The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-01
STEWART WILL COME DIRECT FROM WINDY CITY TO BIRMINGHAM
From the Angle of the Bug
By ASA RouNrREE. JR.

to withdraw his claim, but this he ob- stinately refused to do. and asserted that he would pay $5oo0 if necessary to secure the player This ended mat ters so far as the Birmingham club was concerned as the refusal of the Rochester club to waive it's claim made 1t impossible for us to secure him.
 While in St. Louis both President Hedges and Manager Hickey of tho Browns were very cordial to me. and stated they were willing to favor the local club 10 almost any extent. but that their hands were tied because of this new rule, Branch Hickey assert ed he had several men on the bench whom he would be glad to release. but that several clubs in the three Class AA league. with whom he was not working in harmony, stood in the way, and that rather than turning the play CTS loose to these clubs he was keep ing them on hts pay role.
 ''We are by no means discouraged over the situation, and are still on the hunt for players to strengthen weak spots on the Baron team. Out fielder Stewart. who was secured from the Cubs, looks to be an exceptionally stellar performer. and will no doubt make splendid hitter. us his past record shows he Is full of ginger and nervy player He takes good care of himself and neither drinks pr smokes.
 Stewart is six-footer and is 1.-the and fast performer. Hank oDay stated before the deal was com pleted that stewart was adverse to playing in the south. and also that l would have some trouble getting him to consent to the arrangements.
 On the following morning 1 went out to the Cub plant and had nice, lonH talk with Stewart He was an agrce- able young man and stated frankly. that it was only question of salary with him. After a little dickering wes came to terms and the trade wU4 closed in the afternoon. "O'Day stated the main reason why he was parting with Stewart was That he was a left-hand batter, and was over supplied with them. The new Baron has the utmost confidence in himself and, while not egotistic, be- lieves fully in himself.
 "I wanted Stewart to start south immediately, but he stated he had
 
 1, he being cashier tn the winter for the Edison company of Chicago. and could not leave before that time. However, he promised to leave Chi cago Friday afternoon. This will put him in Birmingham some time Satur- day afternoon, Stewart will come d. rect to this city and will not report to Molesworth as was first intended The Barons open here Monday and fAx mi tad h. AJxxrtt cry he would be unable to get into the game before the opening series here with the Pelicans
 
 That some of the playing in the majors did not measure up to that in the Southern at times is the assertion of MT. Baugh. While on his trip the Baron president saw the Browns, Tigers. Pirates. Cubs and several other teams in action.
 "Why In a game between the Browns and Tigers several bones were pulled off that are almost entirely foreign to the Southern. The game went 13 innings and was won by thea Browns when with a man on second. a. St. Louis batter hit a pop fly between the mound and first. which both the pitch CT. second baseman and first base man let fall safe between them and the man on second scored with the winning tally.
 The Tigers have great machine this year and l expect that they will make a warm fight Tor the American league pennant. While the Detroit team was in St. Louis I saw Harry Covaleski and had a short chat with him before one of the games. He stated that he was pleased with h:s new berth and was determined to stick this time.
 At Chicago I also saw the Pirates in action and Fred Clarks players ap- pear to to be in the class of the National. konetchy is filling the gap at the initial corner srlendidly andN the whole team works smoothly.'