The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-03
NEW YORKS HARASS
WESTERN ASPIRANTS
Sensational Squirt Has Killed
Some Visions Of a Wav-
ing Pennant.
CHANCE MAY SIGN ERWIN
Former DOdger Catcher Denies
Fed Dcal-Says He Prefers
Organized Ball.
CHANCE MAY SIGN ERWIN

Inc sensational squirt OF the New York
Americans has several Western managers
worried over the prospect of finishing In
tho second division Such a condition
would be little less than catastrophe.
as two weeks ago these same managers
had visions of nothing short OF the pennant
and It's worlds series balm.
The uplift OF Chances team proved
what may be accomplished with lot Of
clever pitching when It s backed by or
binary hitting. Even during the late sem
sational squirt the New Yorks have shown
nothing extraordinary IN the clouting line.
The defensive rather than the offensive
strength Of the aggregation has produced
such fine results
At the opening of the season the Peerless
Leader figured on a place In the first
division:
81 will be up among the first four be-
cause have the greatest pitchers I have
ever been associated with My club is
going to be n light hitting one. but ] think
1t can get by safely because II Is one that
will have few equals as defensive
machine"
Chance figured upon light hitting. but
nothing nearly so light az his hitess won
ders showed him for two months. Prob
ably there never was such a weak array
OF offensive talent as that which repre-
scented Nav York in the Johnson league
before Frank cut adrift from Harry Will
Jams and recalled Birdie Cree from Balti-
more.
Cree has certainly set fine example
10 his mates. Not an individual member
of the club was within gunshot OF ord
nary form when Birdie came along and
encouraged the downcast athletes with
few well placed hits that Melted VIC
tories Since then every one has perked
up a bit. even Malscl and Peckinpaugh
whose disastrous reversal of form has
been about as puzzling as the lowly posi-
tion of the Pirates
Chance evidently does not intend TO rest
content even with the present glowing
prospects He is still casting about for
some men who will add strength to his
attack. While In Cleveland last week he
opened negotiations with Joe Birmingham
for Shoeless Joe jackson, who Is reported
to be in n sulky and belligerent mood to-
ward his present boys Nothing definite
has developed from these ovcrtures, but
one man of Jackson's calibre would be of
inestimable benefit toward speedy re-
construction Of the club.
There is a possibility OF Chance land
Ing Tex Erwin. the Brooklyn discard. who
leads the National League in hitting.
On Saturday Chance wired Erwin for his
terms and promised to return definite
| answer by tomorrow. Erwin has gone
/ to his home in Rochester In high hope of
| casting his fortunes with the Peerless
Leader.
''I have had no dealings with the Fed
| eral League" said Erwin yesterday be-
| fore starting FOR Rochester. ''1 visited
Washington Park on saturday as n mat
/ ter OF curiosity. | had never seen the
/ new park. I have A lot OF friends among
| the Federal League players and naturally
( paid them my respects. l was intro
| duced 10 John VI. Ward after the game,
| but we never discussed terms.
ct prefer organized baseball TO the
Federal League" Erwin continued
Though of course I have no prejudice
against the INDEPENDENTS ! am free
agent and consequently in a position &c
treat with the Gilmore people without
fear of mourning the displcasure Of or
gauized baseball. But am going &c
await Frank Chances reply before look
further. Nothing would please me more
than to play in New York"
Unless his terms are unusually higf
! Erwin right now might be very tu
dicious Investment for Frank Farrell
Certainly as a pinch hitter he could occa
sionally do some valiant service. Chance
hasn't such a commodity as a pinch hit
ter He has 10 call upon his pitchers FOL
smuggling speclalties Just now he Is II
especially sore straits because OF the In
Jury TO Roy Hartzell. one Of the mos
earnest and reliable members OF his club
Erwin Is a versatile player. He doe!
pretty we'll as substitute hrst baseman
lie IL experienced in the art OF catohin,
and certainly should be expected to b.
more reliable than unschooled youngsters
SO long as Sweeney and Nunamaker e.
cape illness and accident Chance win no
have to worry over the receiving end o
his battery candidates. But one after
noon might lay low both of these depend
ables and throw the burden upon inexpe
rienced shoulders. II his arm IL sound
as C. II. Ebbets assures, Tex Erwin is
pretty fair sort OF substitute. Especial,
30 If he should prove able to toy wit
American League pitching as he has Wit
| ~. hra nj nnrAnL thn National IN puf