Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-09-27

With the closing OF each seasons play
ing schedule comes the announcement OF
the fact that certain stars of long service
are to retire. This time the interest of the
public will be centered very largely
around the going of Fred Clarke and
Honus Wagner of the Pirates. They have
been landmarks in the game and each
goes to his home outside the ball park
with the well wishes of thousands who
have admired them for their sterling
worth as men and as players. Others are
likely to be added to the list. It would
be a daring man who would dispose of
Christy Mathewson by this route, for
big Six seems to be all there yet, but
he's getting old like the rest of us, and
the question is how much longer he can
pitch against the old man with the scythe
and not get knocked out. Big Ed Walsh
has finished, and Nap Lajoie is no longer
spry enough to cavort around second base.
And what the future holds for Frank
Chance is yet to be determined. Writers
have located him as manager for several
of the big league teams. both the Cubs
and the White Sox included, but the
chances are he will stick to his orange
groves in California. Chance was not
much OF a success in New York, no mat
ter for what reason, and his quarrel with
the owners and subsequent resignation
did not especially surprise any who had
been watching the progress of the Yam
KEGS Chance surely taught some of the
boys on that team how to play ball, but
he couldn't teach them how to hit and
this season the Yankees lost more games
by a single run than any other team in
the business. 1t was for the lack of a
hit No big league critic ever complained
of the work of the Yankees except the
punch was lacking, the vital element
needed to land the games. Chance may
continue to lingeE along for another sea-
son, but he will have an uphill job
wherever he goes,
McGraw's machine seems badly out OF
keller. and instead of leading home the
parade, as he has done 80 often, he is
fighting for second place, and with the
Cardinals, the team that has been the butt
OF all National league testers as often as
the Giants have been their pride. 1t is
the mutation of the game, the uncertainty
that makes it a real popular sport. Stall
lings and his Braves have furnished a
Thrill in their progress from absolutely
last to a cinch place at first, and 1t isn't
too much to say that when they meet the
Athletics at Fenway park for the worlds
championship the majority of the root
ers will be with them In spirit at least.
for whatever the dope may say, a win
over Connie Mack's incompatible ma
chine would give added interest 10 the
game.
The real business Of base ball is just
now at hand. The minor league mag
mates are paying off their players and
disbanding for the season. looking back
over five months of disaster. 1t doesn't
latter a great deal which one of several
reasons are assigned 20 explain the
,ei ID, the loss has been sustained. ana
how TO get even is the one thought APP
lemost in the mind of the magnate.
Plans for better protection, and for better
business management, will be before the
meeting in Omaha next month. and the
outcome is sure to be OF great impOr-
tance to organized base ball.
One thing only Is really sure as TO the
future Of base ball. The Federal league
has Just about all the bush league talent
IL can we'll take care OF. and the minor
league mAgnates are not nearly so likely
to be annoyed by their players jumping
to the Feds next year as they were this
time.