Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-25
DOC JOHNSTON NOT TO
Be A NAP NEXT SEASON
Never Again Play for Manager
Joe Birmingham.
FEATURED EVERY POSITION
Causing Batting Slump-Boston
and ST. Louis Make Overtures for
the Services Of the Star-I}aSeball
Sparklets.

mex, seasGn"1this IS the remark which
Cleveland last week. when he was
drawn into discussion of the outlook
for 1915. The statement was shown to
the physician.
birmingham means that as a threat"
was Johnstons first comment. but L
am taking Il as n promise. l only hope
that he is telling the truth" All of
which is an emphatic assertion that
Doe IS no mere anxious TO perform in
Napville next year than Is B!rming-
ham TO have him do So.
Johnston does not want. 20 play In
10 during 1914. The lad. who first rose
TO fame after Cholly Frank took him
to New Orleans from Chattanooga in
Cleveland through and through, or
rather Is sore on birmingham. He has
no particular grievance against Nap
fans and none again Somers.
Johnstons an;ipathy for Birmingham
was born during the middle of the
campaign, when the Nap pilot. in an
eTor, TO break the slump which as
sailed the club after the jump of Fall
kcnberE. shook the team up In man
ner never before witnessed in major
league circles. Dos was assigned to
every berth except a battery one. and
as was to be expected got ont of stride
a hitting slump promptly seized the
physician, and then Birmingham be-
gan TO crab. Doc came back strong
minsham We're soon at logEerheads.
Doc wanted TO leave and Manager JOS
eph. TO all appearances, wanted him TO
depart.
Then came the straw that broke the
camels back Boston and ST. Louis
both made overtures for Johnston, but
proceeded 10 inform Doc, however. that
every club in the majors had waived
upon him.
When the St Louis and Boston clubs
n CLEVELAND h@ir trIn
Doc got wise 70. fair. and when he re-
allied how he had been deprived Of a
mind TO which his former mental status
was not comparison. There has been
no material change in his feelings
since.
AS ye, Johnston has no. heard word
club directly. he has plans OF his own.
however. for the next year and they
do not contemplate another sojourn IN
Napville. The exact terms OF the CON
tract which exists between SoUers and
Johnston are not known. but the mis-
sive contains the ten-day release clause
and calls for a bonus
When Doe signed last winter. the
Feds were right on his train and SOM
ers. to bring him into the fold. gave
him contract which provided that he
the salary at which he signed and the
salary which the Fcderals offered, pro-
N!ded the Gilmore circuit continued it's
existence. AS il now looks the bonus
is due.
Johnston has no, divulgcd his plans
for next season in detail. but il is
known that he hopes 10 become free
agent and ii Is limited that he will
make Somcrs the proposition that he
Will give IN his bonus II released un-
condittonally. But. II any rate, he Will
not be back at Cleveland.
Jimmy IsaminEer, OF Philadelphia.
rises 10 remark that Marty OToole
viii not Jump 10 the Feds. The best
poor Marty could do. according 10 Jim.
Is to walk TO them.
Jimmy Austin. who recently hoped
from the ST. Louis Browns 10 the Pitts
burgh Feds, is the ambassador Of the
Feds TO George Baumgardner. says the
81. Louis Star. "Baumie,' who jumped
10 the Feds last winter, hut hoped
back TO the Browns is again In q re-
bellious frame o! mind and has not
signed his contract: Baumgardner has
PROMISED Branch Hickey that he would
sign next spring in Houston. However.
where contracts are mere scraps Of
paper. what faith can d manager put
IN promises,