The Washington herald., 1915-01-07
Purchase Of Lajoie
Big Boost for Macks
Athletics Stand Chance to
Grab Off Another PEN
nant by Acquisition Of Big
Frenchman.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
By WILLIAM PEET.

Connie Mack has furnished US with an
other surprise. the buying of Larry La
| joie from the Cleveland club and an
nouncing that the big Frenchman will
I'LL in the hole at second base left va
cant by the departure OF Eddie Collins
to Chicago
Regarded as a wise manager and a be-
lever in the development of young play
ers Mack has set the tongues wagging
and started lot Of gossip among the
fans.
why was Lajoie, a veteran. supposed
to be ready for the minors, purchased?
What about those promising youngsters
supposed to be in the Mack corral?
How can Lajoie, who has slowed
up considerably the last few years ex-
pect to pull off the plays with such a
lightning side partner as Jack Barry?''
These are two question that baseball
fans as asking each other.
Connie Mack has his own ideas. He
knows what he is doing and unless all
signs fail he will prove to the baseball
loving public that in adding Lajoie 10
his collection of White Elephants he
paved the way for his club to jump right
up into the midst OF the 1915 pennant
fight.
In the first place Lajoie's presence
with the Athletic will not hinder in the
least the development of a young second
baseman, and Mack has a couple OF
promising kids who will be tried out on
the keystone sack. The mere fact that
both are youngsters and green makes 1t
necessary to fill Collins shoes with a
veteran until such a time as one Of the
youngsters will be ready to tumble into
the breach.
1t is true that Lajoie may not be able
to cover as much ground as Eddie Col
lins, and possibly some of Jack Barry's
throws will reach second before the vet
eran can snatch them. but don't over
look the fact that the big Frenchman is
still a great fielder and can hit that
pill.
Yes. it looks very much as IL Connie
Mack had made a wise move in adding
Lajoie to his forces.
II the twenty-one rule wasn't supposed
TO be in force in the National League
right now. John McGraw wouldn't
waste much time in getting the sigma
ture of Germany Schaefer to a con-
tract. The funny man of the Nationals
has been wanted by McGraw for a long
time. McGraw figured that Germany"
with his rapid-fre flow Of humor. would
do an awful lot to keep the Giants in
good spirits, and that Germany would
keep the fans amused during the dull
moments Of the game. But I can't
grab Schaefer now" said McGraw. IF
that twenty-one player rule is to hold.
I'll have a hard enough job in pruning
down my list of regular players to keep
within the limit"
'Packey" Mcfarland, one Of America s
cleverest boxers, has had a wide and
varied experience, and. of course. has
piled up a good bit of knowledge by be-
ing knocked about in the world. Some
of his sayings would do credit to a
Plato, Demosthenes. Solomon, or a Soc
rates.
Here are some samples:
Boxing is the best sport in the world.
It has done more for me than any other
business could. II has brought me in
contact with the best people living
only a sense of patriotism would
make me fight again. The lightweight
championship doesn't belong in England
1t ought to be brought back here.
Il have all the money 1 need. The
glory to be gained in boxing can do me
little good now.
Preachers or reformers should not de-
cry boxing; instead, they should encour-
age it from a defensive standpoint for
our growing generation. 1t need not be
brutal sport. had but one black eye
in my life and I never suffered a nose
bleed from a blow.