The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-27
GOSSIP OF THE GAME
INV J. Lewis, OFFICIAL scorer.l

The Western league has long been
known as a "hitters" league. Usually
the circuit has a large number OF men
with good batting averages, and at
times, major league scouts pass up
the stars of the circuit fearing they
will not hold up their reputation as
a hitter after reaching major league
company There are large number
Of former Western league men In the
American association. Pacific Coast
and Federal leagues, with few in
the International league. The follow
ing is list and batting averages of
some of the former Western 1eaguers
who are now in the American assoc
citation: Mccormick. .339; Beall.
$50; Verne Clemens. $40, R. Roth.
tick, .236; Hunter. 1927: Reagan. .120.
In the Federal league is Gagnier,
313; Kenworthy, .297; Zwilling, .274;
Westerzil. .236; Gilmore. eco. There
may be others in the list but II SO
their names escaped our notice.
With three baseball teams in St.
Louis fighting for places in the first
division. the fans have the chance to
yell. A st. Louis team in the first d.
vision is almost ancient history. Won
der what the fans of Topeka would
do with a first division team.
(Pun.) This department had dis
missed the idea of burying the lynx
under the pitchers mound. 1t is go
ing to st. Louis in the near future,
and in our opinion that is worse than
being buried alive. Note, will soon
have a new city editor on the job.
Baseball attendance is not SO good
in Des Moines after all. With Lin
coin the attraction last Sunday, less
than $500 people witnessed the con-
test. and Des Moines has a popula-
ton of more than $4,000 people.
Del Gainor, first baseman, has been
sold to the Boston Red Sox by the
Detroit club. Begins to look like
young Burns, formerly of Sioux City.
might be a regular fixture with the
Tigers.
Manager Dale Gear Is doing every
thing possible to strengthen the
Kaws' pitching staff. but up to date
hasn't been successful In securing q
pitcher who could break the losing
streak He has released Pitchers
probably release others II he had
some others to take their places.
The Lincoln papers are yelling be-
cause Hugh Jones baseball club is
losing games with regularity. They
Topeka but why be pessimistic? The
duck will change some day and then
some other club will be on the red
side of the ledger.
The decision in the Winnebego
johnson case at Chicago. which is ex-
pected in a few days, is one OF the
most important events to baseball of
modern times. This case hangs on
the legality Of q contract. johnson
jumped his contract for the Federal
league. II the decision is unfavorable
to organized company. 1t is feared
that many more will desert organ
lied ranks
In an interview with President Gil
York Monday, the outlaw leader said
that he had q list OF thirty-seven
players Of recognized ability who
were ready to jump to the Federals
if the Johnson decision favored the
Federal league. He says that the
Federal league can get all the stars
It wants, and should the inevitable
occur, the major league ranks will be
but a tattered wreck. We are not
very familiar with the intricate at
fairs concerning the johnson case.
but should such occur, the worst cal
amity that ever befen athletic sports
think Of so let us forget the question.
Hughfe Jones has changes the
name Of his team from the Antelopes
to the Tigers Pop Sherman Of the
Lincoln News sayB that judging from
J the sixe Of the score In the nrst games