The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-03-02
Press Agent the Man Who
Makes Ball Magnates Rich
organized Sport Has Degener.ted Into Show Business
Advertising l. Source of Box Office Profits
BY w. J. MACBETH.

to meet Farrell, there was a new
wheeze of publicity that never once
ended until the Peerless Leader ar
rived from the coast TO take the To-
cal helm. In fact the buzz hasn't
subsided yet, nor is It likely to un-
til Chance has had every opportunity
to vindicate his managerial abilities
In Ban Johnson's circuit
In connection with this same
Chance deal It may be mentioned In
passing that what appeared the first
real break IN luck seemed to have
started the way OF Frank Farrell
Before Frank Chance was secured,
the Hilltop club president effected an
agreement with President Hampstead
OF the Giants to utilize the Polo
grounds for all local American league
games this season. 1t was. there
fore. rather a disappointing draft
for the Giant mana cement to see the
rival getting so much boosting when
the two clubs would share the same
ground. So McGraw bided his time
In anticipation OF some counter.
The opportunity came with the
professionalizing of Jim Thorpe, the
wonderful Carlisle Indian school
star and hero Of the Olympic games
McGraw sneaked in while several
big league scouts were mapping at
cured this wonderful athlete for the
Giants. Now. while he Will not ad-
init II, there is little doubt that Nc
Graw at first figured seriously on
the Indians baseball ability. He
may have, of course. But IT is more
than likely that Mac realized the ad-
vertising value OF Thorpe. Here
was d man In whom the whole world
was Interested
Whether or not he might be able
to play or develop In the game, he
was a great drawing card-to begin
with, as great If not greater than
any star OF the diamond. McGraw
realized that in the first swing
around the circuit he would have at
tracted through Thorpe more tnan
enough money to pay all the expenses
OF securing him. And. In addition.
he WAS getting perfect type of
physical manhood in which there lay
latent possibilities that might pan
out If Thorpe had not been profess
sionulized, McGraw would never
have gone after him. Professional
lied, he was advertised into one Of
the greatest possible drawing cards.
Thorpe may become a great player.
and II so, McGraw will have as re-
suit such an attraction as cannot be
computed IN dollars and cents. He
may fail, and II so, will be good for
no more than one season.
sChance, OF course. Is going to be
a big card for years 10 come. If he
has left none of his managerial abil-
tiles with c. w. Murphy Wherefore,
McGraw did not feel like resting on
his oars after he caralled the alb
origine. He had other tricks up his
sleeve.
One OF these WAS the engagement
OF club dentist. DR. Pirs, a tooth
carpenter OF Pittsburg. has gone to
Marlin with the athletes. and while
there will put the teeth OF every
member In perfect condition. AL
ready DR.. Pirs has created a sensa-
tlOfi- IL II llhely tldt al INC OtneT
major league clubs will have to fall
into line sooner or later.
Dentistry In spring training is
new wrinkle, but a commendable one.
no doubt, Stlll. McGraw could have
had the work done at home. just as
we'll. That wouldn't have been much
OF an ad, though,
Charlie Ebbets has his new ball
park because he realized that II would
be Grent ad. Ebbcts surmounted
all manner OF obstacles TO have his
new park ready for an opening this
spring And his enterprise was re-
warded at the recent schedule meet
!ngs OF the major leagues in this
city.
For the first time in history the
major leagues agreed 10 modify their
schedules and grant a special open
Ing day to a club-allow one town
to open the season day ahead OF
the rest. Ebbets was granted this
privilege because II was realized that
he would have tough time attract
ing a capacity house were he forced
TO bid for patronage against Frank
Chances debut at the Polo, grounds.
II pays TO advertise. The major
xfxtx a. H. sa...s