The Washington times., 1916-02-05

t1e now LelonRS 10 tne WaShlnb lOl
club and he's going to have real trial
this time. When he reported last spring
his legs were in bad shape. He had
been working in a gym and had got
stiffened iE the legs.
this year. If didn't wouldn't con-
slider him. He's loafing this winter
and should be ready to begin work
with the others. After leaving us
last season he was a bear in Mime
Rondeau can't make good up in this
league. no other minor Lacquer has
chance"
Manager Griffith counts on Ron
deau and Shanks to nit against south
paw, pitching. Rondeau was partic-
ularly strong against left handlers in
the association last year.
A denial comes today that the
Cleveland Indians will be sold to Chi
cago men. Cleveland wants local
ownership and. If It can be arranged
Satisfactorily, 1t will get it.
Roger Bresnahan vas hoping to
land the managerial berth in CleVe-
land and is said to have had Chicago
announcement kills whatever hope
Rresnahan might have had.
Next week from New York will come
coolies of baseball news. Both big
- will be in session and the
providing columns of gossip. The
proceedings will be brought to a close
at the big anniversary banquet of
the National League on Wednesday
night.
Birdie Cree, one of the American
Leagues rapidly dwindling army of vet
Grams. has been unconditionally released
by the New York Yankees. This comes
as reward for his eight years of faith
ful service in the metropolis. He knew
he couldn't land on the 1916 team and
| asked for his release.
Cree was on the way to the top of
the batting parade when he made a
slight miscalcaation back in 1912. Wal
ter Johnson was pitching. and the
smoke BALI broke Cree's wrist, putting
him on the shelf for the remainder Of
the season. He never regained his
former batting prowess. and Frank
Chance sent him to Baltimore.
With Jack Dunn's crack 1914 team,
Cree rushed right up to the top among
the sluggers, hitting for 1856 in seventy
two games. The Yankees paid S35y6 to
Dunn and brought him back again. In
taking off excess weight last spring he
lost his strength and was helpless at the
bat as result. In 1911 Cree was at HIS
best, finishing second to Ty Cobb with
| batting percentage of .348.
Cree Is modest young man, and has
friends everywhere. He will be Sadly
| missed this season.
The Boston Red Sox have picked up a
| semi-pro backstop from New York :
| sandlotS In one James p. Devine He
| will be given a trial at Hot Springs.
Haywood Broun, in the New York
Tribune, remarks succinctly, THE Bos-
ton Braves have q former governor of
Massachusetts. a former lieutenant gov
ernor. colonel, and the worlds great
est football coach in their board OF di-
rectors. The Boston Red Sox have iris
Speaker in centerfield."
Jack Leary and Frank Riley. first
baseman and pitcher, respectively, have
oeen released by Fielder Jones to In
dianapoltS, in the American Associa-
ton. Leary has been catching and
first-oasing for the Brownies for the
past three years, but Riley is a rookie
| finger loaned to Wichita last summer,
Jones has no room for either this year.
Mique Finn. former scout for the
Tigers. and for many years a manager
/ in the Southern Association, is cTiti-
| cally i'll at a hospital in Little Rock.
| ARK. He was to have managed the
Beaumont club in the Texas League,
] this season.
| Bert Humphries, last year with the
| Cubs, has been sold to Kansas CITY
He is fair pitcher, but not a star.
Red" Murray the veteran outtieIder
| released by Joe Tinker to Kansas City
is baking. He says that he has beer
in the National League for ten years
and Is. therefore, entitled to an uncon.
IF Murray does not report to Kan.
s9s City, It is not our fault" says
| Tinker. I'VE tried to find. a berth foI
him and as a result sold him to Kan
Reds were negotiating for him. bur
Garry Hermann denies mat
The stove League, an organization o
fans in Pittsburgh. will give a banuue
to Honus Wagner on February "a, VVag
ner's birthday.
The National League schedule for 1915
will be made public next "Wednesday
The Americans will probably come out
a day later.
Joe Wood. the premier finger of the
worlds champion Boston Red Sox. NAV
retire from the game according to 3
report from the Hub. Wood, with
iris Speaker. came to the end OF his
wartime contract last October. His fig,
ures for 1916 are appreciably smaller
and Wod Is a bit pcGved. This is sale
to be the reason for his retirement an
nouncement.
Marty McHale. the singing twirler
and Ed Sweeney, the NUMBERING hack
stop. are booked for release by tn,
| Yankees. McHale will probably b,
dropped outright, but Sweeney will hav,
to go 20 some minor league club, as hi
5000 contract with the Yanks will no
be ended until next October. Until thel
, the NeZ York club will have 10 SCI
|. that he totals that amount for playin;
ball.
Benefit for Club.
Monday nights production of "Th
| IJonaa ~ a sThousand Candles" a pOIil