The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-08-27
FIELDER JONES
now FED PILOT
Former White Sox Leader AS
surnes Charge Of St,
Louis Club.
SALARY NOT ANNOUNCED
Understood that $4,000 Was Price
Named-contract Also for Sea-
sons of 1856.


Fielder Jones. the man who made pos
sfhle the coinage OF the phrase ''hitless
wonders" has returned to baseball as
manager Of the st. Louis Federal League
club.
This announcement was made yester-
day by President James A. Gilmore, Of
the third league, who admitted that Sthe
former wiEard-piIot OF the White sox at
a meeting in ST. Louis last Tuesday
signed a contract to assume the burdens
now carried by Mordecai Brown. The
move was withheld at Jones' request to
give him time to return to Portland.
Greg, and resign from the presidency OF
the Northwestern League.
Jones will formally supplant Brown
next Friday when the st. Louis club Is
at home. He viii continue in that role
during the seasons Of 1915 and 1916 &C
cordiRg to the document signed by him
and the hackers of the Mound City CLUB.
Just what salary was offered to entice
Jones back into the game is not known,
but It is understood that $4,000 or there
abouts will go to the eX-National and
American League star for his term OF
service.
The acquisition Of Jones is considered
a ten-strike by the Federal League back
ers. The former SoX manager in his day
was ranked with the greatest In his
line, and his coming will not only pro-
duee a change in the St Louis team but
will prove a move that will arouse new
interest and a corresponding swell in the
gate receipts in Gilmore's circuit
= Surprising as II may seem after he had
forsaken baseball for a less turbulent
life, Jones signed for more than the
money involved. He was never a believ-
er in organized baseball. He was hostile
toward the combine even in the early
days Of his career when he signed to
play with McGraw's Giants during the
season Of 1904, only to be forced 10 re-
main with the White Sox because the
two major leagues entered into an agree
ment respecting the reserve clause. He
wanted to go tn New York.
From the above. and the fact that
Jones quit the White SoX when looked
upon as the wizard manager OF the bust !
ness and later refused all offers to re-
turn, It may be taken to mean that a
personal grievance is behind his defee- |
ton.
Jones will handle the St. Louis team
from the bench. He has not yet delved |
into conditions among the players now
managed by Brown. but will institute
several changes as soon as he assumes
charge. Brown will be taken care OF and
his full contract paid. If Jones does not
wish TO retain him as a pitcher, the Chi
feds stand willing to acquire him by
trade
Jones' last days in big league ball
came in the fall Of 1905, after the White
Sox had made a sensational fight for a
pennant. It was his ambition TO buy
stock in the club. bat Comiskey refused.
and, this brought about Jones retire
mert He had been manager since June.
1901 when he supplanteh James Gala
han. and in the season of 1876 piloted the
Sox to a league and worlds champion
ship, beating the Cubs in the big series.
OF the team of 1906 if has often been
said that hits were not necessary to win
ball games. e. It was because OF this re
markable scoring ability that they be-
canie known as the "hitless wonders"
Jones has always been considered the
man who made this possible, although
the msn under him offset lack of playing
ability ny using their brains.
Jones came-to the White SoX in 1901,
jumping the Brooklyn Nationals during
war times. He had been with the Dodg-
ers since the fall Of 1885 when drafted
from the Springfield, Mass, club. He
was with the Springfield club only part
of that season. playing under Tom
Burns; The latter picked up Jones after
the Binghamton. n. Y. club had dis
banded. Jimmy Callahan was pitching
for Springfield at the time.
When Jones reached the height of his
career he was regarded as one Of the
greatest Of all outfielders. As a batter he
was ranked by some as a rival of Willie
Keller for scientific hitting. Jones was
born at Shingle House. Pa, August 13
1871. He started on his brilliant diamond
career while a student at Alfred Univer-
sity