The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1914-01-21

zied finance of baseball was reached
with the Federal leagues big offer to
Ty Cobb of $4,000 a year for five
years. Cobb last year was h highest
ceiving $4,000 from Detroit. He has
told President Navin of the Tigers
that he will sign a contract for next
Year, stating in a recent communica-
tion that he was satisfied with the
terms of last years contract.
Cobb has always been a hone of
contention Oh the Detroit team. and
n had to be humored before he
would consent to come back into the
fold.
Give Artificial Impetus.
The recent activity of the outlaw
league in threatening to invade the
territory of h major league clubs has
given an artificial impetus to the sal
aries of baseball players. Experienced
baseball men say that the high sal
absurd. in contrast to tho profits made
in baseball, and that when the reac-
ton comes the result will be the loss
OF a great deal of money by club own
crs. The only baseball clubs. which
really make money from season to
season are those which are in the first
three positions in the pennant race. A
s@''o N>0AsA NoSS " oAo" u wv uS lI
Its nome city or on the road.
During the past few years club own
ers have been TRYING to Guido each
other in paying abnormal prices for
baseball players. Since the DAYS when
Boston gave $4,000 to Chicago for
catcher Mike Kelly. the price of play
ers has SCARED until it now reaches
q stage. when Cobb is promised $7b,-
900 for five years service on the dia-
1nond. During the brotherhood trou-
bic and during the American league
raid. the value of baseball players
Jumped considerably, and the price
a been going up ever since. At the
tlonal league had a monthly salary
limit of $1,000 q month. There ia no
salary limit in the major leagues now,
and in the International league, the
leading minor organization, the salary
limit is $4,000, $4,000 more than the
salary limit of the National league in
1883. -
Take Gamblers Chance.
Gluo o"ners nowadays have become
SO reckless that they take q, gamblers
chance in purchasing players. Some
times the player is worth what is paid
Tor him. but oftentimes he fails to
| come UP to the value that is placed
upon him. In the case of "Rube''
Vanguard. for whom New York paid
L' II. AsAii was CdIIl0U NV
the club for a few seasons before he
showed any real merit. In the case
Of Lefty" Russell, for whom Connie
Mack paid $4,000, the pitcher failed
to measure up to major league caliber
and was shipped back to the minors.
Larry Chappelle. for'whom the White
SoX paid $4,000. has not vet shown
anything like that value.
Uncertainty OF Baseball Deals.
Joe Tinker is the latest Sanfnl Of
the uncertainty of baseball deals. Joe
was sold by Cipcinnati to Brooklyn
tor $4,000, the largest amount ever
involved in the purchase of a single
PLAYER. Tinker refused to abide by the
transaction and jumped to the Federal
league. whereby the Brooklyn club is
running a chance Of losing $4,000 on
the transaction. At best the deal will
probably involve much litigation and
trouble before final settlement of
the Tinker mater is made. Thinkers
reported arrangement with the FEEDER
trenzied condition of baseball finance.
He has been promised 5000 for
three years. and $4,000 Of this is al
ready supposed to be in a Chicago
bank in Tinker's name. that he is
now drawing the interest on this de-
post. Otto Knabc is also supposed to
have received $1,000 of his three
says that he has received part of his
st. Louis Federal league salary in adj
vance. IT this state of affairs is true.
it is contrary to the business princi-
pies of baseball, and the ~loveler heads
of the game predict tina it is sure to
result in a financial smash.
Last year Cobb refused to sign a
contract unless Detroit gave him $15,-
900 a year salary. President Navin
replied to .Cobb's demands by showing
him that, although he was ono of the
greatest drawing cards Of the game
the amount of money taken in by the
Detroit club would not warrant pay.
ing any man such a large amount. Sc
Cobb finally consented to take $12,.
Ooo. There are several players who
receive almost as much as that. Math.