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

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 ieins 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 been 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.
-
Patrick F. Moran, who led the Philies
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 SoN south
paw has been caught in the jam. and
Is unsigned for 1916. 1t is said that his
fat figures of the past two years Will
he slashed severely before he climbs
into a uniform again.
-
Ban Johnson rtN3ses 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 a rapid ending Of
the present untoward conditions OF
baseball.
their demands that they be given some
return for the men who jumped their
ranks to make 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 mas 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 spoil it all.
The baseball outlook for 1916 is excel
Tent. 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.
He will not be bothered with tales of
biekerng and quarreling- among the
maEnates and the PLAYERS; In other
words, he will have more baseball Of
fered to him. and he will have enough
toyinG it.
Without taking into consideration the
addition Federal IN
clubs. both major leagues should stage
banE-up races next summer. If the
Giants and Yankees obtain aid from any
source. they will have something to say
about the pennant battles in their re-
sPectiVe circles. The Cubs and Browns
are sure to be assisted by players from
the defunct Federal League. But the
best thinE of all is that the players
minds but baseball
For the past two years the discipline
on ball clubs has been wretched. Not i'm
years was It so bad as in 1914. II was
some better last season. hut next sum-
mer the manager will he supreme. He
will not hesitate to fine rebelling players.
He will drop others on short notice.
Many win he suspended the moment
they kick over the traces. In other
words. those who have the most to lose
win be in the saddle. The fans will
an InC american l4GdbtG anll-SeaSOn
dope has Lhe flag going t. Boston lie
troit or Chicago. Ante-season dope Is
always interesting, even when wrong.
The fan, hungering for baseball. eats
II alive. seldom or never looking back
TO 1t from his seat in October There
car be no guarantee that the American
League pennant will again fly in Boston.
II Is needless tn quote more than the
Braves of 1915 or the Maskmen OF 1903
and 1917. though other examples may
easily be found, Repeating is not GER
tainty for any ball club.
Bill Carrigan will stand pat on his
present lineup, The Boston club Is
strong In more ways than one, but II
due for the slide backward. There
were signs last summer that some were
going back, notably Larry Gardner,
Duffy Lewis, Harry Hooper. Joe Wood,
and Ray Collins. The Red Sox may re-
peat, but they will find hard f1ght on
their hands.
Hughey Jennings was nosed out last
season because he lacked sufficient
twirling strength. He has picked up
some good men for his mound stan
should be coupled In the betting with
the Red SoX for the final victory.
The White Sox have one OF the best
teams In the history of the league, a
well-balanced aggregation which may
surprise us all by getting out in front
saner practice season has been seized
uled, and those pitching stars may not
be stale when August comes, as they
have been for several seasons past,
Just what the GrlfTmen will do Is a
conundrum. hut the outlook is good.
Manager G'.fhth, pursuing his policy
e building up MS club with youngsters.