New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-04
TIMELY BITS OF SPORT
Three Hardest HitterS OF the
Giants Now in Line.
YANKEES SURE OF SWEENEY
Hank O'Day Decides to Join the
Umpire Staff of the Amer
lean League.

John j. McGraw is not losing much sleep
through the fear that some of the main
cogs in his machine will be laid low by
the hold-Out fever The contract Of Fred
Merkle came drifting into the headquar-
tiers of the Giants yesterday, making the
roster of the main artillery complete. as
Doyle and Meyers are tied up for long
terms. The valiant first baseman turned
in lusty batting average of .3O9 last
season and hanked on either side OF the
batting order by Larry Doyle, with 800
mark and Meyers, with .35S. he is one
OF the most potent run scoring factors
I on the team.
! Placed as he is in the list he can score
Larry DOYLE with hit or count himself
on safety by Meyers, so he is in the
scoring much of the time. Perhaps all
the talk about Jam Thorpe being candi-
date for first base honors had something
TO do with Merkle's sudden display of ac-
tivity. AS a rule the veterans keep their
contracts around the house until just be-
fore starting for the South. While often
they have no intention Of becoming hold
outs they take plenty of time to think
things over.
Two of the youngsters also came into
line yesterday. Claude Cooper Of the
Fort Worth team, of the Texas League,
and Robertson were the men. Cooper
/ is an outfielder who had batting aver
age of 267 last season and fielding aver
age Of 49, Robertson is the young pitch
CT who Joined the Giants last summer.
There has been some talk OF giving him
a trial in the outfield.
Big Ed Sweeney. the star catcher OF
! the Yankees. has signed contract Tor
! the coming season. He caught 40 games
last year and threw out more base run
ners than any other backstop in the
American League. He has written to
Chance that he is anxious TO catch In
every game and expects 10 hit over 200
per cent, as last season he boosted his
average forty points over that of 1911.
Sweeney has been attending TO his gar
age in Chicago all winter. He met
Chance while the latter was in that city
/ in December and assured the new man
agcr that lac would play the game of his
NE Sweeney did not fuss over the terms
offered. but signed his contract as soon
as he received IL, which was in striking
contrast to last year. whom he held out
until the pcnnant race was well under
way.
Roy Hart2cn who has been in business
here since last fall. has received pormis-
sion from President Farrell to accom-
pany Arthur Irwin. business manager OF
the Yankees 10 Pcrmuda on February
Is Hartzell wants TO work for two weeks
before the other players arrive at the
training camp.
/ Hank O'Day has definitely decided TO
go back to the job at which he shines
and will be an umpire in tire American
/ League according 10 his friends I'm Chi
cago. He will be better equipped than
ever T. administer justice on the dla-
mond having been mark for the sings
and arrows Of the chronic outraged
! fans" of Cincinnati FOR almost fun
wear. As manager OF the Reds ODay
/ learned that the life OF An umpire. while
not a bed OF roses. is TO be preferred.
/ lie made his name III the National
! League. but now finds Ban Johnson
| offer the most SatiSiyihE
! O'Dav has A grievance which involves
1900 lie SAYS a bonus for that amount
was promised 10 him by August Herr
mann IL the Reds finished in the hrst
division and he is beginning TO wonder
where the money is.
Jimmy Callahan. manager OF the 'hl-
! cago White SoX. denies the report that
| Frank Chance had been angling for Harr!
Lord with a good chance of hooking tho
brilliant third baseman for the yankees
BY using Hartzel Caldwell and Martin as
bait. He SAYS the gossip grew out OF "A
request by Chance TO put price on Ber-
ger the promising shortstop.
| Arthur Fletcher, shortstop Of the Giants,
has been playing left guard OH the Ne"
York Nationals. one of the strongest bas-
ketbalI teams in Toledo, this winter.
/ Artie Hoffman. the outiielder traded last
summer by the Chicago Cubs 10 the Pitts
burgh Pirates. has turned in his signed
contract Hoffman suffered from several
nervous breakdowns last season. and on
/ two occasions was 1olteu 10 ledNt lhe
| Pirates for his home. Circus Solly' has
regained his good health. and expects TO
make the outfield with Wilson and Carey.
| Fred Snodgrass outfelder OF the Giants,
predicts that the National League pen
| nant lies between the Giants and the
Phillles II is refreshing for somebody to
/ suggest a team other than the Pirates.
/ TO give the Giants a fight.
! Roy Walker. the young pitcher OF the
/ Cleveland team. who is serving a ninety
DAY sentence In the Nashville Jail, re-
ceived contract from the Maps In his
cell few days ago. The terms are
satisfactory and he Will sign In few
days Walker will be released about
March 10, which will give him ample time
| TO get into condition.
Charley Doom. manager OF the Phllie.,
in trying to strengthen his catching STAFF.
have purchased Dan Howley from the
Portland club Of the Pacific Coast League.
A LOSS TO THE YALE NINE
Ryan Injuries Ankle While