The Washington times., 1915-12-28
SINCLAIR LAUGHS AT REPORTS.

SINCLAIR LAUGl
Harry Sinclair. the money man behind
the Feds, laughs at reports that the
American and National leagues will not
take back any Federal League players.
"All the leagues" he SAYS. "kidded us
last year with being 'bushers.' but
watch the scramble for these 'bushers'
when the word goes out Especially in
New York were we laughed at, but now
both the Giants and the Yankees cannot
get enough stars"
Phil Ball, who is the new head of the
st. Louis Browns. is a minority stock
holder. Otto Stifel, the brewer. owns the
controlling interest in the club, but does
not care to take a prominent part in
baseball, not having the necessary time.
Ball is popular in the Mound city, and
expects to have a successful year in
1916. Stifcl looks forward to a great
season for the Browns.
THE fans can expect to see the pen
nant at Sportsman's Park next season."
says the brewer happily Fielder
Jones gave them all a great run last
year with his makeshift team, and with
players like Weilman. Sis!er. Pratt. and
Shotton added to Ernie Johnson, Daven-
port Plank. Deal, and the rest of our
boys, he will walk home with that PEN
nant.
I'VE came into baseball to give st,
Louis q winner. We missed out last
year by so small fraction that 1t can't
he put in three figures, but Jones will
hring the worlds series games here next
tal."
The future Of Branch Hickey. the Sun
day school manager of the Browns for
the past two seasons. is guess. One
ruT1or has Ban johnson taking care OF
him. Another has him retiring from
the national game. The new owners Of
the club will examine his contract. II 1t
runs through 1916 he may be paid OF in
full and allowed to go his own sweet
way. II 1t is not ironclad. he may lose
out.
Fielder Jones. former leader of the
worlds champion Chicago White SoX.
will be given full power to do as he
wishes in St. Louis next season. and
those who know him say that this
means that the Browns will be in the
running for the flag from the very be-
ginning. Jones had nondescrtpt club
last year. yet he was merely nosed out
for the Federal League championship.
With the amalgamated Browns, he
should meet with far better luck in 1916.
Now that he has quit the American
League. II is said that Col. Bob Hedges
may become the owner of the Cincin-
natl Reds. Hedges was manufacturer
of buRgies in Cincinnati before becoming
a baseball mogul, and 1t Is thought that
he wants to return to the city on the
Rhine.
The Fleischmanns are said to be will
ing to get out Of baseball, and that
Hedges may purchase their interests.
With Hedges will be John e, Bruce,
wbo owned some stock In the Browns
until tho present peace negotiations. Ed
Gwinner, the Federal League owner in
Pittsburgh, was offered the Cincinnati
club in New York. but turned 1t down
for chance to get Somers' interests IN
the Cleveland club. What luck he Will
have in the Forest City remains to be
seen. But there is a chance for an out
slider In Cincinnati. and Hedges is 60
ing after 1t.
Although the Baltimore fans are
worrying considerably about the
future of their city in baseball, it is
generally thought the Jersey City
franchise in the International League
viii be transferred to the home Of
Jack Dunn. 1t is unlikely that Dunn
viii have tho club. maining in
RiGhmond, but Baltimoreans should
have some baseball next summer,
just the same. Something must be
done with those Federal leaBuers not
protected by iron clad contracts and
the larger minor leagues will prob
ably get most or them. BalttmOre's
Federal League club had some good
players in it's lineup, and, With some
more men, OCght to have a team
worth supporting. There is little or
no chance of any big league clubs
heing planted in tho Monumental
city, but a strong minor league orga-
lization ought to make good, now that
the Feds and their clamor about be-
ing a big league have passed away.
Whom the best of the Feds take
their places In the big show, some
veterans must drop back. Most OF
the Feds viii hardly be able to stay
as high as Glass AA and some viii
be fortunate to stick in Class a
ranks. With the incoming Feds
many big league veterans will fall
hack to the Class AA clubs, over
crowding them, Therefore. the Inter-
national League, the American Asso-
ciation and the Pacific Coast League
tossed at their heads before spring
comes. It will be wholly up to the
baltimore magnates and manager
whether or not the Monumental City
has a strong team in the Interna-
tional League.
George Stallings, for the past three
seasons manager of the Boston Braves,
may be found In the international
League next summer. He is angling for
n controlling interest in tie Newark club
I'm the Barrow circuit, and II he sue
own club.
stallings had fair luck in 1913 and
raced away to great glory in 1915 when
his Braves won the worlds title In four
straight games from the hitherto in
vincible Maekmen. His methods were
severely criticised. however. during last
season, and seeing an opportunity "a
SaoOme a magnate, he has Jumped At II.