New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-03

Charles II. Ebbet's hat is IN the ring.
He's ready 10 fight. and not particular
with whom he fights.
Charlie has his nerve back with HIM.
He had his nerve when he asked s2,ooV,-
600 for the Dodgers, but lost 1t when
he was refunding 100000 cash for the
sixth worlds series game that never
materialized. The Flatbush Squire IS
so chesty now, after hiding some weeks
from the .enraged Brooklyn citizenry
that he can snap his fingers at cold
million and a half. Just like that.
The president Of the Dodgers was in
town a few brIef hours the latter part
Of last week and made the most Of it.
No Serious Offer
NO. I'm not anxious TO sell the
Rrooklyn club" said he. AT least,
not determined to sacrifice it. Besides,
no one has yet made serious oner'
Come TO think of il, I'd like to earu
a worlds championship before l re-
tire I've been in the game too long
now 10 be satisfied with anything but
the highest honors. Besides, the Ma
+ional League needs me for while.
There is much work still to be done
The head of the Dodgers switched on
onto a new tack. He is voluble wnen II
comes TO a topic of reform.
"I'm Of the opinion said Ebbets.
that the National League roster limit
of twenty-one players is too drastic
I'm not a radical. | do not believe We
need ease up TO twenty-five men 10 puI
us on an equal footing with the Ameri-
can League. Rather | would welcome
a slight pairing by the rival MAJOR ID
the general interest OF economy
az do think another player or two
say twenty-five at the lowest ngure
would be a great help to the National
League. shall advocate sucn an
amendment if no one better champions
such a cause. Twenty-one players are
too few. because of the elements OF ac-
cident and sickness in the game.
Used Subterfuges
"Furthermore." continued kbbets'
there has been a bit too much evasion
in the application Of the twenty-one
roster limit. Certain clubs used SUD
terfuge in the declaration Of their d)s
ability list. They juggled names IN
manner that enabled them to keep TAI
more than the stipulated twenty-ohe
hale and hearty players in reserve toi
emergencies. While no more ina.
twenty-one men might be eligible a.
one time this mode of evasion gave
decided advantage over teams tnat oo-
served the strict letter OF the law; E.
while | would prefer roster llm't
of twenty-five 20 one OF twenty one
do not believe the more liberal NUMBER
is essential great many OF Ihe
American League clubs, among them
the worlds champion Red Sox, go'
along very well with less than twenty
five players. K. has been done; II can
be done. and it should be done in the
interests of economy. Too many ex
trayagances have crept into the sport
The sooner these are pruned out inc
better"
IL seems TO make a great difference
whose OK is gored. II memory serves
right Charles II. Ebbets led the fight
for the twenty-one player roster limit
in the National League. Certainly
there were those who were mean
enough 70 insinuate that the blow was
aimed at the New York club.
McGraw had corralled an unusual lot
of high class talent from the minor
leagues. Il cost the owners of the
Giants close 10 $4,000 for new material
that year. fol- the Federal League war
vas raging and NcGrsw was deter
mined 20 have champion in the Ma
tional League stronghold at any cost.
Some of his enyious rivals, who had
wasted no time and spent no money in
upbuilding, saw a means OF helping
themselves 70 McGraw's preserves.
That. at least. is the reason in his
heart OF hearts McGraw has always
given Cor the twenty-onc player roster
limit.
c. II. Ebbets at that time did not
have a title holder. Now that he has
one can he really be blamed for want
ing TO keep it such? With a lot OF
aging athletes under term contracts
and under existing conditions the task
might possibly lie beyond the Nizardry
OF Wilbert Robinson.
Rival managers Of the National
League always keep the weather eye
cooked on Johnny McGraw. His little