New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-20
WILD BILL WILL
MANAGE YANKEES
AGAIN NEXT YEAR
Smiling Adonis, Colonel
and Captain Put Their
Names to Contract
BY w. J. MACBETH

Bill Donovan will lead the New York
Yankees through the American League
pennant fight of 1917. The smiling
Adonis signed a one-year contract with
Colonel Jscob Rupert and Captain l.
1. Huston yesterday. While Donovan
contract with the New York club nad
expired, it was known by the friends
of the local owners that Wild Bill
would be offered a new document at
generous increase in salary.
Captain Huston and myself never
contemplated any change" said Presi-
dent Rupert yesterday. ave feel that
Mr. Donovan did quito as well with the
club this season as 1t was possible Tor
any one to do under the circumstances.
Whatever failings there may have been
were due entirely 10 misfortunes over
which no one had control.
"While he was able to keep his full
strength in the field Manager Donovan
more than held his own with rival
clubs Indeed, he was well in the front
and improving the leading position
daily when little Frank Gilhooley sur
fered the misfortune Of broken ankle.
Then within a few weeks Lee Magee,
Hughie High, Nick Cullop and Frank
Baker were all seriously injured.
Even SUBS Crippled
"At various times Roger Feckin-
paugh, Walter Pipp, Joe Gedeon.
Mogridge and half dozen others were
out from a week to a month. Fritz
Maisel, one of the fastest men In base
ball, was lost for the whole season
nearly Even a number of our substi-
tutes were crippled when they were
needed most
art
cannot be held responsible for these
accidents, which, we feel, kept US from
the pennant. We feel he did well TO
finish in the first division. Our man
ager is assured of our heartiest CO.
operation. Captain Huston and | wish
to give New York an American League
pennant next season. We are prepared
10 back Donovan 10 the limit to nc
complish this ambition.
Luck was against US in 1916. Maybe
we will have better break in 1917.
Anyway, we will keep on trying till we
land We appreciate the support New
York furnished in spite of our mis-
fortunes this season and intend TO give
the fans a concrete demonstration Of
our appreciation. Just watch Bill
Donovan and the Yankees next year.
Showing prominently throughout the
season, even in the most dreary hours
Of the Yankees plucky fight with rid
died forces, was as good pitching as
ever graced a major league fight In
one year Donovan created pitching
staff that did not have to take back
seat even from the remarkable corps
Of Carrigan. Here, too, he was handl-
capped by the loss of his best two left
handlers Cullop and Mogridge-for
weeks at a time. If for no other reason
than his wonderful work in the devel-
opment of young pitchers, Donovan
clearly earned a right TO lead the
Yankees back 90 the charge through
1917.
Huston Denies Trade
Captain Huston declared last night
most emphatically that the story re-
vived in the West TO the effect that
Pitcher Ray Caldwell would be traded
for Shortstop Ray Chapman, of Cleye-
land, was pure canard.
"Under no consideration will Cald-
well be sold or traded" he said.
Caldwell will give his very best ser
vices 70 the New York club or he will
sit on the bench forever, without one
cent of pay. Colonel Rupert and my
self have decided that he must live his
athletic career as q Yankee. II is i'm
perative for disciplinary reasons that
we take this stand. One million dollars
would not tempt us from our purpose.
aft Ray Caldwell wishes TO be man
and forget the past we will meet him
half way. If he does not, then it is his
misfortune. He will remain with New
York. 1t is up to him TO decide wheth-
er or not his earning capacity improves
or ends. Caldwell is not vital factor
to the success of our club. On the
other hand, our club is very vital
factor to the athletic career of this
pitcher, We hope he fully appreciates
the full significance of this plain
truth"