New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-03
KING" COLE READY
TO JUMP OUTLAWS
Captured by Arthur Irwin
and Led to Stronghold
of Yankees.
SAYS HE WANTS TO
DO THE RIGHT THING
Frank Farrell Considers He Has a
Legal Contract, and Big
Pitcher Thinks SO, Too.

King" Cole. once a pitcher with th'
CHICAGO cubs. who was drafted by th'
Yankees from Columbus and recently
captured by the Chicago Fedorals' Is or
the point Of jumping back again TO orsan'
lied baseball
AZ any rate. he is in the hands of the
Yankees. and Frank Farrell president
OF the club IL confident that he viii sigI
in a day or two. The pitcher was capt
urod i'm Chicago by Arthur irwin ano
brought on yesterday under close guard
lie was rushed from the train TO the Of
fees OF the club. where large audience
Of newspaper men had gathered by nvi-
tation 10 sec the show.
The sketch was entitled THE Prodiga $
Return" cole was cast as the prodigai,
but il must be confessed that he looked
more like the fatted calf when the au-
dience began 10 heckle him. The llghl-
ming effects were superb. as King cole
costume was one Of the most brilliant
ever seen in New York.
Colo is without doubt disciple OF faui
Poiret. who thinks that mans costume
should reflect his soul II may be said
without fear Of contradiction that Cole 5
soul is giddy. The quietest factor in his
makeup was his cravat. neat study In
greens and pink. II Broadway ever sees
the King in all his glory no one will
need 10 ask why did the chicken cross
the street" incidental music was furnish
Cd by the newest paid Of shoes ever pur-
chased on Michigan Boulevard. Their
every squeak seemed TO say Won't YOU
come and tango with me?'
Arthur Irwin, az the old scout who
braved death and Chicago TO rescue the
crring pitcher. gave one of the most fin
ished performances Of his career. Not
only did he carry his own part, but he
sought TO come TO the aid Of Cole, VINO
forgot his lines several times.
Old King Cole may have been a
merry old soul. but it is not recorded
that ne ever had 10 face twenty inquisi-
tive reporters at the same time. or lac
might have looked just as frightened as
his young successor yesterday
According TO the contention OF Frank
Farrell king" cole is already as firmly
bound to the Yankees as II he had signed
a contract.
Mr.. Farrell received letter from Cole
on December 26, in which the PLAYER
stated the 'erms on which he would sign.
Two or three days later the club accepted
these terms by telegraph and confirmed II
by letter About the same time Cole
signed with Joe Thinkers Federal League
club in Chicago. but the lawyers say that
tho acceptance Of the figures set by the
PLAYER will constitute a clear contract If
n ne
cole said yesterday that he had come
on 70 do what is right" Later he ex-
planned that he meant TO make the most
advantageous financial terms possible
Cole is greater as pitcher than as a
6nancier. He could not tell very clearly
the nature Of his contract with the out
laws. II contained. Cole thought, pro-
.ision that the club might call off the
agreement with a ten days notice, but
ne had a faint recollection that he had
scratched out this particular provision be
fore affxing his signature.
According 10 Arthur Irwin the Federals
captured the unwary pitcher by suddenly
showing him a roll containing $500. mostly
I'm 81 bills This was thrust into the
pitcher's hand. and before he had recov-
cred from his dazed condition he had
signed a three-ycar contract with the
outlaws
Colo. although only youngster. reached
the height OF his pitching fame in 1910,
when. after a brilliant season. he won the
only game which the Cubs captured in
tho worlds series with the Athletics. He
never showed the same form again while
with Chicago. and finally drifted to the
American Association after short stay
i'm Pittsburgh
With Columbus. in the American Asso-
citation he regained his old form, and was
The practical leader OF the league in pitch
ing effectiveness last season
Frank Farrell offered $4,000 for his re-
lease. but the owners OF the Columbus
club refused and took chances on the
draft Luck failed them, however, and
pWued on the Yankees, and Cole was
drawn.