The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-07
SPEAKER SIGNS
FOR BIG. SALARY
REMAINS WITH RED sOx FOR
LARGEST SALARY 90 EVER
PAID BALL PLAYER.
FIGHT OVER PLAYERS
DAY SEES BATTLE BETWEEN FED
ERALS AND MAJORS FOR
MEN-MANY SIGN FOR S.
-
SEASON. 4fss1al
FIGHT OVER PLAYERS

NEW YORK. March s.-Tria
Speaker came to terms with President
Joseph Lannin, of the Boston Red
Sox, tonight for what is said to ba
the largest salary ever paid ball
player and a bonus of cash for sign
ing his contract This was after an
all-day battle between organized
baseball and the Federal league for
the players services. Sam Crawford
signed up with his old employer,
Frank Navin. of Detroit.
Ivy Wingo and Magee made terms
with the st. Louis Cardinals and Mike
Doolan did the lame with the Phil
lies. Walter Leverenz signed a con-
tract to pitch again for the st. Louis
Browns Dick Egan could not reach
a decision with himself whether to
go with Brooklyn as he had promised
Ebbets he would do earlier in the day
or leap To the Federals. Steve Evans,
of the Cardinals. came out into the
open and signed to play in the young
league. That Is the sum total of the
widest days scramble for ball play
ers' services that the game ever has
known.
Feds Have Hopes.
President Gilmore would not make
a statement tonight. but others Of his
and perhaps Wingo and Magee might
yet be lured away. The attack GEN.
tered upon iris Speaker. who was
badly wanted to manage the Brook
lyn FederaIs. President Lannfn was
introduced on the Lusitania's deck by
Ban johnson and the Boston pet said:
I'VE want you in Boston, Mr.. Speak
err. You may see just how badly we
want YOU when I offer you blank
n. rs,@f fr,x vrsy
without restrictions Speaker said
he would not put his name to a con-
tract until he had seen and talked
with the Federals. This he did at
the Hotel Knickerbocker. q Every ar
gument was used, but T.4s renamed
firm, 1t is said that the Federals
went to $4,000 a year, but there II
no confirmation of this amount. Tnen
he left for another conference with
Lannin and the deal was signed and
sealed. Sam Crawford lost no time
in getting to President Navin. Mr..
Navin named a figure and Crawford
accepted. MY baseball days are
numbered said Crawford. II have
been with you nine years, Mr.. Navin,
and / guess ! shall end my career
with Detroit. We have a home there,
and J. think 1t is the right thing to
do by my wife and family"
GrldC&ii I1dhSt Aouhu TIC HdI -
grievance to meet with Mike Doolan,
who was promised $500 extra salary
for captaining the phiIlies one year
before Baker secured control OF the
club. The question was settled by
the president handing over that
amount in cash. Salary demands also
were disposed of quickly and Baker
considered his work done. Later the
Federals claimed that Doolan We
n, 81; Dat IL 80
this.
III he deserts after his promlsex
to me he is not the man I think he
isl replied Baker.
Dick Egan was another man easy
to approach. The Establishments ~
Charles Ebbets soon had him m :
receptive frame OF mind and both
announced that a three years COM
tract had been signed
The, signing" was verbal. Then
the .Eederals got hold OF Eyan and
ushefai. him into the presence OF U
lot of money--more than Is usually
seen in cash outside of a bark. EgAr
began to waver. but he had not STUN
bIed tonight He was weighing both
sides, ne said.
"Of course. T. promised Ebbets@
pleaded Egan. but when they wave
$4,000 in your face and tell you to
hCcP lt--yCSy SAAu 30 ~ yOAi CWL law
yer to draw up the contract for three
years-any kind. you know, not
regular baseball contract--and offer
to strike out the release clause and
put three years salary in the bank,
and--well. 1t makes a fellow think
mighty hard. can tell you"
Steve Evans bad less compunction.
In company with Mngee and Win90
he had promised 10 remain wfkh I'm
Cardinals at stipulated salary Hmigl
was done by cable within the 1a1t tyfos
weeks But when Steve saw tho F411sa
erai bank roll and WAS told he mighk4
take chunk out to play with talpIs
he lost his equilibrium entirely I'M
planned partially In his honor ~ IT.
Biltmors tomorrow night BSs