The Detroit times., 1913-03-13
Both Club Management and
Player Are Apparently Not
Going To Bulge
SAM UNFORTUNATE IN
TIMING HIS DEMANDS
Poor Finish of Club Last Year,
Other H0lGOuts, and So On,
Detrimental


Crawford case is still puzzle.
AS Is generally known by those who
have followed the affair, President Ma
vim. OF. the Tigers, and Crawford had
a conference in Navin's private Office
at Detroit last December, which lasted
for long time and brought no result
except the announcement by Crawford
hat he didn't get promise Of the sal
arys he wanted for 1918.
II later leaked out that Sam wanted
! raise OF $l,V0h. In view of the fact
that the Tigers had finished sixth in
1912 and that the prospects were not
eood for place in the race In 1913
nd that Sam was getting all Navin
thought ne could afford to pay. Nav!n
refused the raise.
IL Is not known that the two meL
.s.ave seen each other since that time
but there has been correspondence be.
tween fhe two. or at least Crawford
has written to Navin, whether Navin
has replied or not.
After his demand was refused,
Crawford Went to New Orleans in the
interest OF scales company OF De
trOit, and he has been there for sew
c,al months. placing scales and work
ing out to be in shape for the 49,
ieason.
Here is where the puzzle part OF the
proposition Is very prominent.
What Is going to happen when
Crawford remains absolutely obstinate
and at the same time the Detroit man.
agement, stands as. absolutely pat in
its stand In refusing the increase?
II was thought that Crawford VIC
weaken when he saw his old team
mates coming across and when he saw
that the Tigers had some mighty good
looking outfeld prospects. especially
In Powell and High. But Sam re-
mains adamant.
From knowledge Of Sans disposi-
tion and from observance Of his man
ner In declaring that he will not sign,
Ii seems evident that he means what
he says when he announces that he ia
going back TO Detroit March 15. Yet,
on the other hand. the gossips around
he Tigers camp are agreed that the
chances that he will receive the raise
are about In so.
\. Manager Jennings can't see why
Sam Is working in New Orleans. keep
ing In shape, II he Is sincere In his In.
tention to remain out OF the game, for
he says he will not get the raise.
Crawford says he Is merely keeping
in, shape so that II anything happens
which makes II necessary for him to
Get into the game he will be ready.
He also suggests that he wouldn't
mind q transfer to some other club
It may be that this latter suggestion
will form the solution OF the matter.
There are several clubs who could use
Sam In fine shape In their outfields,
and there may be pitcher with one
Of these clubs that the Tigers would
be willing to take In trade. II IL
hardly likely that any player but a
pitcher would be considered unless II
IL some fast, and experienced inflelder
or outnelder better than one OF the
Tigers. Such q man would be mighty
hard to tind. 80 a pitcher q the most
logical choice. ~.
DR.. william Keane. the club physi-
clan. ran into Sam while he was over
at New Orleans on pleasure trip this
week. He says that Sam is In fine
shape physically.
Tho outf1elders who are seeking
places with the Tigers are between
the devil and the deep blue gulf In
this Crawford matter. II any one Of
them makes such q showing that he Is
likely to scare Sam into the fold right
away, the outfleld candidate may chase
himself out Of . job by his own good
work.
on tho other hand. II he doesn't
make the finest kind Of showing he
may sacrifice himself to the superior
exhibition Of some Of his rival candi.
dates here st 0ulfport and loaf him.
seh ont Of . job. OF course. the men
have taken the former course In pref.
erenCe to the latter.
Crawford was unfortunate In the
time that he decided to make his de-
mand1 Tor . raise. He and President
Navin haven't had any serious disa-
groements - 70 the salary question in
times past, II Sam had held out in
some past yea1 for more money, he
might have Tecedved IT
oa1m was unfortunate In the first
p1ooo "a tha1 he struck for q raise
WIN tAe Tigers had finished In sixth
plaoo and had spent . lot Of money
foR ~ usa = 1914, which did not
Nt ~ AN NJ