Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-07-10
SHROPSHIRE GIVES
SIDE IN KRAFT CASE
President of Nashville Club
Says Ebbets Paid Player
Too Much.
DOUBLED SOUTHERN WAGES

In lengthy letter President Clyde
Shropshire. of the Nashville club of
the Southern League, explains his
side Of the Kraft case. He admits,
just as Kraft said. that the player is
drawing nearly twice as much as the
Southern Association salary limit al
lows to player Yet he expects
Kraft to be perfectly docile and ae-
cept this cut when the Newark club
is willing to retain and pay him a
higher salary. Shropshire's letter, in
part. follows;
Il was badly in need of first base
man, and so notified Mr.. Ebbets, and
even agreed that If he would release
Kraft to Nashville I would be will
ing TO return the player to Brooklyn
at the close of our season. at the
regular waiver price.
81 was induced to make this con-
eession because my club was badly
in need of a first baseman, and Kraft
was the man ! wanted. The matter
dragged on from day to day, and
week to week, until. in desperation,
was obliged to buy another first base
man. which l did. and paid for.
Naturally. then, withdrew my offer
unless Brooklyn desired to retain this
player he would have to come to
Nashville unconditionally.
visited Garry Hermann.
TN order to satisfy myself posi-
lively as to my rights In this matter
! made a trip to Cincinnati, and con-
ferred with Mr.. Hermann. chairman
Of the National Commission, who in
formed me that unless Brooklyn re-
tanned Kraft the player would be sent
10 Nashville, if he played in organized
baseball
Kraft was given a contract with
Newark. calling for more than twice
the salary that he received in the
Southern League last season. In this
contract he had stricken therefrom,
so l am informed. the ten-day release
clause, and the disability clause, CIV
ing to the player contract absolutely
binding upon the Newark club.
II do not mean to question the right
of this or any other ball player seek
ing to advance in his profession. but
do question the right of any club
owner to make a player dissatisfied
with his lot. and thereby, perhaps,
pave the way for a player to desert
organized ball, and go into an outlaw
ieague, which. at best, can only give
temporary relief.
Where Shropshire Is Mistaken.
KRAFT has never intimated to me
anything about what his salary should |
be. and | am of the opinion, and |
think / shall be able clearly to prove, |
that left entirely to his own free will, |
this player would not have hesitated |
to return to Nashville.
lust in this connection, permit me /
To say that the Nashville club had |
claim upon another of it's players, and |
refer to Pitcher George Beck. AT /
the beginning of the season Beck and /
Kraft both happened to be on the |
Boston National club. Upon invita-
ton, ! went to Boston TO confer with |
both of these players. 1t so hap |
pened. however, that the day ! was !
in Boston, Brooklyn was playing Bos-
ION, and both Mr.. Ebbets and Mr..
Gaffney were in Boston at the time,
yet these two players were sent away
to play semi pro ball, and / did not |
have an opportunity to confer with |
either.
II was led to believe, however, that
unless withdrew my claim for Beck
be would jump, to the outlaw league,
and. believing this, and further be-
lieying that 1t would aid my chances
in securing Kraft, l withdrew all
claim to Beck. The real facts are
that Beck was anxious and willing to
and play on his former team
at Nashville, and was greatly dis
appointed when he learned had
my claim to him.
1.-THE result of this now is, so | am |
Informed. that Beck will shortl.' be |
In the Southern League again, but |
with a team other than Nashville. | |
mention this fact merely TO show that |
cases arise when anything |
but fair play is in vogue.
Il have long since sent my check |
for 81 800 to the Brooklyn Club, and |
the check has been cashed, although |
/ understand Kraft was flowed to |
continue playing with Newark after !
this money was received by the |
BROOKLYN Club"