The Washington herald., 1914-10-20
BY WILLIAM FEET.

Joe Boehling. the Nationals crack
southpaw twirler, who three weeks ago
undrwent an operation for floating car
tTage in his left knee. has written
Manager Grihith from Richmond that
the operation was perfectly successful,
and that he expects to be discharged
from the hospital today.
The "Old Fox" was highly elated over
this news. He regards Boehling as one
Of the best portsiders in the American
League, and admits that had Joe been
able to give his best services TO the club
this season that the Nationals might
have finished higher up in the race.
Boehling hurt himself in mid-season,
while sliding to the plate, and. after
vainly attempting to pitch, finally had
to give Il up, as his left knee refused to
stand the strain.
In his letter TO Grifith Boehling adds
that he was able to walk around his
room in the hospital, and that his leg
felt no III effects Of the strain. He ex-
poets TO report for spring training In
March, and hopes to come through with
D good season for the Nationals.
According to the edict Of President
Gilmore, the Federal League is to be
stronger than ever next year. Instead
Of caving in under the loss Of the past
season, the owners have decided to chip
Sa another chunk Of money and play out
the string. The only clubs that made
money last summer were Baltimore and
Chicago, and they did not make enough
TO pay for the grand stands. Though
peunant winner, Indianapolis is said to
have lost heavily.
Says the Philadelphia Evening Tele-
graph:
ms winning oF the National League pennant and
~
may be = blessing in disguise for the club oEners.
II has put = premium the young player Of
modezts ability who = willing and eager TO i'm
prove and lesssned the value Of the star with
temperament
Ever National League and American League club
Il saddIed with the contracts Of several players
which have two three years to run. These ron
tracts have tsn-dsy clause in them, 90 that the
players must be paid no matter how good or how
poor they play. Il found last season that EEch
contracts were q drawback, as many Of the players
holding them lacked ambition after they were
signed TO such documents.
II was this more than any other which caused
such listleS playing BY some Of the teams Geo-Es
staTings and Johnny EIes were smart enouEs to
realize the conditions and to take advantage Of tie
situation Without such conditions. It is doubtful
II the Braves could have made their wonderful
spurt from last place to the lead in the National
LeaRue in 4 Httle more than two months.
The record Of the Braves, however. has shown
the uagnates a way out Of their difficulty. It has
proved that a young player Of moderate ability can
accomplish more, II he has ambition and Wlhns-
ness to play hard, than a sefsstished star who
doesn't propose to exert himself, once he gets
Eat contract without ten-dhy clause in his pocket
Not since Kitty Bransfield was chased
out of Pittsburgh by the gamblers and
became a member of the Phillies has
Pittsburgh been able to secure a first
baseman who would fill the bill Abstein,
Miller. Konetchy, and others were tried,
but all of them were found wanting.
Pittsburgh expected much of Ronetchy
when he was secured last winter in the
big deal with st. Louis. Konetchy. how |
ever, failed to come up to expectations. |
It is admitted that he has jumped to the |
Federal League. Followers OF the Pirates |