The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-07
MARTIN signs
With BRAVES
Georgetown's Crack Athlete
Decides to Cast in Lot with
the Boston Nationals.
SPURNS THE NAP OFFER
Cleveland Loses College Star In
6elder-Other Sporting News.
Notes. and Gossip.
SPURNS THE NAP OFFER
By WILLIAM PEET.

Billy Martin, Georgetown's crack all
around athlete, who was to have Joined
the Cleveland Maps three weeks ago has
decided to cast in his lot with the Boston
Nationals. and last night forwarded to
Owner Ganfney his signed contract.
II appears that when the Cleveland
club was in Washington last May Biz
mingham made overtures to Martin. and
the athlete promised to give Cleveland
first bid oil. his services.
Two weeks later Scout Mccarthy. OF
the Boston Braves, made Martin a fiat
tering offer. but Billy refused to sign a
contract until he had seen Birmingham
On Decoration Day in Princeton, Mar
tin broke his leg during a ball game
and played in the Hospital League for
five weeks.
When the Maps were here last month.
Martin again saw Birmingham and in
formed him Of the Boston offer. and was
told that the Cleveland club would meet
the figures on the National League con-
tract
Martin then agreed to go with Birmy.
and was to have reported in the Forest
City when the team arrived July a
Since that time the only word Martin
has received from Birmingham was to
the effect that Boston Nationals had put
in a claim for his services and that until
the National Commission had settled
matters. he MARTINI was not to report
The Georgetown star has subsequently
been convinced that Birmingham does
not want him, and last night affixed his
signature to a Boston contract. He will
probably be ordered to report in a few
DAYS, and as he has entirely recovered
from his recent inJuhy the chances are
that he will be put into the game at once
and given q chance to play third base.
Martin claims that he acted squarely
toward Cleveland and that he was bound
TO them only by a statement that If the
Maps would pay him the same salary
offered by the Boston Nationals he would
sign.
He adds that no contract has been ten
dered by Cleveland and that no orders
had been issued when TO report
The GrifImen play two games against
the Chicago White Sox in the Windy City
this afternoon. Doc Ayres and Jim Shaw
or Joe Engel will more than likely be in
the box for the Capital crew.
Ed Mccarthy is responsible for the fol-
ODE TO WALTER JOHNSON.
He used TO rHmble round a bit A. night in his
''maSheen."y
But now he DOESN'T do it any more:
He Jsed 10 blew the froth OF tiny glass Of beer.
But now on al such stimulantS he's sore;
He Used to slAnce approringiy At chickens young
and fair
Admired their eootse5s." their bright eyes.
But now. Of coursS. it's different: 90 the dead -
he doesn't dare,
For he's married
frightening the French half as much as
he ~ ~ he Pnefnn
is frightening the New York outfit
They don't come back. Ell? Well. look
at what slim" Caldwell. a Yankee
twirler. is doing these days.
Slim" regarded as all in" at the
close of the 1918 season, has won eighteen
games and lost seven this year for an
average Of ID against II team average
slightly over 40. The best part of Cald-
his games have been small hit and small
run affairs. with about a half dozen shut
out victories mixed in.
Another big league baseball club is
about to be driven out of its home. This
is the Boston Nationals. Success and not
war with the Federals has brought about
such a condition that the Boston Braves
must desert the park which has been
their stamping ground for many years.
The present park has been found to
be too small for the crowds which have
been pouring out to see Stallings men
thrash all-comers. The Down East fans
have gone wild over the Braves, and
now they are going into bigger quarters.
President Lannin. OF the Boston Amer
leans, has offered James Gaffney. presi-
cent of the Braves, the use Of Fenway
Park. the grounds Of the Boston Red
SoX, for use free Of charge. The offer
has, been accepted for Saturdays and
holiday dates. although Gaffney viii in
sist upon paying some rent.
The squirt of the Braves has been such
a sensational one that the clubs stock
holders have etery reason to believe that
they will wind up the season on the right
side Of the ledger financially. Two weeks
ago the Braves followers would have
been content II the team could have
finished in the first division.