The Washington herald., 1916-01-09

As a prophet Grin can already consioer
himself hitting well over the 800 mark
The words he uttered two years ago nave
been fulfilled with a vengeance.
Take, for instance. the big men of the
Federal League, those who put up real
money. Have. they been left out in the
coldG
Not on your life. Charley weeghman
has purchased the Cubs. Phil Ball and
Otto SteifeL OF st. Louis, now control
the Browns: Ed. Gwinner will probably
buy the Cleveland Americans, while
Harry Sinclair is bidding for the New
York Giants and may eventually land
them.
Just what becomes of the Federal
League ball players nobody at present
knows, but only those players who have
contracts which will hold water in a
court OF law will be taken care OF during
the life Of their contracts; the hundreds
Of others must hustle for themselves and
will this coming spring play for whole
lot less money than they received while
with the Outlaws
Competent critics vouchsafe the infor-
nation that less than fifty Federal
League players will be seen in the major
leagues this season, and but for the fact
that st. Louis and Chicago Fed managers
had been able to buy their way into or
ganized baseball, less than that number
would be hired.
What is to become Of the other 300
or more Federal League players? Where
will they go?
There is but one answer. the others
will be forced to hustle for themselves,
be picked up perhaps by minor league
managers and forced to accept what
ever salary is offered, or else remain
idle.
Yes, it's all turning out just exactly as
II.
are the only ones who will suffer as the
result Of the recent baseball war, for
in addition to slashes in salary on the
part OF Federal League players, there
are many players from the ranks OF
organized ball who will also be forced
TO labor for lower wages this season,
players who held up club owners for
fancy salaries because the Feds were
flirting with them.
The wall from the ball players has
not as yet started. Just wait until it
does.
c. D. SIoan,-of Linden, Tenn. a big
right-handed pitcher, has been signed by
Manager Grifith for a trial here this
Sloan is recommended by Horace Milan,
one Of the Nationals outielders.
The following story is going the rounds
Of the newspapers:
Hugh Jennings admits that one sorrow
Of his life is that he can't get a good
pitching staff.
Clark Grifith and were talking
about it," said Hugh. /" Put a Washing
ton uniform on any sort Of a pitcher,
told him, and he becomes a star in the
box
YES he replied. and put a Detroit
uniform on 80 hitter and he hits
800
ITS true. Do you know that I passed
Up a chance to get Nap Rucker for about
500? did. When Cobb came to US he
begged me to get RuCker, but wouldn't
listen to him.
Il also passed up Walter Johnson,
Just this season could have had Nehf
George Stallings' sensational left-hander
Il don't know why It is. but l cant
Judge pitching material II I could, a
world series would be easy for US
There will be no syndicate baseball
in either the American or National
League Mr.. Sinclair has no financial in
terest in either the st. Louis American
League Club or the Chicago Nationals.
He put through the two deals that re-
suited in Mr.. Ball and Mr.. Weeghman
buying their way into organized base
ball2 but there his interest in the two
clubs ended"
Thus spoke James A. Gilmore upon his
arrival in New York Friday afternoon.
Gilmore and Sinclair departed later for
Cleveland. where they will endeavor to
purchase the Cleveland Club from Charles
Somers for Edward Gwinner. Gwinner
was president of the Pittsburgh Fed
erals for two years, and for holding that
Office and financing the club 1t cost him
somewhere in the neighborhood Of N0,-
900.
Golfers have been looking for the per
feet putter ever since the game became
popular, but have looked in vain. EX-
perts have marveled at the fact that nc
one has been able to master this art as
Hoppe has billiards, Newcomb and Wool
folk Henderson trapshooting and Other
athletic artists who are nearly letter
perfect; but at last there is man In
sight who Is in fair way to earn the
title Of "the perfect putter."
The demon putter Is Willie Hoppe, tht
marvel Of the billiard world. Hoppe ha:
take up golf, and has become so infatu
ated with the game that he is neglecttnt
his billiard practice shamefully. Hops
has had a great deal Of trouble gettinE
the proper direction in driving, but as 1
putter he is already looked upon as 6
marvel
II is only natural that Hoppe shoulC
be a wonderful putter. He is gifted will
wonderful nerves and the steadiest pal
Of hands in the entire athletic world Th'
years of practice nursing the ivories
which REQUIRES delicate stroke, will b
a great help to the billiard player in hi
putting game. Hoppe has the necesssr!
patience to become q marvel at the roya
game, and no doubt will soon be one o
our best players