New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-27
"S5OO,OOO FOR BUNCH
OF LIABILITIES
"Wait Until 1916" Was the
New Magnate's Retort-
Now He's Chuckling.
BY W. ]. MACBETH.

pert had Just been 1ormeu 70 tNN' ~
American League franchise of the
hands of Frank Farrell. The good cap
tain arranged the dinner so that his
business associate might be properly
introduced to the New York Chapter
~ tho baseball writers. cap" himself
needed no introduction. He had been
browsing around major league pastures
for years.
"Captain." said Irwin s. Cobb, at the
conclusion Of an impromptu address,
az really feel sorry for you and the
colonel. Here. after weeks in when
YOU had plenty of time TO disappear
vou have let Ban Johnson and his col
leagues unload dead horse at your
doorstep. Five hundred thousand dol
lars for Fritz Maisel and a bunch OF
liablities!"
Cobb did not appreciate, in his RAIL
lery. how fairly he hit the nail on the
head. Certainly the captain never
dreamed so much philosophy could be
cloaked in jest Some months later
the truth seeped home. Day after day
he saw the Carroll Browns, Jack war
hons. Marty McHales, King Coles and
RAY Keatings out on the hill against
Ieonards. Shores, Woods, Johnsons,
Bushes and the like.
Cobb Justified.
Day after day he saw the I'd Swee-
news Of his club pitted against the Kay
Scbalks of rivals. lie saw his Birdie
Crees and his Doc Cooks before the
bar of Judgment with the iris Speak
ers and the Joe Jacksons. And he
know Irwin 6. Cobb had said lot.
II was during one Of the most as
sstrous slumps Of his club, just about
wear ago this time, that Captain /. H.
Huston again gathered to the festive
board those friends of the former ceie-
bration. Some one recalled CoDD
remarks Of the previous winter
"Pll admit I'm licked said the cap
tain. abashed. Did you ever see sueh
8 collection masquerading in big league
uniforms?
"But 1916" he continued, dis another
wear. You have the laugh on me now
I'M have the laugh on you Twelve
months hence. mark my word. ii
don't. well-you can take my interest
for nothing" loud choruses OF NOT
on vour life!" "Have heart!
pass!") ...
not for nublication-a few names that
bore little significance to Captain hus-
toms auditors. George Mogrldge was
name that passed lightly round the
table. Frank Gilhooley elected litter
~ derision. In self-defence the cap
tain sprung AL Walters, Allen Rus
sell Urban Shocker, Cliff Markle, Alex
ander. Miller, Tim Hendryx and
flock of others. To his auditors tney
were names-mere names. draft Ils'
would have commanded quite as Huch
attention.
Huston Prophet.
Some of those names were destined
10 vindicate the business sense oil Cap
tain T. L. Huston and Colonel jacob
Rupert in the purchase OF the 1 an
KEGS. Mention Walters, Russell
Shocker. Mogridge and Miller now IN
sighting terms; then prepare TO fight.
They did not come to the Yankees
through slipshod chance, but through
the policies Of cold, calculating busi.
ness men who had made successes OF
other businesses and who have made
a business success of baseball IN less
than two short years.
When the colonel and the captain
tumbled to the fact that sometimes
baseball chiefs talk with forked
tongues they set about to apply
speedv remedy. Trusty scouts were Sc
cred and, armed with nvunerable
cash. were sent into the highways and
byways to search for talent OF worth.
No doubt the local owners were lucky;
A team figures itself fortunate to ma
even one star year. But luck ana
success are birds of feather.
Then, last winter, came the big
chance. The Federal League ship OF
safe went crashing on the rocks. Big
Ban and Docile John, who salvaged her,
thought the merchandise mt for the
bargain counter. The colonel and the
captain were still bargain hunting.
They arrived early and got first pick
of the damaged goods. Lee Magee,
Nick Cullop and Joe Gedeon joined
Donovan's army in training.
The libEralty of the New YORK own
ers NOW reaping its Just reward more
than any other one thing has been re-
sponsible for the great success Of the
American League this season. Inc
browning achievement was the pur-
chase from Connie Mack of Home Run
Baker. That rounded out ball club,
a real ball club, the first in ten years
that had represented the American
League in this city.
IL is a wonderful ball club that Dono-
van commands now. II may not win
pennant but every club that beats It
cut will know il has been through a
fight. No team in the history of base
ball has suffered such handicaps from
sickness and injury as has that OF
Donovan this year For several weeks
at one stretch seven stars were out OF
the lineup. Wild Bills club lost
ground, but il never quit
MaiseI First TO Go.
Fritz Masel. leading batter of the
year before and one of the best base
runners in the league. was the first to
20. A broken collarbone eliminated
Fritz early in May. He hasn't returned.
shortly afterward Mogridge pulled
cartilage in his left elbow. The ster-
ling southpaw was laid up for weeks.
Little Frank Gilhooley went next with
a broken ankle. He may not play again
this year. A second Willie Keller.
they said of him. Just before Tough
Luck claimed the midget.
Cullop, who has won twelve games
and lost bat one, tore a muscle loose
from his short ribs shortly after Frank
Baker crushed himself against the
stand. The southpaw has recovered.
Baker still is missing. Magee and High
went by the board for several weeks
afterward. The Yankees strength was