Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-12
RED sox RELEASE WAGNER.
Heinie Considered One of the Brain fest lnfieIders in American League.


 Heinie Considered One of the Brain
 fest lnfielders in American League.
 Charles (Heinie) Wagner, veteran member of the Boston Red Sox team, for the last ten years connected with this same organization, and one of the brainiest inhelders that ever form, is no longer member of the Carrigan fold. His release, making him a free agent, has been mailed to him by President Lannin and the great old-timer knows, for the first time in his long experience as d ball player, just what it means to be without a good, lucrative position in the national game.
 Manager Carrigan is said to have been greatly opposed to Wagner's re- lease.
 Mot Unexpected.
 The release of Wagner was not en- tirely unexpected. For the past three season. in fact. ever since the great championship struggle of 1912, and his wonderful work in the fight for a worlds title with the. Giants later on, the game little Dutchman had been slipping. The beginning of the season of 1914 found Wagner a cripple at Hot Springs and although he drew down the fat salary of s5,000 for seasons work, he was unable to toss a ball across the diamond from the moment that the big struggle opened in April till the long campaign closed.
 While many a club owner would have acted differently than did Pres ident Lannin in Wagner's case, his ap- preciation of the sterling worth of the veteran and the great ball he had played in previous years irnpelled the Red Sox magnate to pay him his salary, and although it was the gen eral impression that Wagner was prac- tically done he was signed up again for last season, although at slightly reduced figure.
 Stick Work Won Game.
 Though Heinie did some good work in the early part of last season, and to win quite a few doubtful games in the earlier days of the campaign, he had begun to show the effects of the hard work and the purchase of Jack Barry, which was really necessary to bolster up none too strong infield. practically sounded the signal for Heinie's passing.
 The purchase of Barry enabled the Red Sox to win the American league pennant, later grab off a worlds cham pionship and convinced President Lam min that Heinie's usefulness to the Red Sox had passed.
 Together with Carrigan, Wagner alone remained of the team that play ed under Jimmie Collins leadership. Wagner was a member of the team that Chick Stahl managed for few brief weeks and many a game did Ferris, Collins, Stahl, Criger and Cy Young. Should Manager Carrigan choose to play the bench this season instead of donning the catcher's har- ness then the last remnant of the great Red Sox team of a decade ago will have passed out of the running.
 Was a Timely clouter.
 Although never considered a hard hitter Wagner, like Barry, was an ex- tremely timely clouter, and, until rheumatism knotted his muscles and impaired his usefulness he was sure to be reckoned among those who batted at .260 clip. It was Wagner's won- derful arm, his great head work and brilliant fielding that made him such a tower of strength to the club. While in his prime no infielder in the game had better arm than Wagner pos- sessed.
 He made a reputation as a blocker on at second and many stolen base went into the discards because Heinie was able to slip his intervening spikes between the runner and the bag.
 Coached Whole InfieId.
 As a coach to the whole infield, steadying influence for the pitchers and, on the whole, a great field gen. eral, Wagner was there, and many a worse than secure the game Dutchman as its director.
 During the entire campaign of 1912 when most of the teams were taking things easy, Heinie and roommate Bill kept close to their common apartment at Puts" mapping out a plan of ac- ton that ultimately resulted in their out.
 It is rumored that Wagner will not long be out of aberth. Manager Car rigan has hinted that in all prob- ability Heinie will connect with out difficulty as manager and probably shortstop of some International league club. He Is sure to be eagerly sought after.
 Might Have Held on Longer.
 But for the accession of Jack Barry, who has the brains and strategy nec- Wagner might have held on even longer. But with such men as Hooper and Speaker in the outer garden Barry Tn the infield, and Manager Bill him self behind the bat, 1t seems only req sonable to suppose that President Lam ain long ago became convinced that he had plenty of brains in his outfit and could therefore afford to turn Wagner loose.
 Wagner was the oldest member of he Boston team, being born in New York city in 1882. He made his first pig league debut with the New York Giants in 1902, was displaced by Mc- Iraw and sent to Columbus. ultimate- " returning to the Jersey City club. rom which he was purchased by Bos- ton in the fall of 1905. He succeeded Freddie Parent as the regular short- | stop for Boston.
 Baseball Meeting Postponed.
 Auburn. N. Ys Jan. 11.-John H. 1 Farrell, chairman of the national corn- nittee to adjust territorial differences