New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-19
COOMBS SHOWS
HOW The MIGHTY
HAVE TUMBLED
Services of the Once Great
Pitcher Appear To Be
Going Begging.
HARTZELL SIGNS
WITH YANKEES
Exodus of Local Baseball Men
TO Scene of Federal Suit
Al Williams a Giant.
BY HAYWOOD RROUN


Jack Coombs. who pitched ffty-three
seoreless innings IN 1910. is so little
sought these DAYS that Steve and Ed
ward Mckeever fastened TO deny last
night a report from Palestine. Tex,
that he had been signed by the Su-
perbss Charles II. Ehbcts left here
yesterday in order 10 be in time TO
get front scat AZ the big suit IN
Chicago. but his baseball partners were
certain that the announcement Of the
acquisition Of Coombs was q mistake.
Robert r. Ward, the owner Of the
Tip Tops. also is headed for the legal
battle in the Middle West. and no ono
else connected with the Federal League
club could say whether or not Colby
Jack had been added 20 the pitching
staff OF Lee MaCee IL is understood.
however. that Danny Murphy went on
hunting trip with the once great
pitcher OF the Athletics q few weeks
ago and talked with him concerning a
possible opening in the Federal League.
The condition Of Coombs does not
warrant much hope Of his being able
20 get back 20 his form Of old when
he was the iron man Of the national
game.
Coombs Joined the Athletics in 1901,
coming straight from Colby. lie was
teams until he injured himself pitching
against the Giants In worlds series
game in 1911. Since then he has been
finkered with by maiy doctors and has
recained health. but nOt pitching eff
Cheney he worked last year IN sew
ersl exhibition games. but m only
few innings OF league contests.
The swiftness OF the fight Of time
in baseball is perhaps illustrated as
seenly ~ ever u was M the case o.
Jack Coombs There was a note OF IN
dicnation in Mr.. McKccver's voice yes
terday when he denied that the name
OF Jack Coombs was 20 be added 70
list Of pitchers which includes Reul-
bach, a Sohmutz and a Eacan.
Row Hartzell. the Yankees maid Of
oil work. sent his signed contract Tor
the season Of 1915 20 Bill Donovan yes
terday. Roy is one OF the few mem
hers OF last years team who can shoot
baseball on the wing, and II ne is 10
be displaced from the outheld. Dono-
van will have TO dig up some man who
was not with the club last year.
AL Williams. q law student al Ford
ham University. signed contract with
the New York Giants yesterday IN order
20 keep in touch with his studies dur
ing the summer months. Williams IS
pitcher. and was lent 10 Jersey CITY
by the Giants last season.
Captain Huston and John Heydler
left here yesterday 10 attend the Fed
eral League suit in Chicago Harry
Hampstead. who is IN Indianapolis, VIII
run over to take in the proceedings.
The action before Judge Lands
should bring 70 light large amount OF
interesting news about baseball. pc
rusal of the afhdavits OF men in organ
ized baseball reveals the following
facts Of interest 10 the fans:
l. "A professional baseball game IS a
contest between two opposing clubs
composed Of nine players each.
,. THE 81. Louis American League
Baseball Company is organized for
profit"
?. "The purpose OF baseball game
is for one side or the other TO win
One item Of special interest Is con-
tanned in document submitted by
Robert L. Hedges. in which Mr. Hedges,
IN speaking of the annual spring series
between the Cardinals and the Browns,
states These games excite great in
terest in st. Louis
Yet even lawyers have some concep-
ton Of the game and rs players, for
one affidavit refers 10 zone Hal Chase
Every fan knows that there Is no other.
l. would be interesting 70 know what
pressure was brought 20 bear upon
Clark Griffith 20 induce him TO sign
the document In which he confesses
that he WIS born IN 1870.
William F. Baker and jim Gafuey
met yesterday and iscuSsed what play
ers the Philadelphia club should get
from the Braves IN return for She--
wood Magec Mr. Gafney said that
they had come 10 half an agreement
The half OF the deal which has been
settled upon is probably the transfer
OF Tom Hughes.
Heinie Zimmerman. the hardened Of
fender OF the Chicago Cubs, thinks that
when the National League chose Gov
ernor rs its president il should have
picked Cole Blease, The pardoner.
Jim Gafney SAYS that the new play
ing field Of the Braves will be so big
that il will be possible for Larry Nc
Lean 10 make home run inside the
grounds.
Chief Meyers has not bought a single
Quart OF champagne since the govern
ment put on that 20-cent war tax.
Omcially the Maps are now the Ind
ians. but there is q strong movement
among the fans 20 call the Cleveland
players the gas metres Correct, be-
cause they are always IN the cellar.
where do you get of to write base
ball. Get wise 20 yourself and take a
vacation" a fan wrote 20 US several
DAYS ago in a helpful little note. IN
which he pointed out that we had said
Roger Pipp, was with Providence last
season. although. ss a matter OF TACT
no PLAYED with Rochester.
We have withheld public apology
until such time as We could find some
one with whom We might split the
blame. In "Thc Globe" yesterday SID
Mercer quoted Ty Cobb As saying: "bill
Donovan won the international League
remnant with Pipp on hrst base last
season" II We have erred We erred
With Lincoln, as 7. X. would put II.
When anybody speaks Of the colonel
these DAYS he finds IL necessary 20
specify whether ne means Rupert or
Roosevelt
College Coach Made Umpire.
Harrisburg. Penn. Jan. 1s.-Gover-
nor John X. Tener. as president Of the
National League. to-day appointed
Ceor0e Cockhill. Of Lewisburg, mana