The Washington times., 1916-01-02

NEW YORK. Jan. THE lean years
OF baseball are over. The war which
shook the entire structure OF the
sport from turret to foundation stone
has been settled. and prosperity seems
destined to follow the flag Of peace.
The game will be played on the dia-
mond instead Of in the court rooms: /:
the players rather than the lawyers
will do the batting, and the fans.
a-waary of the pickering and legal
procedure OF the last two or thre
years will find the change delight
fully refreshing.
Under the terms Of the treaty of
Cincinnati, by which the belligerents
laid down their arms. th2se PLAYERS
who are affiliated with the Federal
League will receive cl- an bill OF
health. and will be eligible TO play
with clubs and leagues operating un-
der the national agreer,ent.
This will result in an influx of the
star talent from the Feds, and at thi )
time 1t is impossible tc make any
adequate forecast OF what the season
will bring forth. 1t is safe to yeI;-
ture. however. that the new blood and
Few faces will add that impetus
which is so sadlJ needed.
There are those managers who stout
ly declare they will not employ men
from the once so-called outlaws" but
these warlike utterances are more OF
the heated brain than of the heart.
There are few teams in the National
League which are strong enough to
warrant their owners refusal to add a
real star to the roster. The American
League. already top heavy, will not de-
cline a chance to add strength where
may be said that strength is needed
in Washington. New York, st. Louis.
Philadelphia and Cleveland.
Stars of the brilliance of Benny
Kauff. who has won the title OF "Ty
Cobb of the Federal League" Fred
Falkenberg, RousCh. Tobin. George
Anderson Flack. Lee Magee. Dave
Davenport and others of similar ability
need have no cause for worry. A
berth with a major league team seems
assured to them.
Federals and cut a wide swath will
undoubtedly be a visitor at the Polo
Grounds next summer, but what his
sffiliation will be and what the affilia,
tions of the others will be time alone
will discover. 1t is more than likely
Federais will find employment in the
National Lea~ue.
The downfall OF the GIants, which
was as much the sensation of the Ma
ttonal League as the rise OF the Phil
lies. has been the cause OF much tall
and wonderment. The fans may be as
sured of this. John J. McGraw is nO
the man to cry over the past. Already
he is planning for the future. and ha:
trades in view which will add power t.
his team 1t is known that he want,
Benny Kauff, and next summer may
find that fiery youngster wrecking tn,
Polo Ground fences. McGraw also i,
after pitchers and a young catcher
with experience.
The Braves will he more powerful
this year. Johnny Evers may not b'
has sent assurances that his arm is re
spending to treatment. and that he will
be back. With those men in the lineup
| the Braves may fear none.
Jimmy Callahan. who for years Guid
ed the destinies of the Chicago White
| Sox until replaced by Clarence Row
land will return to the major League
as director OF the Pirates. II there Il
one man above another who can lif
the Pirates out Of the depths, il Is Cal
lahan He knows the game from rv
ere angle, and is the type OF leader Il
develop men,
The American League, which was 81
top-heavY last season as to rob th'
prnnant race ~ interest early in tn,
year, is equally top-hea"v this year
RoStOn. Dct~'ii. ""' ChrHFn are "a,
ard awaV TIE '"H"Ns "
would seem that the one way to huilt
M power in the others would bc Il
construct new teams. From presen
indications there are 20 clubs to giH'