The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-14

TX play with the Boston Braves,
L n Johnny Evers. the recently de-
posed leader of the Chicago Cubs, yes
terday afternoon signed lucrative
four-year contrac with Manager
George Stallings of the Boston club.
According to the terms rendered by
Stallings, Evers will receive an annual
salary of $4,000 and a bonus of $4,000
1t is also stipulated that the diminu-
tive second sacker shall not be sold or
traded without his consent, and also
that he shall receive an additional
sum should the Braves finish the sea-
son one, two, three
Evers' decision to go to the Braves
clears up the baseball mystery that
has completely overshadowed the
meetings of the American and National
leagues during the past few days.
Until this afternoon, when he con-
sented to being removed to Boston,
Evers' true baseball status was in dis
pute, some authorities claiming that
he was a free agent, while others were
of the opinion that he belonged to the
National league and that this body
and not Charley Murphy had jurisdic-
tion over him.
In payment for Evers, the Boston
club has given Pitcher Hub Purdue,
former Southern Lacquer, and Second
Baseman Sweeney to Murphy. Both
nj Lot
who is ranked as one of the best key
stone guardians in the old organiza-
ton, and each should perform in a
capable manner for Chicago fans, un-
less the chubby Cub executive con-
tinues to NEEDLE with the running of
the Cub team.
Despite the denial of President
Weeghman Of the Chicago Federal
league team and other promoters of
the new venture that they were not
seeking the services of Johnny Evers,
a strenuous effort was made by Joe
Tinker to get his former teammate to
join the outlaw ranks. 1t is reported
that he even offered him a salary of
$4,000 a year. However, the former
Cub leader had no desire to withdraw.
from the fold of organized ball and
accepted the berth at Boston in prefer
ence.
The trading of Evers now leaves not
a single representative ON the Cub
roster of the great infield that was
Al Of
four National league and two world $
championships. Steinfeldt, at third
was the first of the great combination
to receive the can and with his going
the world famed infield began to dis
entegrate. A season or so later Frank
Chance, the peerless leader. was forced
to the bench on account of old in
juries, only to be let out at the close of
the 1912 season.
Joe Tinker, member of the ia
nous trio. thinker to Ivers to
Chance" also bid farewell to Chi
cago soon after the departure of
Chance, being traded to the Gin
oinnati Reds. Now. after the lapse
of a season Evers, the fourth and
last member of the great machine,
has followed in the footsteps of his
teammates.
After wavering for sometime be-
tween war and peace, organized
ball has decided on a war policy
and from now on a merry little
struggle may be looked for if the
fcrces of organized ball carry out
the campaign they have planned.
Organized interests have decided to
employ as it's most effective weap-
on against the outlaws a provision
in the national agreement aimed
against contract Jumpers and re-
serve clause violators.
Another recruit, Wallace, a
catcher secured from Knoxville in
the Appalachian league. was heard
from yesterday by Manager Moles-
worth. Wallace stated that he
would pay his own expenses to
Birmingham and that Moley could