The Washington times., 1916-02-05

club, and he's going to have a real trial
this time. When he reported last spring
his legs we're in bad shape, He had
stiffened ir the legs.
II think Rondeau will make good
this year. If / didn't l wouldn't con
slider him. He's loafing this winter
and should be ready to begin work
last season he was a bear in Mime
apolis. Good judges tell me that II
Eondeau cant make good up in this
league. no other minor Lacquer has a
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
ownership and. If 1t can be arranged
satisfactorily, 1T will get il.
Roger Bresnahan Vas hoping to
land the managerial berth in Cleve-
land and is said to have had Chicago
announcement Kills whatever hope
fresnahan might have had.
Next week from New York will come
oodles of baseball news. Both big
leagues Will be in session and the
international League will join in
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 dwindlng army Of vet
Grams. has been unconditionally released
by the New York Yankees. This comes
as reward for his eight years of faith
iul 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
snsht 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 regatned 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 .35G in seventy
two games. The Yankees paid $50 to
Dunn and brought him back again In
taking off excess weight last spring, he
lost his strength and was helpless al the
pat as result. In 1871 Cree was at his
best, finishing second to Ty Cobb with
batting percentage of .34S
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 a 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 haye Iris
Speaker In centerfeld."
Jack Leary and Frank Riley, first
baseman and pitcher, respectively, have
been released by Fielder Jones to In
dtiisnap9liS tinn in the american Associa:
flrst-basing for the Brownies for the
past three years. but Riley is a rookie
nnger loaned to Wichita last summer.
Jones has no room for either this year.
Mique Finn. former scout for The
Tigers. and for many years manager
in the Southern Association. is critl-
cally i'll at a hospital In Little Rock
ARK. lie 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
lie is fair pitcher, but not a star.
Red" Murray, the veteran outfielder
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
ditional release.
IF Murray does not report to Kan
sas City, It is not our fault, say.
tinker. I'VE tried to find a berth fol
him and as a result sold him to Kan
1t was rumored that the Cincinna At
Reds were negotiating for him, bu
Garry Hermann denies mat
The stove League, an organization o
rams IN fittsburRh, Will give banque
to Honus Wagner on FebruarI "a. WaF
| ner's birthday.
The National League schedule for 1871,
will be made public next Wednesday,
The Americans will probably come out
| day later.
Joe Wood. the premier finger of III,
world 8 champion Boston Red Sox. ma,
retire from the came according TO >
| report from tn" Hub. Wood with
Iris Speaker, came to the end or hi,
! wartime contract last October. His tig
| ures for 1916 are appreCiqblv smaller
and Wod Is a bit pocVed. This is satC
to be the reason for his r2lirerl"m an
| nouncement.
| Marty MCHalc. the singing tyirIcr
| and Ed Sweeney. the lumbCring back
stop. are booked for release by tn,
Yankees. MCHale will prohqbly h,
dropped outright. brt Sweeney will hay,
to go 20 some minor league club. as hi
s.. 900 contract with the Yanks will no
be ended until next October Until the,
| the Ne/' York club will have 10 Sc
that he totals that amount for playin
ball.
Benefit for Club.