Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-04-01

been hitting hard and at convenient
junctures of the training games.
Max Carey, whose position at bat has
been the subject of more comment, per-
haps, than most any other player in the
major leagues, will continue to bat from
either side of the plate, and he will do
so of his own volitioh.
Jesse Altenberg, the speed demon,
who created such furore in the train
ing camp last season, is back again de-
claring that it takes money to learn to
be a lawyer and the only way he sees
of getting money is by sticking with
the Pittsburg club Hence he has an
nounced his intention of sticking in the
big league this year.
Dan Costello, of the Pittsburgs, has
hankering to branch out in the news.
paper business. He isn't through with
baseball yet, but after awhile he may
try his hand at being scrivener. "You
fellows have it so easy" he said to al
writer the other day. Alas, isn't Dan
the innocent bOy2
Benny Kauff, down at Marlin, Texas,
with the New York Giants, admits that
his batting will be equally as good with
MeGTaw's club as it was in his old
berth. Benny, says reports is doing
little loafing, and has been among the
first players to start for the ball lot
these mornings.
Ball players in the National league
admit that Napoleon Rucker of the
Brooklyns is i'll a class by himself when
it comes to delivering a slow curve.
Rucker s arm went back ON him three
years ago and he lost his speed B,
ne retained the gray matter in his head
and began to develop a new delivery.
In time he mastered control of the slow
ball which, batsmen say, is harder to
hit than speeder. Rucker soon was
able to put the leather over the middle
or corners of the plate at will. He
studied the weak points of the opposing
hitters until he knew just what would
fool them. Last year Rucker's pitch
ing was confined entirely to slow balls.
He did not deliver rast one all sea
son and his arm, as a result, gradually
became stronger.
When Charley Doom was managing
the Philadelphia club he tried for a
long while to get Bill Rariden. then
catching for Boston, but to no avail.
The men have long been close friends,
and the first thing Rariden said when
he greeted Charley on his arrival at
Marlin was: "Well, we re together al
last"
Wilbert Robinson declares that he is
not worrying about Johnston. He said
ne would like to have the player in line,
but is not losing any sleep over his
failure to report at the training camp.
This young Hickman looks pretty
good to me-" said Uncle Robby. "He
acts like a regular ball player and it
wouldn't surprise me if he earned a
steady job with the Brooklyn club this
season.
We have a hunch that Iris Speaker s
! argument with the Red Sox, which
made him a holdout this spring. has
more to do with the length of his new
contract than with the actual salary
figures. Speaker is only 28 years of
age, but this spring he looks to be 10
years older. Perhaps prematurely gray
hair has something TO do with his ap
pearance, but his face is becoming deep.
ly lined, too. That he is aging rapidly
is the impression one would CLEAN from
seeing him in his Texas haunts.
George Kelley, California outfielder
with the Giants, is showing up 80 we'll
at the Marlin camp that he stands a
fair chance Of squeezing either Dave
Robertson or Ed ROusch out Of a Job
if they do not report and get into con-
dition.
/ Ed Konetchy, from reports received
from the Braves training camp, has
entered the training season with the
same vigor and enthusiasm that marked
his inaugural into the Federal league
last season. Konetchy is happy to have
landed with the Braves club as the
outlook for it TO be big factor this
summer in settling the title.
After eight days Of training, with
/ twice.a-day workouts, Manager Buck
/ Herzog of the Cincinnati Reds, is
pleased with the condition Of his men
and already is predicting great things.
He says: ~ am going to set the pace
in the National league season. Take that
from me-
A decree Of absolute divorce was
granted by default in the supreme court
Of Bronx county, on March 13, to
z" Heinie" Zimmerman, Of the Chicago
National league club, from Helen c.
Zimmerman. Custody Of their one child
was awarded to Zimmerman.
A voluntary increase in salary Tor
1916 in recognition Of earnest efforts
on the baseball field has been given
Erving Kantlehner, the young left.
handler from California, who has been
a member Of the Pirate squad for sew
eral seasons.
i If Pat Moran is correct in his asser-
tion that the Philles, with the add
Of Karl Adams and Chief Bender, have
the best pitching staff in the National
league, there is very nttle reason why
philly should not boast Of National
league championship for the second
] time Pat assures the scribes and others
f1.4.w.I..~r. 4h.A IL.