Evening star., 1915-12-28

1t is true that Willard has not had a
lot of experience and. aside from win
ming from johnson, has beaten but few
good men, yet he Satisfied those who
saw him in. action at the Oriental race
track in Cuba that he would not be an
easy man for any heavyweight to beat.
Willard has one advantage over the
average champion in that he takes ex-
cellent care of himself and keeps in
perfect condition all the time. 1t will
not require more than a month or so
for him to get into perfect fighting
condition.
Though it is the general opinion that
Harry F. Sinclair. the man who brought
about peace in base ball. will retire
after disposing of the players he has
under contract, the rumor that he will
buy the Giants when he returns to New
York from Oklahoma will not down. 1t
is said that while there is some differ
ence in the price which Owner Hemp
jsstead wants and which Sinclair thinks
the club is worth, they are likely to
get together when they confer the next
time, early in January.
Sinclair is willing to pay an enor-
nous figure for the New York club. and
he believes that because he has con-
troll of all the valuable players of the
defunct Federal League he would be
able to strengthen the Giants more
easily than any one else. and he, of
course. realizes the McGraw forces
order to prove good investment the
first year of the new arrangement.
Jimmy Callahan is going to make
an effort to fill up the holes which
exist on the Pittsburgh team with
some Federal League stars, if he can
get them. Jimmy says he does not
they have ability he will add them to
his squad. and he seems to have the
sanction of Barney Dreyfuss in doing
has turned over the affairs of the team
ference, and Callahan for once will
have a chance to run his team as he
sees At.
That the Chicago Nationals made
up of the old Cubs and the Whales.
coming race is assured. hut that st.
Louis combination which is to be Sc
lected from the Browns Hickey lert
had in the race most of last season is
very apt to be a troublesome PROPOSE
ton in the American League race.
However, it will most likely be found
Federal League will not have such
easy sailing in the American. To be-
gin with, the ball Is not as lively as
it was in the Gilmore circuit. What
is more, they will be up against pitch
ing which is quite different from what
they have been used to. Some of the
hard hitters from the Feds may live up
TO the pace they set last season, but
thew probably will be few.
No correct 1ine on either of the teams
which are to be made up of a combi-
nation of major and Federal League
teams will be had until the season is
we'll under way Then the real strength
Of the Federal League will be indi-
Gated.
Iris Speakers salary, according to a
report from Boston, is to be reduced.
It was said that Iris drew nearly
SIS 900 per season according to his old
contract, which expired last fall. and
there is no reason why he should con-
tinue to draw that much money.
Speaker, of course. is a good ball play
er, but he is not a drawing card. as is
Ty Cobb or Walter johnson. Further
more, that Boston club needs to cut
down it's salary list, which was $780,
600 last season. 1t cannot make re-
spectacle. interest on its investment at
such salaries. and Joe Lannin is sure
Ito cut most OF the champions 10 rs to
make II possible to make some real