The Washington times., 1914-06-21
"GeorSa Peac1 Tells Why MagnateS Don't Fix Races IVI
Ty Cobb Explains Why Baseball
Pennant Races Are On the Lever
powers that be will give us a strong
pitcher or two. What a chance!

Perhaps the ''fxers" don't like the
Tigers. however, and want Washington
to win the pennant. That makes 1t
easier still. Send Sam Crawford. Joe
jackson, or Eddie Collins to the Griff-
men. and then watch their dust. Boston
would be as good as in" with Collins.
Baker. or Barry. SO, you see. there Is
a choice of six clubs that can be made
pennant winners with little trouble.
1t would benefit the game as a busi-
ness proposition to select anybody but
Philadelphia, and get the Macks per-
sist in ignoring the good Of the
league" and hanging on to their play
ers; I;,n selfish 6ru'es that ,s they are.
to go to the trouble of having anybody
throw games," as they do in the fic-
ton tales. nor would 1t be necessary
for the umpires to receive any instruc-
tions to help one club and hurt another
were any of the changes have sus-
gested made. The club which was
strengthened as indicated could take
care Of itself, and, barring accidents.
would be practically certain to cop.
Why. then. do the men who arc sup
chance to fill their pockets without hav-
ing to pull anything that would be the
least bit illegal?
The reason is that the success Of
baseball rests upon its absolute hon.
esty. once let the big body of intelli-
gent fans get the idea 1t is Trained"
and a franchise wouldn't be worth a
nickel. The ,magnates would have =
legal right to do any of the things
did so. the public would know that
there was something coming off," and
confidence in the game would be de-
stroyed forever.
There are times when a trade may
hos frrr 1nfk maj hrrt aa
on the inside know that such deals
are always made in a perfectly honest
endeavor by two clubs to benefit them
selves. When Chase went to Chicago.
for instance, 1t looked as though the
New York club was making a fright
full mistake in taking a collecting OF
misfits for him, yet Hal wasn't satis-
ed with the Yankees and wasn't any-
thing OF an asset to them Now that
he is pleased with his Job he is playing
none Of the men whom New York re-
ceived in exchange did the Yankees any
good, the club is better off without
discontented player.
1t is not beyond the range Of the pos
sibilities that the White Sox will trade
one of their pitchers for a hitter or
two before this season Is over. But
they will do this, II at all. not to help
any other club win the pennant, but
despond. No matter how many shut
out hurlers q club may have, 1t can
not win ball games unless 1t gets at
least one run. and the Sox could az
ford to get along with q little less
mound strength one day In four or
five If they could pick up a fellow who
would increase the power OF their at
tack every day in the week.
This is the season Of the. year when
the scouts are beginning to look over
league in search of timber TO replace
men who are wearing out in the majors.
The Job OF a baseball scout Is not by
any means the one I would selec. for
pure enjoyment of life. but II is neces-
sary work and well paid. Sometimes an
ivory hunter Will comb the whole
country from Maine to California look
ing for ball players without finding a
single one who is worth his salt.
Travelling Is bad enough when you can
stick to the beaten track and live at
rst-class hotels, but II is a million times
worse when you have to go into the
small towns and live at dollar-a-day
hotels in the tank towns.
I heard a story about n young ball
player who wanted to be sure that the
major league scouts wouldn't overlook
him. so he went down to the hotel
where one Of them was stopping ard:
posing as a wise" fan. began to boost
himself.
You just ought to see this fellow
Smith," he said, Smith being his own
name. ''Hs can Sit like Lajote. Is
faster than Collins. and better fielder
than Speaker. Never saw his equal"
The scout took this all IN and made
up his mind to give the talented Smith
a flash at the ball park that afternoon:
Imagine his surprise when the fellow
on whom he had been touted so strongly
was none other than the young man
who had put in the boost that morning