Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-06
BENDER TAKES JUMP
Famous Indian Pitcher Joins
Federal League Forces.
ASSIGNED TO NO ONE CLUB
Brooklyn and Chicago Want Vet
eran-Predicts General Desertion
of Major Leaguers.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, December s.
Chief Bender, the famous Indian
pitcher of the champion Athletics, one
of the greatest figures in the game,
signed a two-year contract with the
Federal League this afternoon for a
sum far in excess of that which he had
been drawing in the American League.
| While Bender would not make public
| that it called for about $4,000 a sea-
son, with an additional bonus for
signing.
Bender was signed to a Federal
League contract and not to the services
of any one club. He is now the prop
erty of the outlaw league and will be
allotted to one of the clubs in the cir
cult. Just who will get him neither
Bender nor Harry Goldman. who signed
him, would admit President Weeghman
of Chicago wants his services, as does
President Ward of Brooklyn, and the
ST. Louis club. 1t probably will be the
duty of the league to assign him to a
club needing Strengthening in the box.
Harry Goldman, business manager of
the Baltimore club of the Federal
League. was the man to sign the In
dian pitcher. but he disavowed any in
tention of placing him in Baltimore. He
said he would be the property of the
league. as would any of the other star
ball players signed in the next few
weeks, to be apportioned to the vari-
Gus clubs so as to make an equitable
race.
Predicts Wholesale Desertions.
Bender announced after signing that
he would not only receive twice the
sum paid him by the Athletics, but that
he had also received a check for sign
ing the proportions of which made his
world series money of this season small
in comparison. The Indian predicted a
wholesale desertion of star ball players
in the next month to the ranks of the
Federals. but refused to give any of
the names. He intimated that the Ath-
letics and Phillies would be badly rid
died before the season opened.
The inference is that RUDE Oldring,
the Athletic outfielder, and Jack 1app.
the catcher, neither of whom are sign
ed to contracts for next season, would
now follow Bender's leap into the ranks
Of the Feds Oldring Is the closest
friend of Bender in base ball and vir-
tually has been awaiting the decision of
the Indian.
Charley Doom, the Phillies' catcher,
unless he can make terms with the
New York Giants or Brooklyn, without
figuring i'm deal, also will go to
Knabe's Federal League team in Bal
timore. and young Baumgartner, the
former star pitcher of the University
of Chicago. who pitched such good ball
4
enter the ranks of the independents,
the latter going to Chicago.
Wants to Be Near Philadelphia.
, Following the signing Bender an
nounced that he had not dickered with
the Federals prior to the time Connie
Mack asked waivers on his services at
the same time Plank and Coombs were
put on the market. The Indian said he
would like to play on one of the teams
near Philadelphia, either Brooklyn or
baltimore, owing to the fact that he
has big sporting goods business here,
but that the league distribution would
suit him.
| When Bender was asked the point
blank question as to whether the Feds
intended to put a team in Philadelphia
and make him manager, he would not
admit that he had any knowledge of
such a move, but would be glad to
make such a trial.
| Connie Mack, manager of the Attn
Iletics. said he was not surprised when
told that Bender had gone over to the
Federal League. Il expected it. His
contract with Philadelphia expired this
year." he said, land I did not intend to
renew it. Bender was simply under re-
serve, and the matter is entirely up
to him. l made no arrangements or
entered into any deal for Bender for
next year. / had asked for waivers on
him, Plank and Coombs."