Soy because OF the
prestige they have. but won't concede
the Nationals a chance.
"The Nationals were going at top
speed all together last year" says
Crawford. 81 don't believe that they
can do It again. II any OF them
slows M. IL means that the whole
team will be slowed up"
Jay Kirke. whom the Tigers had
few years ago. has grown great
deal. He now weighs over 200 pounds
and II not fat.
They are trying to make catcher
OF Kirke. Jay has always been q
great hitter, but there seemed to be
no place on any team for him to play
regularly.
He is with the Boston Nationals
raining at Athens, Ca. now. He picks
the pirates to win the National league
pennant.