Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-25
Bv Frank G.. Menke.

het, LOT instance. AT Iile TIME betliN
Hermann. boss" of the Reds, placed
him on the auction block large num-
Der of baseball club owners lost their
equilibrium and several other arti-
fetal possessions in the mad scramble
for the said MR. Tinker.
All the organized magnates, at that
particular period, figured that Tinker
was one of the most valuable short
stopping persons in captivity. Pitts
burg wanted him, so did Philadelphia.
The ST. Louis Cardinals longed for
Tinker with a fervent longing. Ditto
for Brooklyn. A half dozen Ameri-
can League teams wanted Tinker, and
would have injected themselves into
the battle for Thinkers services had
they felt there was a chance of land
ing him. But there wasn't. Tinker
was on the auction block, all right,
but only National Leaguers' bids were
recognized.
Hermann, the proud and naughty
owner of Tinker. assured the popu-
lace ever and anon that Tinker was
one of the greatest ball players in
these United States. c. Holiday Eb-
bets, president of the Brooklyn club,
agreed with the Ohio River resident,
and finally annexed the aforemention-
ed Tinker gentleman after agreeing
to the "nicking" of the Brooklyn
bank roll to the extent of $4,000.
JOY PercoIated in Ebbets' Bosom.
And then joy percolated In the
bosom of Mr. Ebbets. He lifted his
voice to the siren pitch in trying to
tell everyone on this hemisphere the
happening of Tinker made 1t certain
Brooklyn would grab the 1914 Ma
tional League bunting.
Thinker is worth twice what I paid
for him." bleated Ebbets.
Up rose Frank Farrell, owner of
the New York Americans.
Tinker is a wonderful ball player,
has wonderful skill in transforming a
mediocre infield into first-class
combination and easily is worth
NOu,UUu, asserted FdTrcIl.
A short period later Tinker Topped
the-loop and landed in the outstretch
ed net of the Federal League anglers.
And then, in the twinkling of an OPP
! tic, the organized baseball crowds
idea as to Tinker's worth skidded off
about 80 44-100 per cent.
Taking it from the statements be-
| ing made here and there these days
| by the organized persons, Tinker is
about through as a major league per-
| former Tinker, so we are informed
! just now, is a trouble maker, his
habits are not of the best, he has a
| SPAWN, is a sufferer from st. Vitus
| dance, has eight or nine broken bones
| in his throwing arm, will be detri-
ment instead of an aid to any team of
which he is a member, and ought to
| be in Jail.
| Again we ask-isn't 1t odd how GER
| tain little incidents will cause a
| startling shift in opinion?
And $3.50 Bought Tinker.
The same Tinker, whose sale by
| Cincinnati to Brooklyn involved $25, :
600 and established a record price for
a ball player, once was sold for $3.50.
! That was seventeen years ago.
| In 1896. when he was 16, Tinker
played third base for an amateur team
| in Kansas City, called the John Tay-
lor Club Eddie Oswald, aged Is, act
| ed as manager.
At the end of the 1895 season an
amateur team known as Hagan's
| Tailors wanted the services of Tin
kerr Tinker wouldn't jump to their
team until he'd been given permits
sion by young Oswald. Tinker and
Oswald talked the matter over at
great length, and they decided that
it would be a good plan to sell Tin
kers services to the Tailors.
We'll go fifty fifty on what I get
out of the SALE" Oswald assured Tin
ker
Oswald set a price OF SIS on Tinker.
The Hagan's Tailors decided that the
sum was exorbitant After much
dickering and much consultation con-
| corning the funds in hand, the Tailor
gang offered Oswald $3.50.
That's all the money we can scrape
together" they told Oswald
Oswald ran back to where Tinker
was waiting.
How much did they Offer" quizzed
Tinker before Oswald could get his
breath back after his sprint.
Dollar an half" gasped Oswald.
Tinker ruminated a bit.
That's kinda cheap" said Joey.
Cant get 'em to make 1t So, can
you?"
Nope; s'll they got" responded Os-
wald
"All right; close the deal" directed
Tinker BE sure they give you the
| money right away"
Oswald got the money. Tinker shook
hands with the manager of the
Hagan's Tailors TO bind the CON
tract" and for the next two days
Tinker and Oswald Toasted on candy,
pies and creampuffs.
Brakeman Breaks Up Team.
In 1897 Tinker's great work for
| Iagans Tailors enabled them to win
the championship. The next season
Tinker hooked up with the Schmel-
zers, a team that had regular uni
forms and Joe though he had
reached heaven. In 1899. Tinker quit
the Schmelzers and Joined a CO. opera
tive team in Parsons. Kans. Some
weeks Tinker would get as much as
81 for his services. The team was
beating its way on a freight train one
Gay when brakeman discovered
them. He chased them off the train
and the team broke UP right then and
there.
The next year Tinker landed a Job
as third baseman and shortstop with
the Coffeyvlle. Kans., team He got