Evening star., 1914-11-10
JOHNSON S|DESTEPS
FIGURES IN LETTER
President of Nationals Dis
cusses Missive Received
From Big Pitcher.
TELLS OF FLATTERING
OFFERS MADE BY FEDS
Bob Allen, Veteran Player, Buys In
terest in Little Rock Club
With Hedges.
BY j. ED GRILLO.

Walter Johnson's letter to President
Minor has been received The big
pitcher, however. does not give the
local club the figure at which ne would
sign, but merely tells of offers he has
had from the Federal League. Figures
are entirely avoided in the communi-
cation, of which President Minor said
this morning: ut is very pleasant
letter which Walter wrote me- He tells
of what he has done for the Wash
ington club and acknowledges he was
not as good last year as formerly He
also points out some hattering offers
he has received from the Federal
League and seems to think that he
ought to receive more money from US
than we have offered him. This. of
course. is out OF the question, for if
Johnson accepted our proposition he
would be the highest -salaried player in
either major league, and that is as far
as we can go.
Il shall write Walter today or to-
morrow and I think that we will
eventually get together
Bob Allen, who played shortstop for
the Phlll1es and managed the Cincin-
| natl Nationals back in 1900, after being
out of the game for i good many years
has broken back into the harness, this
time as part owner of the Little Rock
club of the Southern League, of which
Bob Hedges of the Browns also is part
owner. Hedges purchased the Mont
gomery franchise the other day and
| transferred it to Little Rock, which
town has not had base ball in some
! thing like six years. Allen is his part
ner in the venture
Bob Allen has not been in the base
| ball limelight in recent years. He was
Il star 'shortstop when connected with
the Phillies. and was captain of the
| team under Harry Wright In 1894
Allen made 4 record for the greatest
| number of chances accepted by a short
stop in one season. This mark, 1t is
now claimed, has been broken by Ma
| ranville of the Boston Braves. 1t was
while with the Phillies that Allen was
hit on the cheek by a pitched ball in "A
game at Philadelphia Park. The IN
jury was so severe that Allen decided
to retire from the playing end of the
game.
Ty Cobb says he is going to retire
after four more years on the diamond
Tyrus says he will he satisfied II ne
| can get in that many more seasons, and
| then he will be willing to go IN the col
ton business down in Georgia. AS Copb
| is now only twenty-seven years olo, ne
would only be thirty one if he quits the
7
There are a lot of pitchers who would
not shed tears If Tyrus should make up
his mind to get. out of the game in less
| time than he intends. But Iy VIII
have four wears to think it over. and
there is therefore no reason for Owner
Navin to do any worrying.
Roger Bresnahan will be the next
manager Of the Cubs"
At least. that is the opinion of Char
ley Smith. who did some of the pitch
ing for the Cubs the last three seasons.
and before that was a twirler for the
Nationals Charley does not claim to
be particularly upon the inside" but
| nevertheless he feels confident that
| the veteran catcher will be named to
succeed Hank ODay.
Having pitched to more than few
catchers during my career as a ball
player" says Smith, II feel that my
opinion as to the ability of catchers
Is worth something. and I want to tell
| YOU that Roger BreSnahan is one Of