The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-31
training trip last spring did a lot of
damage to tn treasury.

training trip last spring did a lot of
damage to tn treasury.
While Manager Gear refuses to re-
| lease the name of the big league
| catcher he has signed it is violating
no confidence to say that the back
stopper has been in and out of the big
| leagues for the last four years. The
locals have every assurance that he is
a first class man. With Billings as re-
lief backstopper that end of the game
is taken care of, the management is
certain.
At first Gear says he has two men
for the taking who Will be as good as
last years first Sacker. If the place
is filed as we'll as "Rube'' would fill
it we will not raise any objection to
either of them. Ems, purchased from
Detroit, is expected to beat Jimmy
Walsh out of the second base job.
although this may prove to be some
undertaking. Navin thinks well of
Ems, whom he drafted last year, and
talks at times of recalling the Topeka
deal aid using the youngster himself
French, the former Sioux City player,
is believed to have the shortfield place
cinched.
Third place is another problem.
Gear has kept close tab on Mcdonald
all winter and the husky athlete
>
a different style this year. OF course
they all talk that way in the spring.
Gear is confident that Mcdonald will
make one of the best in the league
this year. If he does this Big Mac
will have to undergo a mighty change.
But perhaps he'll do it. There are
other candidates for the hot corner
and some of them will grab the job
if Mac doesn't show more stuff than
he had last year.
In the outfeld, Lee is the only fix
ture. He will play in the left garden
and there isn't much doubt that he'll
do a good job of it. Started at short,
sent to the sun garden and at last TO
left field, he developed rapidly as the
season progressed. He's lightning fast,
a hard hitter and good at getting on
and running bases. The management
believes he will make one of the best
outfielders in the league by fall. King
is likely to be used in trade that IS
now pending, according to gossip
around headquarters and Bashang
will probably be returned to Detroit.
In the opinion of the manager the
Detroiter failed to show that he was
exactly what the Topekans needed
and Gear would rather have some
one else in the sun field. Two out
field positions are thus left to be filled.
Beyond recruits who are hardly eX-
pected TO show class for this league
this year no one has yet been signed
for these places. Deals are pending,
however, for men of worth for both
the sun garden and the centerheld
job. One of these deals involves the
trading of King. Charles Block, an
outfielders recruited from the Nebras-
ka State League, will also try for one
of these places.
Gear believes he will start the season
with five good pitchers. Reynolds, tins
big recruit purchased from Minneapolis
last year, should be a great one this sea-
games last year with the 1912 team be
hind him and with poor catching. He
this stunt. Gear believes that Cocreham,
who pitched a one hit game in OMAHA
late last fall and the next week came
back with a two hit affair in Denver.
will be great guns this year. Cochran
has also persuaded the manager that he
can pitch winning ball this season NJ
Gehee. the Cotton States League wonder,
is on the staff and according to ap-
p-rently reliable information should make
ton, the best of the New England League
pitchers last season, has signed and re-
ports from the east cause happiness here
when his work is considered. McCullouSh
is another likely candidate for mound
honorS.
The King deal is still tied up. Johnny
wants the Kaws, no doubt of that. But
Johnny wants some one to give him the
club, guarantee MIN against any loss and
ay him salary for running it, it seems, |
rom his remarks to the directors. Killing
you'd take the local team out of the rut
nd every team in the Western League
ould make money by the presence of the
ailliardist. He would make money here
and everywhere else.
According to reports received here there
is going to be lot of trading this year
in the Western League. Denver, Sioux
City and Des Moines have men they waI;r
to dispose OF. Some of them are good !
men who come high and will have to be
disposed of to get under the salary limit /
BAKER SQUAD BACK HOME.