Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-31

II AIRY DAVIS recently remarked, aIter
i i returning from scouting trip through
the American Association that the Cubs
paid about $4,000 too much for Chuck
Workman IL they really paid more than
s22, 500 to the Kansas City club for his re-
lease. In the opinion of fans who saw the
double -header between the Phillies and Cubs
on Saturday, Davis was right
The veteran captain of the Athletics said
that Workman was prospect and nothing
more. He said that 1t was possible that ne
might develop into great ball player as
he was n smooth fielder but that Workman
wns not of the type he was seeking. because
he did not think that the youngster ever
would he much of n hitter.
To our way of thinking. Davis sized up
Workman perfectly. II is now said that
the purchase price was $4,000 but II Pres
ident Weeghman paid more than the S22,6OO
record price for Workman. he should have
the scout who recommended that he pay
such a price and the Kansas City owners
arrested for pulling the old gold brlck'
game.
workman went through the two games
without n misplay and appeared to have a
great deal of confidence in his own fielding
ability. but he does not move over the
ground as fast such highly touted
player should he does not appear to have
a very good arm. and Is not likely to hit his
weight III IHe
In the first game of the double-header
workman made a single to right on Alex
ander the Great. but he hit fast ball with
nothing on it-Alexander not having thing
but his glove-while pulling away from the
plate. That was the extent of his hitting
for the day. and in the second game
Demaree showed him up badly Demaree
served Workman nothing but a sweeping
roundhouse curve, and the youngster was
pulling away from the plate with his left
foot and body.
Swung Away From the Plate
There have been several great hItters who
had habit of pulling away with their left
foot. including Hal Chase and Danny Muir
phy but they all kept their body and shoul-
ders out over the plate and their feet were
firmly planted. SO that they could get power
behind their swing.
Workman was back on his heels every
time he pulled, and was swinging away from
the plate. He impressed one as being
a strictly fast ball hitter and one cannot
tell yet what he can do with a good fast
ball Alexander did not have one Satur-
day and Demaree did not need II. The lat
ter famed Workman twice and retired him
on a weak bounder by using curves and
wasting his fast ball occasionally
To the Cubs Workman must look pretty
good at that He is replacing Muiligan, who
is the weakest shortstop seen in the major
leagues In years, and therefore anything
that he does will be an Improvement over
Mulligan. 1t is possible that the youngster
might be OF great help to the Cubs for
this reason. and II the team can get up In
the race money spent for him may come
back, but 1t is safe to say that 1t is many
thousands shy OF the reported price Of $780,
900.
The $50, 900 idea is said to have orig
mated in the nimble brain OF the press
agent President Weeghman employs TO tour
the circuit in~advance OF the team, just as
theatrical press agents do, and having the
atrieal ideas about publicity, he stretched
the point When asked whether the $4,000
was paid in cash. the press agent replied
tina some OF It was, but the majority was
to be paid in players,
When a major league team pays on such
a large sum In players, two or three sec
ond-raters who are lucky enough to be car
rying wartime iron-clad contracts are val
ued at $4,000 when passed over to the
minor league club. That probably is the
way the Cubs completed the deal
Wilson Back With Cubs
Manager Tinker and President Weeghman
have so much confidence in the ability OF
the recent minor league purchases that tina
former made deal which the fans cannot
understand when he passed Frank Schultz
and Catcher Bill Fischer over to the Pirates
Tor Arthur Wilson The latter was with
the Cubs earlier In the year, and was given
10 the Pirates Now Tinker gives his hest
h.tter ana frst string catcher TO get back
player he gave away few months ago.
II would not be surprising II there was
more behind the deal than Is apparent on
the surface. as IL does not seem reasonable
10 suppose that Tinker would give up his
most dependable hitter unless there was
trouble OF some sort While Schultz Is q
veteran who has not many more years OF
major league ball In his system. he surely
Is Of great value at the present time. and
probably viii Be In the National League
longer than Wilson
Phllly players believe that Fischer e Z
much better catcher than Wilson. whose
work has heen disappointing this season !
Tha latter made many home runs over the