Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-06
JOHNSON MOST
VALUABLE MAN
IN BASEBALL
FederaIs Rank Jackson Next to
Washington TwirIer and Place
Ty Cobb Third,
Bv Bill Bailey.

HCAGO, Feb. 1.-THE Federal
Leaguers figure that Walter
johnson, the Washington twirl-
er, IL the most valuable man in or
ganized baseball. The same fellows
figure that Joe Jackson ranks mex,
and that Ty Cobb, whom many be-
iieve TO be the greatest of his day, is
third. Heine Zimmerman, the Cub
slusger. and several fellows on the
Philadelphia Athletics are tied for
fourth
The Best way 10 Ard out what fel
low really thinks OF something ne
wants is to find out what he will pay
for II. It's a certainty that ne VIII
pay the top price for the Thing he
values. And It's upon this basis that
the worth OF johnson. Jackson and
Cobb is fixed.
Along about the time that the Fed
erals really began to be taken seri-
ously, which was soon after Joe Tin
ker. Mordecai Brown and Otto Knabe
left the organized ranks, telegram
was sent to Johnson. II wasn't known
by Tinker and President Weeghman,
Of the Federals, that he was under
contract. AT any rate, they said they
didn't know The Washington tWiri-
er answered that he was under legal
ODlkdtiOUS ~ Pias WIN " - -
but that lie thanked them for the OPP
portunity just the same.
HIITHAT would YOU have given him
w a vear?" Tinker was asked.
Il think Mr.. Weeghman would have
told him to insert his own figures In
the contract" answered Tinker.
Yes. but in dollars and cents what
would you have given him. 1t was
persisted.
Wei. think Mr. weeghm1n
would have given him between $4,000
and $50. 900 year answered Joe.
Soon after came a report that while
Cobb had been in consultation with
Frank Navin and and had practically
agreed upon terms that he had not
signed a Detroit contract You re-
member the telegram that President
Weeghman sent him? II called Tor
$4,000 a year and was to run for f1ve
years.
That's what the Federals thought
az Cobb.
THE next fabulous sum offered was
To Joe Jackson. Just short time
ago came a message from GreenVllIe'
8 C. the home of the Nap slugger.
II was 10 the effect shat Jackson had
been offered ss5. 600 for three years
That's almost $4,000 a year. which
shows what the Federais thought OF
Jackson.
Now. when the Federals were in
session in Chicago on that memora bic
day when The league was advertised
to blow" and when President Weegh-
man demanded a show down, one CT
the managers met Heine zimmerman
what are the Cubs paying you
uueried the manager.
II don't see that II is any Of yo IT
business" was fIeine's rs;ort.
We'll we will give YOU $1,000
year and let YOU sit on the bench II
the courts hold that we can't play
YOU, was the come back,
NOV. don't get the wrong impress
~ sion. Don't for a moment sup
pose that We are trying to tell you
that Jackson is more valuable man
than Cobb, or that Johnson Is worth
more than either.
Ball PLAYERS and the fans entertain
no such opinion The majority of the
players have an idea that Cobb stands
alone among felders. hatters. base
runners. and that he is worth two
Jacksons They will tell YOU that 1t
is toss-up when II comes to rank
ing Cobb and Johnson. BY watching
the crowd YOU will get the impression
that II is also a toss-up between the
two so far as their drawing power Is
concerned
There's usually a fair crowd at
every league game IN which Cobb par
ticipates II Is also true that there
is big crowd al every game in which
Johnson Is advertised to pitch. It's
almost impossible TO estimate the
value to the playing strength OF A
team of a man like Cobb. He wins
many a contest during the year. But,
then II is also mighty difficult to fig
ure what fellow like Johnson is
worth and especially what he would
be worth 20 n team fighting for 4
pennant.