New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-20
BIRDIE CREE HITS
TRAIL TO MINORS
Released by the Yankees
TO Baltimore Orioles,
but May Jump.
ADVANCE GUARD OF
GIANTS OFF TO CAMP
Larry Mclean Left Behind with
a Husky Noice-Wild Sprint
10 Catch the Train.

Birdie cree. not 50 long ago mighty
outfcldcr. who has been with the Yankees
since 1905. was released Yesterday 10 the
Baltimore club. OF the international
League. NOBODY in the major leagues
wanted him. He IS reported TO have re-
ceivcd large offer from ;he Federal
League. and IT is quite possible he may
jump 10 the outlaws rather than play with
minors
Jack Dunn. manager Of the Orioles. IS
SO anxious 10 hold cree that the story
goes. De has offered him salary ~ $4,000
TO sign.
The little outhelder began TO show the
effects Of long service last season. re
was "a stocl<y man even n his prime and
I'm spite Of his best efforts could not pre-
vent the coming of the base runners
burden" about his waist line.
In an probability however, the chief
factor in the decline Of Cree was neither
increasing weight nor age. but Walter
Johnson. In 1911 Cree hit for .34S in 49,
games. and he was going along at the
same rate the next year until one day the
speed man from Washington pitched a
high fast ball which should have broken
down and out. but failed TO take the
curve
cree was hit flush on the temple and
was unconscious for several hours. He
ulaved no more baseball. until late IN the
season. and then sharp-eyed "rooteis
soon saw that he would never be as efec-
tive again I'm his batting Whereas IN the
old DAYS he stepped out TO meet the ball
he began 10 draw away after the fashion
Of all men who have been hit and can
forget &c.
No one ever accused Cree Of not being
game and he tried his best 10 conquer
the failing. but was unable TO get back
70 the old form. Last year he hit .2'l in
147 games.
Tn build Cree is a pocket edition OF
Tom Sharkey. and when he met the ball
fairly the helders usually found il advis-
able 10 take 10 the fences
John :. McGraw should have no doubts
Of the base running ability Of the three
Giants who left the Pennsylvania station
Yesterday on their way TO Marlin. WITH
lust one minute 10 catch the train the
travellers. suitcases and all, made the dis
lance from the entrance of the station to
track "A i'm something under twenty-three
seconds The distance IS approximately
two hundred Yards but there is one turn
Eddie Harrison. an outfielder finished
first. and right behind him came Herring,
Il recruit pitcher II is needless to say
that Herring is known TO his intimates as
Smoked" Al Williams, who once pitched
for Fordham. was third.
Larry Mclean, had been ordered TO go
along 10 instruct and encourage the young
sters. but on account Of a bad cold Che
can hardly speak above Whisper he
decided 10 stay at home until he can in
struct I'm something besides sign language
Tim Jordan. Of the Toronto lnterna-
tional League team, also was 10 have been
one Of the tourists, but it took him just
three hours and twenty-five minutes 10
come To the station from his home in The
Bronx. lie had allowed for a slow jour
ney. but arrived just in time TO see the
train pull out
Jordan was always an optimist Il
didn't miss it by much was his only
comment
G. p. Taft spent yesterday i'm New
YORK. nut 0ll not can OH JohI ivy '''' .
secretary Of the National League, VINO
came back 20 town showing no in effects
from tho sporting writer's dinner i'm Phila-
delphia. Governor Tener is on a speaking
tour i'm Pennsylvania. and will not be able
10 see Mr.. Taft until the meeting in GIN
cinnat.
Branch Hickey. manager OF the 81
Louis Browns says that the men on his
team can't play poker. Somebody is sure
70 ask. What can the Browns play?'
Wubort Robinson Is going TO make
handbal one Of the chief diversions OF
the Brooklyn players at Augusta. The
e5O-pound manager Of the Superbas says
that he himself was stout before he took
I; up.
The advance guard Of the Newark team
will leave Brooklyn tomorrow ON Sa-
vannah Line steamer for their training
camp I'm Columbus. Ca. Charles II.
Fbbets. ir.. will be in charge Of the party.
Tom Fogarty. president Of the Jersey
city club. announced Yesterday that the
skeetors will leave Jersey city over the
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad on March for
Durham. y. G. Ruddy Hulswitt. the new
manager will be I'm charge OF the players