Evening journal., 1914-11-05
Players RELEASE
Sensation OF week
Philadelphia Fans Stick by
Mack in His Surprising
Action
"FEDS" MAY GET
EDDIE PLANK

The one big sensation in the sport
ing world last week, from the view
point OF the all-around fan, was
Connie Macks action in summarily
Diminishing from the Athletic lineup,
Eddie Plank, Chief Bender and Jack
Coombs. It was an even greater
surprise to the world of sports than
Harvard's victory over Michigan at
Cambridge last Saturday.
When the first news Of the release
of the three pitching phenoms was
flashed over the wire, on Saturday.
the whole country sat up and took
notice. It carried thrill Of wonder
into the ranks of organized baseball
and it caused a scurry in the strong
holds of the Federal league. Fans
OF Philadelphia, New York Boston,
and all other big league cities stood
agape at the news, just as did the
diamond devotees Of Oshkosh and
Kalamazoo.
Looking deeper into the action Of
the renowned leader of the Ath-
letics than a first glance, the fan
sees the character of Mack more
plainly and more clearly than ever
before. After all the dropping Of
the three men is a characteristic
Mack action. Probably no other
manager would have had the nerve
TO brave the criticism of the fans TO
the extent Of cutting off from his
team three men who are noted as
being among the best pitchers in the
world
But Mack had. He did it as he
has done many other important
things, with all the assurance of a
Napoleon, and with as little hesitan-
cy as he would have released a re-
Fruit who had failed to show the
ability necessary during spring
training trip. He did it not be-
cause Hughey Jennings had leaked"
the story about waivers having been
asked on the three men, but because
he thought It was the best thing for
the Athletics and the best thing for
the players themselves.
And in the face of the action the
fans of Philadelphia are solidly for
Mack. They believe he was right
They hate TO see Eddie Plank, the
veteran Of many battles, and Chief
Bender and Jack Coombs depart
Every member of the trio is popular
in Philadelphia. But the fans dc
not hesitate to say that Connie knew
what he was doing. Some even &c
So far as to say that other faces may
disappear from the Athletic Lineup
before the beginning of the 1915 sea
son.
The question naturally arises
What will the three twirlers dc
now?" More easily asked than an
swered. with the possible exception
Of Plank, they will not retire from
baseball That is sure. Plank, who
is in his fortieth year, may decide &c
remain on his farm at Gettysburg ant
not get back into the game, but Ben
der and Coombs are sure to play, II
is said. Where they will play i:
another question.
All three are free to sign where
they please. The fact that Macl
asked waivers on them is now Of M
Importance. They have been giveT
their unconditional release. Planl
is dickering with the Brooklyn
Feds" and If he is offered a big sun
to play with the outlaws will prob
ably sign for a year or two, for IN
believes his arm will last that mucl
longer. Bender and Coombs are boil
hunting in the Maine woods an'
have not been reached.
There is hardly a team in eithe
tho American or National league tina
would not jump at the chance o
signing either one Of the three mel
and II is probable that Bender, a
least, will remain I'm the American
league. II Is understood that he 1
considering several offers and tb
team that offers the most money vii
probably land him.