Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-28

best. The Chicago club let him 60 to Gin
cinnati that he might satisfy his am
bldons to be a manager. He made a
failure of his position and was sold to
Brooklyn with the understanding that he
should receive two-fifths of the purchase
price. That looks like pretty fair treat
ment, and it is hard to see where Tinker
has a kick coming.
The practice of major league clubs
carrying superannuated catcher who is
still active enough to get into uniform
ana aid III the development of young
pitchers has gone into almost general USE
Clark Griffith was one Of the first to
reahze the value of one Of these vet
Grams, and his first move when he took
charge of the Nationals was to engage
JACK Ryan, catcher of much experience.
Ryan has done splendid work here in the
past two years. He has not only been
instrumental in the development Of sew
eral youngsters, but he has been of help
to some Of the veterans.
McGraW of the Giants is going to be
busy filling the shoes of Wilbert Robin
son, who has branched out as man
ager, for it leaves the Giants without a
seasoned catcher, and to Robinson be-
longs the credit for the bringing forward
or Vanguard and Demaree. 1t is under
stood that the New York club is think
ing seriously of engaging Charley
c'Duke'') Farrell to fill Robinson's place.
old catcher, and Jack Warner, formerly
National, and Jack KIeinow, who was
the Yankees mainstay for years, are
mentioned for the position.
The remarkable record Of Fred Falken-
berg of the Cleveland club, who after
being sent to the minor leagues as being
worthless for fast company came back
and proved one of the most effective
pitchers in the league. has caused other
managers to recall veterans from the
minors in the hope that they will show
their old form
Frank Chance will have two of these
on his staff next spring King Cole
who few years ago was a sensational
performer with the Chicago Cubs, has
been obtained from the Columbus club
Of the American Association. He had a
splendid year there, and it is predicted
that he VIII prove winner for the
Dode Criss. who for years was pinch
hitter for the ST. Louis Browns, because
his pitching was not up to the standard.
spent a year or SO in Texas, where he
pitched, and his showing was SO good
that Chance also secured him One
thing about Crisis is that ii he fails as
pitcher he is apt to hold his job as d
pinch hitter, for he is a natural batter.
who is apt to break up game any
time he walks to the plato.
Notwithstanding the fact that all of
Manager Griffith's efforts TO secure a
seasoned outfielder have failed to date.
he still insists that he will get one be.
fore the season opens, Griffith is candid
enough to admit that he has no hope
OF getting a player who will be capable
enough to fill the shoes of one of his
present trio, but he will be player who
can be used for utility purposes III a
satisfactory way. Griff will have several
youngsters to develop, among them
Acosta and Spencer. but he wants d
seasoned player to use in the event that
regulars.
1t is not at all unlikely that Walter
Johnsen's career as pitcher VIII last
like Young. does not put his arm under
a severe strain when he works, and,
what is more. he takes as good care Of
himself as did the famous veteran.
Johnson's system of living is ideal. He
lives up to every rule during the playing
season and spends his entire winters on
his farm. Johnson is but twenty-five
years old. Good judges insist that he is
yet to see his best days as a pitcher
and that he should last for years.
The report that Jim McAleer is to be
financially interested in the Cleveland
Federal League club is not believed by
his friends. In the first place it is argued
trip with the Giants and Sox. is not i'll
touch with the situation, and further
more McAleer is not apt to go into any
scheme opposing organized base ball.
with which he has been connected for
thirty years.
McAleer undoubtedly made considerable
money out of his connection with the
Boston club and he is too shreWd bust
ness man to take any chances of losing
il In an outlaw base ball venture.
In Just about six weeks the first of the
players who are to prepare themselves
for next years campaign will start for
southern training camps. Several of the
major league teams plan to send their
pitchers into the camps as early as the
middle of February. Grif1th'S players
will not get in action until about the 9th
Of March, but Griff's team is always one
of the last to get to work, for he does
not believe that 1t requires more than
five weeks to prepare ball team for the
long campaign. Just how many players
Griffith will have in camp is not definite
" known He has a rather extensive
list to choose from right now, but 1t is
understood that he plans to farm num-
Der of his youngsters even before the
training period begins.