The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-03-12
HONUS WAGNER ABOUT
READY TO QUIT GAME
Pirates Famous shorsop Signifies Desire Become Scout
Nap Rucker Shortly to Leave Plantation to Scout For
Dodgers-Good Southpaws Developed.

10 the list OF time-frayed baseball
heroes whose careers were ended last
season by the crowding years will soon
be added the name OF Hans Wagner.
The big Dutchman, now in this forty
third year. will probably not play
through another season. Last year he
was forced to spend much OF his time
on the bench, and although IL was
planned by Manager Callahan. of
Pittsburg. 10 play the great shorts:op
at first base this year. Il is now
doubtful If he can stand the strain OF
another season,
Wagner liz perhaps the most pictur-
esque figure In the game. and has
been for many years. He recently had
4 conference with President Barney
Dreyfuss about his contract for this
season, and he then told the Pirate
owner thai he wanted 10 become
baseball scout and search through the
minor leagues for new playing talent
Wagner has been retiring for a long
lime. but this va the nrst intimation
that he has ever given that no actually
admitted his playing days were over.
Another indication OF IL 10 that Man
grooming new players for shortstop
ana Arst base on the Pittsburs team.
wagner han't Agnsd hts contract
yet He has been drawing $4,000
salary from the Pirates, and this year
he received . big cut. But II isn't the
cut In salary ~ much Is Il In the
lect that he doesn't know whether he
can start the season that il holding
Wagner from signing. He realizes
tina. his baseball days are over. and
he hesitates TO begin a season and
-
wonderful reputation he has enjoyed
n the national pastme-
Las season wagner saw almost all
Of the las. OF the old diamond heroes
depart from active playing in the ma
jors. He saw MAthewson toss aside his
glove ana become = manager. He saw
ThYee- fingered Brown do his last stunt
with the Cubs. He witnessed the pass
ing OF Nap Rucker and Napoleon
IAjoie. Now old Father Time seems
TO be beckoning to Hans, and he has
about decided TO quit. That's why he
wants to be appointed . scout
OF course, Manager Callahan and
President Dreyfuss are trying to per-
suade Wagner TO take another try at
tho Eame. but no hesitates to make a
cecision.
Pitssburg has acquired Warren
Adams, q promising young nrst base
man. who was obtained by the waiver
route from Brooklyn. Bill Hinchman,
who has been playing right feld tor
the PfrAtoa, may also Be called upon
to play arst II Adams fails to make
good. Chuck ward. . fast inieldsr
from the Portland club, Of the Pacific
Coast league. has been signed to play
shortstop.
Nap RuoRsr win soon leave his cot
ton plantation In Georgia and 20
scouting for the Brooklyn club. The
famous old lsft-hander will soour the
Southern association. the TEXAS league
and the South Atlantic league for new
material TO strengthen the Dodgerx
Fucker Joined Brooklyn back In 1897
when Patsy Donovan was manager.
He was unKainly ard awkward then.
when Donovan drafted him from the
Atlanta club. but the Brooklyn man
aEer took q liking 70 him and soon
showed him all the big Ieague pitch
Ing tY1okA
Unfortunately. tho Brooklyn club
was always down IN the ieaSue racs