Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-25
By Frank G. Menke.

Hermann, boss of the Reds. placed
him on the auction block large num-
Der of baseball club owners lost their
equilibrium and several other arti-
fetal possessions in the mad scramble
for the said Mr.. Tinker
All the organized magnates, at that
particular period, figured that Tinker
was one Of the most valuable short
stopping persons in captivity. Pitts
burg wanted him, so did Philadelphia.
The st. Louis Cardinals longed for
Tinker with a fervent longing. Ditto
for Brooklyn. A half dozen Ameri-
can League teamsswanted Tinker, and
would have injected themselves into
the battle for Tinker's services had
they felt there was a chance of land
ing him. But there wasn't. Tinker
was on the auction block all right,
but only National Leaguers' bids were
recognized.
Hermann, the proud and naughty
owner of Tinker, assured the popu-
one of the greatest ball players in
these United States. C. Holiday Eb :
bets, president of the Brooklyn club,
agreed with the Ohio River resident,
and finally annexed the aforemention-
ed Tinker gentleman after agreeing
to the "nicking" of the Brooklyn
bank roll to the extent of $25,000,
JOY PercoI ated in Ebbets Bosom.
And then joy percolated in the
bosom of Mr.. Ebbets. He lifted his
voice to the siren pitch in trying to
tell everyone on this hemisphere the
happening of Tinker made it certain
Brooklyn would grab the 1914 Ma
tional League bunting.
Tinker is worth twice what / paid
for him." bleated Ebbets.
Up rose Frank Farrell owner of
the New York Americans.
Tinker is a wonderful ball player,
has wonderful skill in Transforming a
mediocre infield into a first class
combination and easily is worth
$50,O00," asserted Farrell.
A short period later Tinker Topped
! the-loop and landed in the outstretch-
ed net of the Federal League anglers.
And then, in the twihkling of an OPP
tic. the organized baseball crowds
idea as to Thinkers worth skidded off
about 80 44-100 per cent.
Taking ii from the statements be-
ing made here and there these days
by the organized persons, Tinker is
about through as major league per-
former. Tinker, so we are Informed
just now, is a trouble maker, his
habits are not of the best. he has a
SPAWN, is a sufferer from st. Vitus
dance, has eight or nine broken bones
in his throwing arm, will be detri-
ment instead of an aid to any team OF
I which he is a member, and ought Ia
| be in jail
| Again we ask-isn't it odd how GER
| tain little incidents will cause a
! startling shift in opinion?
And $3.50 Bought Tinker.
| The same Tinker, whose sale by
| Cincinnati to Brooklyn involved $25,
| 600 and established a record price fol
ball player. once was sold for SIS
| That was seventeen years ago.
In 1895, when he was 16, Tinker
| played third base for an amateur team
/ in Kansas City, called the John Tay-
lor Club. Eddie Oswald, aged 10, act
! ed as manager.
| At the end of the 1896 season ar
amateur team known as Hagan's
! Tailors wanted the services of Tin
ker Tinker wouldn't jump to their
team until he'd been given permits
sion by young oswald Tinker and
| Oswald talked the matter over al
great length, and they decided that
| it would be a good plan to sell Tin
| kers services to the TailorS.
| wen go fifty fifty on what I ge;
| out of the sale" Oswald assured Tin
ker
Oswald set price of IS on Tinker
| The Hagans Tailors decided that the
sum was exorbitant. After much
! dickering and much consultation con-
! corning the funds in hand, the Tailor
gang offered oswald $1.50.
That's all the money we can scrape
! together" they told oswald.
Oswald ran back TO where Tinker
was waiting.
How much did they Offer" quizZeo
! Tinker, before Oswald could get his
breath back after his sprint.
Dollar an half" gasped Oswald
Tinker ruminated a bit
That's kinda cheap" said joey
! Cant get EN- to make it 81 car
you?'
Nope; sll they got, responded Os-
valid
"All right; close the deal" directed
Tinker BE sure they give you the
money right away
Oswald got the money, Tinker shook
! hands with the manager of the
| Hagan's Tailors to bind the CON
! tract" and for the next two days
! Tinker and Oswald Toasted on candy
| pies and creampuffs.
Brakeman Breaks Up Team.
| In 1897 Tinker's great work for
| 4agan's Tailors enabled them to win
| the championship. The next season
| Tinker hooked UP with the Schmel-
zers. a team that had regular uni
| forms, and Joe though he had
| reached heaven. In 1899. Tinker quit
! the Schmelzers and Joined co-opera-
! tive team in Parsons, Kans. Some
weeks Tinker would get as much as
81 for his services The team was
beating it's way on freight train one
uay when a brakeman discovered
| them He chased them off the train
! and the team broke up right then and
there.
The next year Tinker landed a Job
as third baseman and shortstop with
| the CofeyVille. kans, team. He got
! $50 a month and board and no longer