The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-01
BENDER, PLANK AND
COOMBS ON MARKET
Athletics Ask Waivers on Old
Pitching Stars-One Flirts
With Federal League.
MACK BERATES JENNINGS

PHILADELPHIA, oct .3i.-Waivers have
been asked on Chief Bender. Eddie Plank
and Jack Coombs. veteran pitchers OF the
Athletics Manager Connie Mack ad-
lnitted this to-day and at the same time
Hughey Jennings, manager OF
the Detroit Tigers. for letting the news
leak out
Waivers on players are supposed TO be
treated strictly in confidence by clubs,
owners and managers" said Mack. but
1 could not expect anything else from
Jennings in giving out the news that
waivers were asked on these players. as
Jennings manages ball club only six
time il taken up with his vaudeville act,
but he should worry as long az Frank
Navin can give him a great team to man
age every spring"
II seems that the fiirtations OF Plank
with the Federal League formed the prn-
cipal cause OF Mack's taking action as he
did nj this time.
While | had no intention Of retaining
any of the three for the season Of 1915.
! would not have asked waivers on them
just now but for the fact that one OF
the three had told me that he was talk
ing business with the Federal League.
that he was offered big money and that
he did not suppose We would want to
meet the Offer Connie declared.
81 suggested to this fellow that some
other American League club might be
willing to meet his demands | want Il
understood that | am for the American
League in victory or defeat Before re-
leasing player. Internationally all clubs
must waive on him"
II is regarded as likely here that Plank
the oldest left handler in the game. will
be allowed to go his own way and play
with the Federals. hut Bender. the In
dian, is expected TO be In demand among
several other American League clubs.
Since the waiver price is only $500, any
club could AFFORD to pay for him II IL
saw 1T to use his services. The New
Works are declared to be among the teams
that would find Bender available Coombs
who was stricken down by typhoid fever
two years ago and never since has been
IN condition for regular mound duty. IL not
expected 20 attract much attention in the
scramble
II no other major league teams want
10 negotiate for the services of the de-
posed trio. Mack will hand them the un-
conditional releases which will make them
free agents.
Mack also limited that his action of to-
day was only the first OF "A series OF start
ling changes that will lead to the virtual
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF the team that for sew
eral seasons has been the despot Of base
ball All he would say was that the
changes were for the good OF the team"
But Plank and Bender were among
the leading pitchers In the American
League last season." Connie was asked
DO you think their usefulness IL at an
end"
II believe that Plank and Bender are
as good as they ever were,"'was the re-
sponse
Then why do YOU want to get rid OF
them"
Because one Of them Was negotiating
with the Federal League. wanted to
protect organized baseball and give others
chance to bid for their services. for
refuse TO pay salaries all out OF proportion
To the value OF the players. In addition
| had other reasons"
What are they"
81 can't toll them just "a present"
did the reports that Bender had broken
training rules the night before TIRE start
OF the worlds series have anything to
do with your action
Absolutely not. think those reports
were false. Bender told me he did not
touch "A drop Of booze during the big
games and believe him, for ne has never
liei 30 me-"
Isn't it unusual TO release pitchers Of
Blenders and Plank's calibre?'
1T is"
Then why did you do it,"
because I am through with them I
don't mind saying now that there are more
surprises FOR the fans. know | may he
criticised, but am going to shake up
the team"
While Mack would not admit Il and
repealed further cross-cNamination II ~
believed that he IL adopting the new policy
FOR self-protection. II Is fact that the
Athletics never have been supported by
the fans as they should have been. Bar
ring the worlds series. the team hasn't
played to capacity at Shihe Park once in
the last two seasons