The Washington herald., 1916-02-17
Cuban Goes to Minors Under
Optional Agreements
Sure to Be Recalled.
OTHER SPORTING GOSSIP
BY WILLIAM PEET.

Before hopping the train for New York
yesterday afternoon Manager Griffith an
uounccd that he had sold under the op-
tional agreement MeIito Acosta to the
Minneapolis club OF the American AssO-
citation and had released outright to that
same organization, Morley Jennings.
Acosta and Jennings go to Minneapolis
in part payment for ROndeau and
Catcher Charity. The Cuban will more
than likely be recalled at the close OF
the 1916 season for Griff figures that he
mas a grand future before him, and does
not propose to let AcOSta slip through
his fingers.
Jennings according to reports is only
= fair minor league player and never
would make good in the big show.
Acosta is a great little ball player and
should b. sensation in the American
Association. He can hit. field throw and
run the bases. Ono year III the American
Association should just about fit him
for fast company and it would not be at
all surprising il the Cuban was regular
when the Nationals started business in
1917.
The fact that ACosta was forced to
warm the bench most Of the time since
he has been with the club means little.
The Cuban needs only about one season
with a first class minor league club to
put him in shape for a regular job in the
big show.
Manager Griffith left for New York on
the O'Clock express yesterday afternoon
where he will attend the meeting of the
American League, and incidentally try to-
get rid OF several players he has put on
the market this winter.
Word comes THAT the horse show anG
hunting sets in Virginia are to make an
effort to have the antiracing Statute re-
pealed in the Legislature and then en-
deavor to revive the sport on clean lines
In the Old Dominion.
Eirginians are noted for their cross
riding and outdoor horse shows,
and they are keen for thoroughbred rae
ing. but racing got into such disrepute
twenty-five years ago at st. Assphs and
Alexander Island tracks. located across
the Potomac River from Washington,
that the legislative wiped out the sport
1t is said that when the Virginia
Horse Show Association holds its meet
ing in Washington this month plans will
be drafted to lift the ban on racing inI
that state. Every horse show associa-
tion in Tho HOwiniOn is expected to be
at this meeting. The horse
show people arc TO be tho principal sup
pOrters Of the movement, and the So
called racing element is not to be cOnsid-
cred in asking for the return of the sport.
Joe Tinker picks the Phillies to finish
no better than fifth in this years Nat
ional League race. Joe believes that Chi
cago. Boston, Brooklyn and New York
are certain to finish ahead of the champ ,
ions.
The National League is in for the
most successful season in recent years"
said Joe. New spirit has been instilled
around the circuit and the Eastern clubs
have gone ahead at a remarkable pace
in building their defences for the coming
race.
Il am not counting on the Phillies to
repeat Alexander. the mainstay OF the
club. finished lame after another season
Of overwork and l doubt if he will be
rcI"ly as effective next season as he was
during the 1915 campaign. And even
should he 20 to the post and pitch win
ners as often as he did in 1915. I think
the PhiIs will he forced to accept a posi-
tiOn under the lead. for Boston and Chi
cagO will have II marked advantage over
NIoran's team in many respects"
The sudden purchase OF Home Run
Baker. which was rushed through just
Chicago White SoX, has made the New
York Yanks a pennant contender. 1t also
has made thousands of dollars for the
American Lea que. and that. incidentally,
explains the ease with which the big
gcst deal Of the year went through once
it got under way.
Connie Mack, at the last minute. saw
the disadvantage to the league of selling
Baker to the White Sox, and sacrificed
like $1,000 in favor of the