The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-08-06
DISLOYALTY NOT CHIEF
REASON FOR FAILURE
OF BIRMY'S BALL TEAM
Henry Edwards Claims That Poor Pitching Staff Is Real Cause
of NapIanders' Low Standng-Lajoies Slump Is Merely
What Might Have Been Expected, Anyway.
Fy HENRY P. EDWARDS.

disloyalty. Some of the players who
are the most loyal to Manager PiIming-
ham and who attributed their sutCe SIS
a year ago to the coaching aid cncour-
agement received from Birmingham
have failed to deliver this season. In a
word, the charge of disloyalty has been
used to cover up a multitude OF mis-
takes and shortcomings. To disprove
this assertion, ii is up to the Maps, now
that Gregg has gone and Lajoie IS
bench warmer to get out AMI win a
majority of their games.
One of the worst faults of the Cleve-
land club is lack of speed. It has not
a player among the topnotch pase run
ners of the league. Those that know
how to steal lack the speed and those
that have the speed don't know how. AS
the team IS now composed there are
only a few with the ability to beat out
infield hits that are fumbled for mere
fraction of a second.
They say that Lajoie's poor showing
is due to lack of harmony. that Larry
is not dorg his best because he does
not like Birmingham. Well, Lajoie has
every reason to like the present man
ager Of the Maps. for Joe Birmingham
was the most loyal member of the club
when lajoie was manager. Admitting.
however, that Larry does not like Birm-
inT:ham, 1 do not believe that his poor
showing this year is due entirely to
any such feeling. Larry has been 4
wonderful player for eighteen years.
and he was due to slow up. Being
close to forty years of age, he cannot
he expected to run out hits and display
the agility in the field that he did ten
years or even five years ago.
AS for his batting, Nap Lajoie likes
II IL.
sonal feelings to prevent him from
clouting the ball. Pop Arson, one Of
the greatest batters the game ever
knew. finally had to retire when he
found himself slowing up and gradually
losing his batting eye So did Dan
Erouthers. Jesse Burkett, Willie Keller.
and other famous swatters. The fans
had acquired the notion that Larry
could go on forever, but Larry is
simply going the way Of his noted
predecessors and instead of placing him
under the cloud Of being a disgruntled
player. 1 believe the fans should put
the blame for his poor showing upon
the gradual encroachments of age.
which have allowed him to play many |
years longer than should have been eX-
pected- Most players are about through |
efter eight or ten years Of big league !
service. Lajoie has been 4 remarkable |
batter and fielder for eighteen years |
Time having used him so well. he can |
have no complaint, while the fans ars |
tn be congratulated upon having en- |
soyed his services for 4 longer period |
than il usually granted.
i believe that LaJoIg'S term of use !
fulncss to the CIeytland club is prac- |
tically over, even though he were work !
ing in complete harmony for Manager
which. ii is claimed. he is |
not. Such being the case. his future |
is merely one that Concerns President !,
SOmcrs and Nap Laioie hinIself As ne |
is the owner Of contract that calls for |
the Cleveland club 10 keep him through !
the season of 1915 and 1916 at a SALARY |
Of $500 it is doubtful il any other |
cluk will take him off Somers' hands !
so it looks as IL the Nap maSnate would |
be forced TO either effect 4 compromise |
with his PLAYER or grant him his I'M
release.