The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-10-26

manager of the Yankees, He signed
a two. years contract yesterday after
noon at the Offices Of the New York
American League Baseball Club. The
amount of his salary was not stated,
but it is likely that he will receive a,
least $4,000 and a small percentage
of the profits of the club.
Higgins succeeds William Dono-
van, who has. managed the Yankees
during the three seasons that have
passed since their purchase by Col
Jacob RUPERT and Capt. T. L. Hus-
ton. The latter is at present in France
in command of Company A of thet
Sixteenth Regiment of Engineers of
the U. s. A. The entire burden Of
running the baseball club, therefore,
has devolved upon Col. Rupert, and
he sent out word that he had an i'm
portant announcement to make.
When the newspaper men had
gathered at about o'clock yesterday
the president of the New York club
greeted them and then addressed
them about as follows:
'tA11 during the summer various
persons have been appointing new
personally preferred to wait until the
personally preferrd t wat until the
season was over befor I did anything
in the matter. Then decided that
would select a man of my own
choosing.
There were many candidates in
the field and considered each one
carefully. Only this morning did
arrive at final conclusion. I decid-
ed on Miller Higgins. I have not
signed him to contract yet but
propose to sign him now. The con-
tract has been drawn up during the
day and here is Mr.. Higgins
Higgins was then produced from
the inner Office, where he had been
secreted, and those present congratu-
lated him and warned him that any
thing he said would be used against
him. Then they started to interview
him, but Col. Rupert called atten-
ton. to the fact that he had not as
yet signed his contract and was not
therefore technically manager. This
fornality was then completed with
the contract being signed in duplicate.
The new leader of the Yankees then
talked a little of his plans for the
future.
81 had no quarrel with the st. Louis
club" he said, land am leaving the
Cardinals under the most friendly cir
l S1AAASIotAOSo 1AAo Will It1S 066I u
wishes for their success The club
| made me an offer to remain, but left
because T felt that 7 could do better
| here. talked the whole matter over
/ with President, Hickey.
Because there has been SO much
talk about the matter I want to- say
that had no agreement Of any kind
! with President johnson of the Ameri-
l r =, -
be a chance in the management of the
| New York club. and once when was
In the city this summer asked Col
| Rupert IL the report were true. He
told me that he had not at that tim.
made up his mind. At the Worlds
Series saw him again and he told
me that he did not care to talk then
but that if cared to do SO I might
take the matter up with him later. J
saw him again. yesterday and this
morning we came to an understand.
ting.
'I am of course glad to come tt
New York. I have seen most Of this
American League clubs in action bu
never happened to see the Yankees
Marsans and Gi1hoo1ey are the only
players on the team that I know, sbu
naturally have learned all about tn,
club that. could from others and
believe that there is the neucleus of {
good baseball club. We must strength
en- certain places and that is some
thing that will mean going to worl
Immediately.
ST expect to leave for Chicago to
night and from there will go to ST
Louis. Thomas J. Connery, WIN
secuted for the Cardinals and foun,
me Hornsby, will come here with m
as scout He with Joe Kelley AM
Bob Gilkes should be able to fin,
some Of, the material we need"
Miller Huggins was born In Cancin
, natl, O., on March II. 1880. He began
his baseball career with the Wapa
koneta saEni-pro team, in 1898, as
shortstop. The following year HI
played with the Mansfield team of tn
Interstate league, and In 1900 was 1
member of the F1eischman Catskil
AIoUntain club, another semi-pro or
ganization.
He became a second 6asen1an II
1901, when he covered the middle sacl
for the ST. Paul club of the Western
league. Here he remained until h
was secured by the Cincinnati cluH
in 1904. He covered the Keystone Pc
: sition for the Reds until 1910, whel
! he was traded to st. Louis. In 191:
: Huggins succeeded Roger BfesnaIhal
. las manager of the Cardinals. Unde
; his leadership the ST. Louis club fin
ished last twice, sixth once, and tflir
twice.
> |. Higgins was good batter and on
1 Iof the hardest HeTls to pitch to in tn
: lgaIne. In 1914, for instance, he dfe5
. los bases on balls in 148 battles. FL
= twas a fine base runner and in cense
quence was given the nickname Q
'9the Rabbit" Huggins has been
, bench manager for a couple of sea
sons and declared yesterday that hi
> playing days were over and that h
Z would not attempt to cover second fe
the Yankees.
In person Huggins is a short. stock
Individual, and, like most small nae1
. is quick and aggressive. He alwa5
!, had the name of being a smart ba
: player and rs considered a SINAI
4 manager. He was highly recommend
: ed to Col. Rupert by various baseba
r men, and the Colonel is outspeken
his belief that he has found, the rigf
leader to guide his team to the Per
: nant upon which he has set his hear
s In talking with Higgins the Colon
: promised him absolutely a free han
n with the team and told him that
a IaIone would he responsible and ths