The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-12-31
Eppa Rixey Must Show
Or He Will Be Released
New Manager of fhillies Be-
lieves He Can Make Pitcher
Out of Virginian.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
By WILLIAM PEET.

| 1t appears that Grifr did not lose a
whole lot three years ago when he tried
| TO sign up Eppa RiXey, University OF
Virginia pitcher, for the Nationals and
! failed.
Rixey was pledged to sign with the
Phillies through Umpire Rigler, who
coached the college boys I'm 1872 and the
Old Fox could not do business with him
! for this reason.
Late In the season OF 1872 Rixey Joined
the PhilIics and was an immediate sue
cess, attracting the attention OF the
whole country. But the portslder did not
develop the way the Phillies expected.
In 1913 he refused to take the training
! trip South, as he intended to pursue his
studies at Virginia. The same obtained
last spring, and as a major league pitcher
during these seasons he was a failure.
Pat Moran, the new boss OF the Phil
lies, states in an interview that he is
confident he can make a real pitcher out
of Rixey If the big fellow will only con-
sent to accompany his club on its South
| eFn trip next spring. II not, Eppa will
be released or traded.
Griff Is also Of the opinion that RiXey
has the markings OF a real. sure-enOugh
! finger. He was sore at losing out when
he tried to sign him for Washington
| three years ago. but the fact remains
| that with the exception of a couple OF
months during the 1872 season Rixey was
not much Of a success in the National
League.
II Rixey is on the market and the Phil
lies are willing TO do business with the
Nationals, providing the other clubs in
that circuit waive claim to his services,
you can bet Grin will grab him.
The dispatch from Chicago yesterday
to the effect that Kid Gleason, the vet
eran pitcher and infielder. had been
handed his unconditional release by the
new manager of the Chicago White SoX,
came as n distinct surprise.
1t is rumorcd that Gleason may be
named as the next manager OF the New
York Yankees. Whether or not this is
fact remains to he seen. At any rate
Gleason will hardly be out of job very
long, for the writer happens to know
OF several big league managers who would
grab him in 4 jiffy.
When Wibcrt Robinson, pilot of the
Brooklyn Dodgers. was in the Capital
with his bunch for two games last April
lie said that h tried to sign Gleason
for a coach but the Kid at that time
was under contract with the White SoN.
Gleason brought out Southpaw Russell
and other players for the Windy City
team during the past three years.
Gleason began his big league career in
Philadelphia, when, in 1855, Harry Wright.
then manager OF the PhIIIies. signed him
as a pitcher. Previous to that Gleason
had attracted attention by his pitching
for Mount Carmel. williamsport. and
Scranton.
At the time OF the Brotherhood move
ment Gleason was one OF the few pitch
ers to remain loyal to the Phillies. IN
1894 the Kid joined the Baltimore team.
and helped the Orioles to win the pen
nant in 1894 and 1895. He drifted to the
New York Giants in 1895 and was a
member of the Giants until 1901. when
he signed with the Detroit Americans.
staying until the end of the 1902 season.
When Gleason rejoined the Phillies in
1903 he had become a second baseman.
He remained with the Phillies for nine
years. Three years ago he was signed
by COmiskey to assist Callahan in the
management OF the White Sox.
Gleason was always known as being a
glutton for work. lie was invariably the
first man on the field and the last one
to reach the clubhouse. He was ex-
tremeIy popular with the players. and
was considered A valuable man for any
team. Because OF his short stature. he
was Known as the Kid. Despite his small
size. he was known for his strength. and
none of the pugilist burles among the
players was ever anxious to mix 1t with
Kid Gleason.
Gleason today is recognized as one of
the smartest men in baseball. He has
always been a loyal individual. Last
year he had an excellent opportunity
with the Federal League and passed il
up because he had given his word to
Callahan that he would take the White
Sox on the spring training trip. In base
ball Gleasons word has been sufficient
It was Gleason who taught Otto Knabe
everything he knows about covering sec
ond base, and when Gleason became
incapacitated it was he who urged Muir
ray to give Knabe the chance to play
the bag. Gleason never got back in the
game after Knabe showed what he could
do.