The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-23
CLAUDE COOPER SIGNS
TO PLAY WITH PHlLLIES
Former Brookfed Engaged to Strengthen Outield, Hurt
by Slump of Cravath-Rain Keeps
Giants in Idleness.

signed Yesterday with the champion
Philadelphia club Of the National League.
lie may be seen IN the farewell game OF
the Phillies at the Polo Grounds to-mor-
row afternoon.
Philadclphia's acquisition Of Cooper
proves conclus!vcly that the late war
made by the Federal circuit v regarded
AZ a matter OF ancient history by the
present powers. William r. Baker. pres
ident OF the Quakers. was one Of the very
last OF the magnates TO forgive the old
time offenders when the Federal chattels
were placed on the open market Baker
steadfastiy declared hat his club for
one would have absolutely nothing TO do
with any OF the men who had been as
socated with the independent movement.
The two New York clubs have been
strengthened greatly By taking the pick
~ the outlaw talent. Even Garry Herr
mann. chairman Of the National Commits
sion. Joined the clamor In the interests
OF his Reds. Boston. obdurate as Phila-
delptaa. finally decided to let bygones be
bygones In order to strengthen a Ques-
tionable pitching stan.
William +. Baker held out . long
while. but when II came to q question OF
reaching out TO pluck Just the kind OF
man needed he weakened before the ar.
guments OF Pat Moran and Chief Bender.
Bender . Free Agent.
Bender. Of course. was with the Fed
| cral League for part OF last season. But
he was in no wise an offender against
organized baseball. He was q free agent
when he cast in his lot with the outlaws
and he was a free agent when Jim OIL
more and his associates cried quits. The
Federal Leagu. club OF Baltimore abro-
gated n contract they held on the In.
dams services o the ground that the
redskin paid no attention to his physical
condition.
II was chiefly as a result OF Benders
activity hat william +. Baker finally
decided to furnish a haven for Claude
Cooper. The young man held a term
contract with the Wards. hackers OF the
TIP Tops. He was under contract for
this season with that Arm at a salary
OF $500. However. when mono OF the
major league clubs offered to buy the
outtielder Cooper Was notified that he
might look elsewhere for employment.
! The Brooklyn Federal League club noti-
ned him Of his release.
Cooper had George 8. Wards sanction
to negotiate with the Philadelphia club
as a free agent. He saw Mr.. Baker At
the Polo Grounds Friday. The owner
OF the Phillies made a liberal offer.
Cooper asked time to consider. He &C.
\ cepted the terms yesterday morning and
at the Ansonia Hotel signed q contract
with Pat Moran.
Doubtless Philadelphia was Influenced
to make this move by the fact that Gavvy
Cravath. veteran right fielder. has shown
evidences Of going back. Old Cactus
never was very fast on his feet or much
OF "A thrower. but he packed a waliop
that covered a multitude OF fielding
shortcomings. This season Wooden
shoes has been swinging after the fash.
ion OF a barn door.
Two Fast OutaeIders.
Moran's club last season won out in
n very exciting race through a combina-
ton OF fine pitching and smuggling. These
veteran sluggers - Cravath. Luderus.
Burns and Whitted-are all slow. The
teams speed was represented by Ban.
croft. Stock and Paskert. since last fall
the champions have secured two mighty
fast outhelders In wilbur Good and
Cooper. For hat reason alone Cooper
should prove u sterling addition TO the
outer line.
Cooper is a product OF the Christian
University in Texas. He studied for the
ministry there. In 1918 he 1oineo the
Giants, but did not play regularly. he
Drove a rerw h,obiv 81 i'm, II is
Macs policy 10 educate his youns men
on the bench a season or TWO oetore ne
calls upon them regularly. Cooper
chafed under restraint. and in 1914
jumped TO the outlaw elrcuit. nc nv
only .23s his nrst season. ou. IN 49,
with the TIP TOPS ne "A" q '~'"
average OF ..sl'
-, .ooL., ,,c
Rain Sesteraay 81. ~. p,ush S,sd.
srounos a"a .hs his ho,idav CON.
TEST oetWee" 80. +, IA. . keen dis.
.he ua...S 90 WcGraw Mac figured on
Spp ~, ioast az we'll as taking one OF