The Washington times., 1916-01-01
Former Leader Of Nationals,
With Bob Mercy, Named as
Possible Purchasers of Som.
| ers' Holdings.
Pat Moran Signs Contract to
Pilot Philadelphia Nationals
for Three More Diamond
! Campaigns.
By LOUIS A. DOUCHER.

BY LOUlS A. DOUNHth.
Jake Stahl, former leader Of the
Nationals, and later pilot Of the
worlds champion Boston Red Sox
in 1912, may return to the game Of
his heart, according to dispatches
from Chicago today 1t is said that
Stahl and Robert G. McRoy, who
was associated with James r. Nc
Aleer in Boston, will be given an
opportunity to purchase the Cleve-
land Indians. providing no Forest
City hackers can be fourd,
The plan calls for McRoy to act as
president Of the Cleveland club. and
Stahl to take the lens of management.
Jake proved a good leader in Boston
in 1912, and he might succeed In pulling
the Indians out of their present poor
position in the league.
Stahl, since his last retirement from
baseball. has bean engaged in banking
in Chicago. playing now and then with
a semi pro team on the lots McRoy
holds an office under Ban Johnson at
American League headquarters.
to a pennant last season. has signed
for three more years, forwarding his
contract yesterday from his home in
Fitchburg, Mass. to the owners of the
Philadelphia club.
"Reb" Russell. the White SoX SOUTH
paw has been caught in the jam. and
Is unsigned for 1916. 1t is said that his
fat figures of the past two wears VIII
he sla ashed severely before he climbs
into a uniform again.
Ban Johnson rtl:ses TO allow tho
scheduled meeting OF the National Com
mission to be delayed and so it will be
held in Cincinnati Monday. Johnson in
sists that no DELAYS should be permit
ted to interfere with rapid ending Of
the present untoward conditions or
baseball.
The minor league CLUBS are loud in
their demands that they be given some
return for the men who jumped their
ranks to mako good with the Federal
League. Milwaukee insists that Flack.
n Fed star, should be awarded to the
Brewers, or some satisfactory payment
be made for him. Peoria iiS put in a
claim. and so has Toronto Present
plans call for Sinclair to recoup his
losses as best he can BY selling the Fed
players, but the complaints of the
minors may snoil it all.
The baseball outlook for 1916 Is excel
lent. Prosperity seems to be coming to
the country In leaps and bounds. The
fan, hungry for baseball. will have more
money than he had in 1914 and 1915.
lie will not be bothered with tales of
maREates and the PLAYERS. In other
words, he will have more baseball Of
fered to him. and he will have enough
money in his pocket to allow of his en-
ioytns It.
Without taking into consideration the
addition of Federal Lcoguers TO some
clubs. both major leagues should stage
bsnS-up races next summer. II the
source, thew will have something to say
about the pennant battles in their re-
srectiVe circles. The Cubs aud browns
are sure u be assisted by players from
best thinE Of al! is that the players
themselves will have nothing on their
minds but baseball
For the past two wears the discipline
on ball clubs has been Wre etched. Not in
years was 1t so bad as in 1914. II was
some better last season. hut ncXt sum
lner the manager will he supreme. He
will not hesitate to tine rebelltng players.
He will drop others on short notice.
Many will he suspended the moment
they kick over the traces. Ir other
words. those who have the most to lose
viii be in the saddle. The fans will
dement,.
In the American LeaeUe anti-season
dope has 3he flag going t. Boston lie
troit or ChiC1eo. Ante-season dope is
always interesting. even when wrong.
The fan, hungering for baseball. eats
10 it from his seat in October. There
car be no guarantee that the American
League pennant will again fly in Boston
II is needles to quote more than the
i Of l., q
and 1871, though other EXAMPLES may
easily be found. Repeating is not q GER
tainty for any ball club
Bill CsrriSan will stand pat on his
strong in more ways than one, but II
is a team of veterans, and several are
due for the slide backward. There
were signs last summer that some were
Dufry Lewis, Harry Hooper. Joe Wood,
and Ray Collins. The Red SoX may re-
peat, but they will find hard fight on
their hands.
Hughey Jennings was nosed out last
season because he lacked sufficient
some good men for his mound stan
and, given them ct the start. the Tigers
should be coupled i'm the betting with
the Red sox for the final victory.
teams In the history of the league, a
well-balanced aggregation which may
surprise US all by getting out in front
and staying there. For one thing a
uled, and those pitching stars may not
be stale when August comes, as they
have been for several seasons past.
-
Just what the Grirfmcn will do is a
conundrum. hut the outlook Is good.
Manager Griffith. pursuing his policy
81 building up niS club With youngsters.