The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-30
YOUNG BLOOD MAY
MAKE PITTSBURGH
JOHNNY CALLAHAN WEEDS OUT
OLD PLAYERS WHO WERE OF
NO BENEFIT TO H1M.
New Material Is Expected to Brighten
Chances Of Pirates During
Coming Season.

When Jimmy Callahan took hold OF
the Pittsburgh club at the opening VI
the 1916 season he found the team Dur
dGncd with IL mum Der OF mon VINO Wero
no longer OF much value to 1t: mere
fore, as quickly rs possible. no began
the work Of wedding out these mon aiio
replacing them with youngsters: i no
minor leagues we're Cornbed for promls-
inH men and Il number Of recruits were
sent up to the Pirate chief during inc
summer. or these some did not remain
in the Smoky City long enough 70 nc.
como acquainted but five of them at
least made good and will be seen III
Pirate uniforms when next season opens;
iThey arc Pitchers RurlciGh Grimes ana
Bill Evans. lnficlders Carson Sig6eE anu
Hooks" Warner and Catcher Bill Wag-
,ncr.
Grimes joined the team in September
and made an excellent impression in MS
appearance in the box against the CUBS.
Robins and Giants, whom he faced IN
rapid succession. He Is Il well-bullt
lyoungstcr, rs game as they come, ana
was secured from Birmingham In the
Southern Association Callahan ththks
very we'll of him and believes that he
iwill make good record Tor hlmSell III
j19l7.
Evans is absolutely now to profess
sional baseDah and consequently has a
great deal TO learn. Ho is Il graduate
OF the North Carolina Agricultural and
Mechanical College, which is also the
alma mater OF DaTy Robertson ana FREQ
Anderson. Up to the time he reported
to Callahan while the Pirates were IN
Brooklyn last August Evans had never
seen major league game. He made an
excellent record as u college hurlcr ana
many who have looked him over predict
THAT he will make good in fast company.
At any rate nc has made good begin
ming and Callahan believes he will be
extremely useful next season.
In Carson Bigbec the Pirates have Il
man who was rated as one OF the fast
est In the minor leagues. and while play
ing with the Tacoma club Of the North
, western League he earned the sobrl.
quet of the '''ry Cobb OF the Northwest.
lie is something Of an all round man
and can be used in both the inticld and
outfield.
Bill Wagner was secured in the fall
: Of 1915 from Waterloo, H.. but lacking
tho necessary experience he was sent to
Tcrrc Haute in the General League last
spring. He was recalled in September
and showed the benefits accruinS from
an additional season in the minors by
catching great bull. He has biz black
bat which he brought with him from
I Terre Hautc and lie welded it with
ease and grace in his few appearances
| before the close Of tho season.
Hooks" Warner is q product Of Day.
ton, or at least it was from that city
! that he joined tho Pirates. Tho Dayton
fans who have seen him In action fire.
Qucntly enough to get Il good line on
MIN are cpnIlCcUl lllal nc Will NC Il llA-
| turc in Pittsburgh and he has already
made good impression In the Smoky
City. He is broad Shouldercd, husky
young man and plays the game hard at
all time.
1t Is likely that HaKs Wagner will be
assigned to first base permanently next
spring. Callahan has released Wheeler
Johnston, who was the Pirates regular
first sacker last year, but who because
Of his light hitting was frequently
henchcd in favor of Wagner and ELL
Hirchman. Wagncr's arm is not as
strong as it used to he, naturally. and
the constant long throws across tho dia-
mond are beginning to be quite an cf
for for him. He IS willing to make the
shift and probably will do so.
II Callahan succeeds in building up 4
!, Formidable team what IA record NJ Ma
mauN ought to make in 1917. Ever since
he has been with the Pirates he has had
but mediocre support, yet he has been
ono Of the sensations Of The league since
tho start of his career. Given proper
support he will make any hurler in tho
league hustle TO beat him out for pitch
ing hOnorS