Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-06
JOHNSON MOST
VALUABLE MAN
IN BASE BALL
FederaIs Rank Jackson Next to
Washington TwirIer and Place
Ty Cobb Third.
BY Bill Bailey

Leaguers figure that Walter
Johnson. the Washington twirl,
or. is the most valuable man in or
ganized baseball. The same fellows
figure that Joe Jackson ranks next,
and that Ty Cobb. whom many be
leve to be the greatest of his day is
third. Heine Zimmerman, the Cub
slugger and several fellows on the
Philadelphia Athletics are tied for
fourth.
The best way to find out what fell
low really thinks OF something ne
wants is to find out what he will pay
for it. It's a certainty that he Will
nav the top price for the ming he
values. And it's upon this basis that
the worth Of Johnson, jackson and
Cobb is fixed
Along about the time that the Fed
erals really began to be taken seri-
ously. which was soon after Joe Tin
ker. MordeCai Brown and otto knaoe
left the organized RANKS. a telegram
was sent TO Johnson. II wasn't known
bv Tinker and President Weeghman,
OF the Federals that ne was under
contract. At any rate, they said they
didn't know The Washington twlri-
or answered that he was under Legal
obligations to play with Washington
but that lie thanked them for the CD
portunity just the same,
H{NHAT would you have given him
w YEAR," Tinker was asked.
Il think Mr.. Weeghman would have
told him to insert his own figures in
the contract" answered Tinker
Yes. but in dollars and cents what
would you have given MIN IL was
persisted.
We'll think Mr. Weeghm IN
would have given him between s2o,ooo
and $50, 600 a year answered Joe.
soon after came a report that while
Cobb had been in consultation Win
Frank Navin and and had practically
agreed upon terms that he mad not
signed a Detroit contract You re
member the telegram that Presldent
Weeghman sent him? II called t3r
sf5.OOO year and was to run Tor hNe
years
That's what the Federals thought
Of Cobb.
THE next fabulous sum offered was
j
ago came a message from GreenNiiie'
s c., the home of the Nap slugger.
II was 10 the effect that Jackson had
heen offered S65, 600 for three yea :.
That's almost 500. 600 a year. when
shows what the Federals thought OF
Jackson.
Now'when the Federals were IN
session inNShicago on that memorable
day when the league was advertised
to blow" and when ident Weesh i,
man demanded show down one q
the managers met Heine zimmerman IT..
what are the Cubs paying you
uueried the manager.
81 don't see that II is any or 70 IT
business" was Heine's retort
We'll. we will give you $t,0o0
wear and let YOU sit on the bench II
the courts hold that we can't play
YOU" was the come back.
NOV. don't get the wrong impress
~ sion. Don't for moment sup
pose that we are trying to tel You
that Jackson is more valuable man
than Cobb, or that Johnson Is worth
more than either.
Rail players and the fans entertain
no such opinion. The majority of the
players have an idea that Cobb STANDS
alone among fielders, batters. base
runners, and that he is worth two
Jacksons. They will tell you that II
Is toss-up when it comes to rank
ing Cobb and Johnson. BY Watching
the crowd YOU will get the impression
that IL Is also a toss-up between the
two so far as their drawing power is
concerned.
There's usually fair crowd at
every league game in which Cobb par
ticipates II is also true that there
is big crowd at every game In which
johnson is advertised TO pitch. It's
almost impossible 70 estimate the
value to the playing strength OF a
team .of a man like Cobb. He wins
many contest during the year. But
then, II is also mighty difficult to tis
ure what fellow like Johnson Is
worth. and especially what ne wouIo
he worth to a team fighting FOR n