The Washington herald., 1915-01-10
Many Upsets Have Been
Crowded Into Short Space
of Time.
MACK STARTS THE BALL
Release of Two Causes Big
Sensation johnson Flip
flop Biggest Event.
BY BILL BAILEY.

The old Stove League has never en-
jOyed such busy season as the present
Never in the history uf the national
pastime has so much been crowded into
the short space of time since the 1914
championship race closed. as during the
three months just elapsed.
To be sure last winter the Feds gave
the baseball writer's a chance to earn
their salaries during the of season. but
just pause moment and consider what
has happened since the world series
curtain dropped in Boston one bright
sunny afternoon last October.
Connie Mack and his erstwhile world $
champions started the ball rolling. One
startling announcement after another
was published in the newspapers.
First came the report that waivers had
been asked on Plank, Bender. and
CoOmbs, veteran pitchers. This was not
denied by the tall leader from the
Sleepy City who promptly came across
with a good swift kick aimed al his
ancient rival, Hughey Jennings. charg-
ing the pilot of the Detroit Tigers with
breaking faith and violating one of the
rules of the American League by tip
ping of the newspaper men to waivers.
Jennings was prompt with an apology
and everything calmed down until one
fine day the story came over the wire
that both Plank and Bender had been
Internationally released. These veterans
quickly signed with the Federal League.
johnson Jumps to Feds.
Next came the news which shook Wash
ington from its very foundations. Wal
Ter Johnson has signed a two-year con-
tract with the Federal League" Column
after column was published in the local
newspapers. johnson was patted on the
back by few and stabbed in the same
place by many others for deserting the
Nationals
After everybody in the Capital had de-
cided to struggle along without Walter
Johnson next summer and watch GriT
develop Jim Shaw. Joe Engel Jack
Bentley, Harry Harper and others the
Old Fox quietly slid out of town, met
Johnson in Kansas City, and the great
pitcher fiphopped back into the fold of
organized baseball
Just prior to the Johnson bareback came
the story that Connie Mack had sold
Eddie Collins TO the Chicago White SOx
for $1,000
The Federal League was not sleeping
for a minute. Lee Magee and Ivy WingO.
Of the Cardinals. were grabbed at big
salaries but Wingo has been brought
back into the fold and will this season
wear the livery Of the Cincinnati Reds.
MaEee intends to manage the Brooklyn
Federals If the courts will let him.
Marquard Deserts Giants.
Rube Marquard supposed to be under
Al ironClad contract with the New York |
Giants. worked Manager Ward. Of the !
Brooklyn Feds. for a nice advance bonus :
and signed with the so-called outlaws /
The courts will be resorted TO in an
effort to make Marquard see the light I
There was a lot of dust kicked up .
when Charley Doom. Hans LObert and
Sherwood MaEee. Of the Philadelphia .
Nationals. threatened TO jump to the
Feds, refusing to hang around the Land .
cases were simply and effectuaIly settled. 3,
Boston grabbed MaEeC, the New York
g ants bought LObcTt. and Doom will
probably he shipped to Cincinnati
As if all this was not enough TO keep
The boys who dope out sports busy. Con-
mi" Mack goes TO Cleveland. buys Larry
I.ajoIe, the famous intieldcr, and an
n"unces that the hiE Fronchman will play
second base. the spot loft vacant BY the
departure OF Eddie Collins
on top Of this Is exploded the latest
hombsholl The Feds last week started
legal proceedings in the United States
Court Of Chicago to dissolve the national
commission. and this ease comes up for
= hearing in ten day Il
RAY Caldwell then fiD-fODpcd back tu 4
the New. York Yankees. i
What will follow before the major 4
league teams start South to train nobody
knows. but thus far the stove league has
enjoyed the busiest little season in its
history.