New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-06
LAJOIE BOUGHT
BY MACK FROM
CLEVELAND MAPS
Famous Slugger VIII Be
Called On to Fill Void
Left by Collins.
NINETEEN YEARS IN
THE BIG LEAGUES
Lobert Signs with Giants for
Three YearS-YankeeS Still
in Hands of Lawyers.
BY HAYWOOD BROUN.

BY HEYWOOD BROUN.
Napoleon Lsjoic will play second
base for the Athletics next season.
Connie Mack bought the release Of the
veteran inhelder from the Cleveland
American League club yesterday and
announced that the stalwart French
man would get a chance 20 dig his
spikes in the territory where Collins
once ranged. Mr. Mack did not say
whether he expected Larry 10 scar the
earth 20 the limits, left and right.
which Collins set for his kingdom, but
contented himself with the statement
that he hoped 10 use LaJoie as the
regular second bascman.
And so Napoleon goes back 20 the
land OF his baseball birth. II was with
the Philadelphia National League club
that Lajoie made his FIRST big league
appearance late iu the year 1896.
Larry, then, from the standpoint Of the
game, is as old as free silver, but he
is still live issue 10 pitchers, catchers
and the outfclders deep IN left, right
and centre.
After getting his start along with
Bryan, Lajoie remained with the Phil
lies until the season of 1901, when he
jumped a few blocks up the street and
Joined the Athletics. He was with
Mack only a season and half, for in
1902 he was sent 70 Cleveland, which
held him until yesterday. He managed
the club from 1905 until 1909. and
leaves his name behind him. Maps
was derived from Napoleon.
Even in his earliest days Lajoic was
not a fast man, but he did not have
10 run much. The outfclders attended
g I or-t- J, ho11
No man ever put more foot pounds Of
pressure into a swing than the French
man. The player who felded, or at
tempted to field, the raps from his bat
appreciated that. Last season he made
his 3,O00th hit in the major leagues,
and his average for nineteen years of
service in fast company was .34S, but
his mark last year was only .25S.
As a fielder Larry always conserved
energy. There was no waste motion in
his movements. He was Napoleon
Lajoie. and the bal could come 20
him. A remarkable pair Of hands gave
him a dizziness and a sureness which
atoncd for the fact that he was not q
great ground coverer. He was benched
by Cleveland before the close of last
season because he appeared TO be I'M
able 10 keep the pace set by that team,
WnlCn lllSltQ "A ONdl last III bAC
American League.
Isn't II remarkable the way Connie
Mack digs up these young players?
In the funny story the Irishman who
bet that he could drink a key Of beer
just before attempting the test went
out and drank a practice barrel IN or
d.. TO convince himself that he had not
overrated his proves. Just so Larry
Lajoie is certain 10 be hard hitter for
the Athletics. Hasn't he made more
than three thousand safeties already?
Philadelphia will now have d chance
TO choose between the various .nispro-
nuneiations Of Lajoie.
The eternal fitness Of thint would
be indicated if the Athletics wou d
win & championship next year, for
Larry, with all his nineteen years Of
big league service, has never been in d
worlds series.
Hans Lobert bound himself to the
Giants yesterday by signing a contract
for the seasons Of 1915, 1916 and 1917.
The contract does not contain the ten
day notice Of release clause.
George Stallings wished to make a
pennart certain for the Braves next
season, so he signed Sherwood Magee,
a veteran of eleven seasons. John Nc
Graw, having announced that he in
teade. 10 build up the Giants, seized
Hans Lobert, dean Of National League
third basemen. Connie Mack, desiring
q man 10 I'll the shoes of the incompar-
able Collins, fixed upon old Napo.e
Lsjoie. You need not wait. There -
no answer.
The Yankees are still in the hands of
the lawyers, but Captain Huston does
the deal will fall through.
Bill Donovan has just about decided
upon Savannah as the training ground
for the Yankees next season. Captain
Huston approves. particularly as the
hotels of that city are among the b~st
in the South. The captain is deter
mined that the Yankees next year shall
be a club Of class. He is 'et~rmined TO
raise their sartorial standing. Con
vince a ball layer that he is - person
Of importance" said the captain yes
terday, "and there's no holdinl him in
last place. Show me the haberdashery
Of team and ! will come pretty close
10 telling you where it stands in the
race"
Lee Magee manager Of the Tip Tops,
announced yesterday that he would
play an infield position with the team
next season. "The infeld furnishes
more action than the outfield, and /
think that can get moe out of my
men there" said Lee. 1--WE played g..
around the diamond, and am just as
much at home in the infeld as further
away from the plate"
II IL could be arranged, a debate be-
tween Charles II. Ebbets and , native
Of California on the subject, Resolved,
THAT Daytona is the most beautiful
spJt in the world" would contribute
IA rely TO the supply Of adje-tives in
the English language.
N n IT. A