Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-06
BY j. ED GRILLO.

e. dIley Murphy made an effort To Se-
cg,r,. Jim Thorpe after McGraw had sign
81 him. Murphy got the tip that Thorpe
was being carried on the reserve list of
the Fayetteville club of the defunct East
ern Carolina Lea CUE, and when the an
nouncement was made-that McGraw had
signed the Indian Murphy wrote to Presi-
dent Napier of The Lafayette club ask 9
him to name a figure for Thorpe. About
the same time that the letter arrived
came the decision from Secretary Farrell
of the minor leagues to the effect that
Fayetteville reserve on Thorpe was not
valid and of course that ended it so far
as Murphy was concerned. s5
If the Fayetteville claim had been sub
stantiated Murphy would probably have
purchased Thorpe and New York could
not have played him. as result of which
there would have been a row between
Murphy and McGraw.
Murphy has been unusually quiet of
late. but he would have been in the lime
light again had he been able to get
Thorpe away from McGraw.
At the annual meeting of the American
League, held in Chicago, in December.
there were no deals made, but 1T is pre-
dicted that there will be several swaps
cOnsummated during the gathering of the
club owners in New York next week. But
the days of trading playing material nave
about passed during the last few years
and there is not apt TO be a revival OF
the practice.
IL is not so many years ago when it was
possible for one club to buy the stars
of a rival During the regime of the
Wagners in Washington every time a
capable player was developed he was put
ON the market, with the result, of course,
that the team was chronic tai-ender.
In those days it was figured a wise policy
to sell. players TO make up for deficits,
but the value of "a winning team in those
DAYS was not as great as il Is now.
winner in any of the cities of a major
league circuit is worth a fortune and
for this reason the big league clubs are
not selling their stars, but are striving to
get formidable teams.
The American League is i'm fair way
to lead in another department of the
game the coming season, in that IL Will
have a much superior staff of umpires
compared to that of its rival. The addi-
ton of Hank O'Day gives Ban Johnson
one of the best staffs in the history OF
base ball.
Billy Evans Hank O'Day. Tommy Con
nelly. silk O'Loughlin and Bill Dineer
make up strong combination. and there
should be decidedly few protests from the
players the coming season ODay was
wise not TO return to the National League
where his failure to manage the Cincin
natl team would have subjected him to {
Let of criticism. But Hank Is Sred
umpire. there is no doubt about that. anC
his acquisition gives Johnson the creates
staff of umpires that the game has evel
known.
According to reports from New Horl
Frank Chance proposes to install him
self at first base from the time the team
goes in training. and if he can stand the
strain he proposes to remain there al
season. This means the shifting of Ha
Chase to second base, where he may de
velop into just as marvellous a fielder a
he proved at first. If Chance has recoV
cred his health. as has been asserted, m
VIII be of great help to his team as
player. Incidentally il will help hin
from the standpoint of a leader. for all HI
success a. a manager was when he Wa
n member of the team That New Yorl
team. judged on past performances. need
a field leader worse than anything else
and for this reason. no doubt. Chance
gong To- make an effort 10 play.
Games at the Chicago National I.eagu
grounds next season will be called at
o'clock. according TO an annOunCemer
made by Charley Murphy There ma
been much agitation for early games dun
ing the last year or so. and in most elite
the time for starting has been advanced
but it remains for Murphy TO make ref