New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-11-01
PLANK And BENDER
PUT ON MARKET
Mack Asks Waivers on
Two Best Pitchers to
Thwart Feds.
JACK COOMBS ALSO
SLATED FOR SALE
Manager of Athletics Says That
He Wants to Save Men for
Organized Ball.

Edward Plank. Charles Albert Ben
der and Jack CoombS. who, pitching for
the Philadelphia Athletics, ruled the
American League these many years
now stand at the turn Of the road trav-
cued by many another star the road
that may possibly lead TO Oblivion.
Waivers have been asked upon them
by Connie Mack, and the other clubs IN
the American League may purchase
them for 81 500 each, the waiver price.
II none Of the American League clubs
desire their services. then the National
League clubs may bid for them. In the
event that no club N either circuit
bids for them, then berth IN the
minor leagues or the Feds awaits them.
II is thought that Mack made his
move 10 block. If possible, raid by the
Federal League. IL is known that both
Plank and Bender have been ap-
uroachcd by the outlaw representatives.
Offers were made which are not likely
10 be approached by the Athletics.
Mack. eager 10 keep the men who have
served him so long and so faithfully IN
the ranks Of organized baseball rs VIII
inc 20 allow the other clubs 10 bid TOT
choir services. He believes that some
club might be willing TO outbid the
Federals.
Mack Regrets Move.
Mack said that he regretted the fact
that il was necessary 20 ask Tor walN-
ers on his men, but that there seemed
TO be no other way around the STU
alton. He said that he wished It under
stood that he was not OF the opinion
-
his usefulness. II was his desire TO
thwart any move BY the Federal League
which prompted his action.
81 am for the American League IN
victory or defeat" he said. 81 am 60
ING 10 keep these players IN our league
If possible.
Il would not have asked for waivers
ON them az this time had II not been
for the fact that some one told me
that the Federals were endeavorlng 10
secure them
IL is practically certain that none OF
the eforcnamed pitchers viii be seen
IN the uniform of the Athletics IN 1919.
Coombs was of no use 20 the Athletlcs
this season. Ever since he tore
muscle i'm his side IN one OF the game
Of the worlds series IN 1911 ne has
been an invalid and has done only the
I;gbtest sort Of work. This year ne
ri+cbeo in a few exhibition games and
showed few indications OF returning 10
his hest form Critics have predicted
that he will never be able 70 take MS
place on the regular stat OF a major
league team.
Time there was. however, when JACK
Cooubs. the "iron man. was the 1901
Of the fans throughout the country. ne
first leaped into prominence by defeat-
u lei "a 81
-or~-irri0c game by q score OF TO j.
That was ON September I, 1906. IN ms
#r-- season in professional baseball.
looobs ritched the Athletics 20 three
victories over the Chicago Cubs IN the
worlds series In 1910. In one OF these
games he let the Bruins down win
three hits.
Coombs Still Young Man.
Coombs is a young man, young M
years and fairly young DID baseball
sa lie was born I'M 1882 in Port
land. Me. He made "a name Tor hlmseH
as ni+cher for the Colby College team.
n Mas during his college Gays that ne
won the name of the Colby Carblne.
"a name which has stuck 10 him during
his career as a major league ball
player. h,4
Eddie Plank will linger long IN the
minds of every baseball enthusiast. lie
is more than forty years OF age DuI
is one of the best cone game pltcherS
iu the American League. During Inc
last scasou ne showed signs OF slow
ing up, but pitched grsndIy IN 'le
world series His record, however, Is
one TO be proud Of Taking part IN
tbirty-four games, some of which ne
finished for other pitchers, ne won
sixteen and lost six, an average OF
.-27. I'm his fourteen years OF service
he has won 2S3 games and lost 100 Tor
"A grand average Of $40. Plank, how
ever. was not able to pitch more than
one game week and be really euS'-
tive. 400,
Tie Joined the Athletics in 1901,
coming direct from Gettysburg oil
leee, where he pitched OF the base
bail team for three years. As mem
aer Of Gettysburg he ha0 several pat
Ties on the mound with Chrsly
Mathewson, who then represented
Bucknell Plank made good from the
start. In his first season he won sew
enteen games and lost eleven, Tor an
average of .607. His best season vas
u 1912. when he won twenty-SiX
games and lost six, for an average of
Sl3. His best work in a worlds series
was against the Giants IN 1912, when
ne defeated the Giants, allowing only
two hits.
Chief Bender, the lauky, smiling
Chippewa Indian. who has been called
the greatest money pitcher" IN the
world. will be missed. Bender was
born in Brainerd. Mimi, the home Of
Bullet Joe' Bush, also member of
the Athletics. The Chief entered the
United States Indian School at Car
isle. Penn. and Immediately made the
baseball team. lie pitched such re-
markab,e ball that he attracted atten-
ton. Later he matriculated at DICK
inson College, and, graduating from
there, Joined the Harrisburg Athletlc
Club. There he was signed by a scout
of the Athletics. lie joined the WHITE
Elephants In 1902. In his twelve years
Of service he has slumped below me
300 mark only twice.
Bender has participated in SIX world s
series games Only once was ne
knocked out Of the box in a worlds
series. That was in the opening game
against the Boston Braves
Plank admitted that he had been ap-
preached by the Federal League, bat
said that he was surprised that Mack
has asked for waivers.
Either Plank or Bender would be
useful to the Yankees, and il is prob
able that the New York club will enter