The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-08
SIGNING Of KNABE
IS FEOERALS' BEST
MOVE IN CAMPAIGN
OUTLAWS MAKE SHOW OF FTNAN-
cIAL STRENGTH AND MAY GET
MORE PHILLIEs TO JUMP.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. THE sign
ing of Otto Knabe to manage the Baiti-
more Federal league club is the big
gest trick yet pulled by the so-called
outlaws" Knabe follows up the veri-
fcation OF the report that he has signed
with Baltimore with the statement that
he already has received one-half of the
salary promised him and also that he
has all kinds of money at his disposal
to get other players.
This show Of financial strength on
the part Of the Federals will prove
an eye-opener to the men in organized
baseball. There was futter OF anx-
iety when II was announced ten days
ago that Tinker and Brown had signed
with the Federals. Then came the an
nouncement that Knahe.Tim Sheckard
and others had been signed as man
ayers. These reports were promptly
met with denials from the players.
VIII 0s After Stars.
But that the report was merely pre-
mature In tho case OF Knabe is now
certain. 1t Is reported that Otto will
now 60 out after a number OF star
players, including Sherwood Magee and
Gavvy Cravath. Of tho Phillies. Other
men that he 10 likely to try to in
duce to sign with his team are "Runt''
Walsh and doe" Miller. former MEM
Der Of the Phillies, who were released
to the Montreal club q few weeks ago.
Miller has declared that he intends to
retire from the game for good, but as
he IL . close friend Of Knabe's 1t would
not be surprising to ind doc signing
with Baltimore.
The loss Of Knabe Is q hard blow to
the Phillies. Although there were many
followers OF the Daisies who did not
like the playing of the little second
baseman 1t was generally recognized
by those close to the team and by men,
bers Of other clubs that Otto was one
OF the brightest ball tossers in the
major leagues. He was always a hard
worker for his team and he had q
habit of lighting for his club on the
field without getting punished by the
umpires or arousing unique antagonism
on the part of his opponents.
Valuable Player.
There is no doubt that Otto was
one OF the most valuable players on
tho Philadelphia team. and his value
was very little affected by the fact
that he was greatly disappointed at not
getting the management OF the Gin
cinnati team couple OF years ago.
EARLY In December the Phillies' on
cials again tried to make deal with
CINCINNATI 30 that knAb0 could grAtify
his ambition OF becoming q team leader.
This could not be done and Otto re-
turned from the National league meet
ing. where efforts were made to pull
on deal with the Reds, disappointed.
II II believed that Ned Hanlon, a big
man OF the Baltimore Federals, at that
time. began getting the wires In shape
to land Knabe.
Otto's action viii undoubtedly be
quite shock to the Phillies' officials.
1t with also keep them worried, for
they will now be in constant fear OF
other members of their team going
over to the enemy. It II not likely that
Magee will be induced to jump the
Daisies. 1t Is reported that Sherwood
has already received advance money
on his salary for 1914. II such ia the
case II would be useless for any
league to attempt to sign him. even
II Magee could be induced. under or
binary conditions. to cast his fortunes
with the Federals
Da1timore's coup. coming on top OF
the warning sounded to the Federals
In the report OF Chairman Hermann
OF the national commission, will un-
doubted1y cause the baseball men now
assembled at Cincinnati to get busy
and endeavor to prevent any more
breaks In their fences.