New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23
Rupert Gives
Fans Look at
Cub Players
Game Between Regulars and
Rockies Each Day Proves
Popular Innovation
By w. ]. Macbeth

BY w. ]. Macbeth
when the Yankees 90 into training
next spring and the correspondents
begin TO send back the usual optimistic
gossip Of the seasons outlook New
York fans will have this distinct adj
vantage over those Of most other cities.
The people will know at least some
.hing Of what the scribes are talking
about
For this boon they may thank Colonel
Jacob Rupert, president OF the New
York Americans. When the unwel-
come realization that the 1916 cast was
failure hit the colonel he simply
squared his shoulders and set about
the task Of saving something from the
wreck Most major league magnates
would have been discouraged had they
been in his place. For he has spent, IN
building up the club, approximately
5000. 900 for new players. The invest
ment began 10 look mighty poor along
about July Fourth last.
Array of Scouts
when the big break came Colonel
Euppcrt and his business associate,
Captain T. l.. Huston, became CON
WINGED that there was only one thing
to do. That was to send an army Of
scouts out through the sticks 70 garner
everything that looked like a ball
player. The big bank roll was held IN
reserve. This winter, If tried stars
can be bought, they will be purchaseu
regardless Of price. The owners OF the
Yankees are determined to have a WIN
rer and that in the near future,
Colonel Rupert is a man OF action
81 20 dot
morrow what he may find out ABOUT
his assets to-day. Wherefore New
York is indebted TO him for the fact
that il is now having the privilege OF
passing judgment on those recruits
sent UP By the scouts. Usually big
league club hides behind the cover OF
spring training so as TO camounage
mistakes. Not so the husthng presl-
dent of the Yankees.
"The fam says Colonel Rupert, lis
as much a part Of the baseball lnstitu-
ton as the player. Il is only fair that
he be given an opportunity to express
his opinion upon club policles. Inc
fan is sympathetic. lie is always pull
ing for the yOunEster.
at was for this very reason that we
decided 20 call IN I'll our young talent
This fall and break them in with lntra-
club contests before metropolitan audi
cnces. Now. success or failure may not
depend on what these lads show US
now. They will be given every oppor-
tunitv TO make good next spring, OF
course. But the experience should re-
move whatever gun shyness may exist
I think they will be far better quail
lied to do their best next spring by be-
coming acquainted now
That his scouting staff has not been
idlirg on the colonel this summer is
attested By practically every major
league manager in the business.
Griffith Expects Results
'If the Yankees are not an improve
Dcnt next season" said Clark Griffith
the other dav. at will be because there
are no ball players in the sticks.
EVERYWHERE ous scouts went said
Lee Foil. they arrived Just too late.
The Yankee sleuths had made clean
Nm and a getaway. The only thing |
can figure is that Colonel Rupert must
have designs on cornering the minor
league market. He certainly will have
hard time finding places for his
Youngsters. He has enough Tor two or
three teams. And half q dozen OF
them | would give lot TO have with
the Indians"
The young players whose pictures &C
recognized by local fandom, for they
are some OF the colts who have been
playing daily against The regulars or
Who have been injected into the main
lineup from time to time.
Samuel b. Wick. known in Memphis
as the Mississippi Mauler, was pur-
chased from the Memphis (Southern
League Club. Wick was taken on the
recommendation of Scout Bob Gllks,
who sent up Catcher Al Walters. Inc
boy can do everything well-run, field,
nit and throw. This IS his hrst season
in professional company
Wick was born in Central Academy,
Miss, April u, 1895, and learned the
rame at Millsaps College. His only other
Experience outside Of Memphis was
last season in the Delta Auto League,
an independent circuit. Bill Robert
son, pitching for Memphis at the time,
was sent on a gum shoe trip through
A the Delta League and signed WICK TO
N A contract. He reported in the spring
W of 1917 and made good from the start.
He is 5 feet lOL inches tall and weighs
1G2 pounds. The latest batting aver
ages from the Southern Association
show Wick hitting for an average OF
.G16.
Infelder Aaron Ward was purchased
from the Charleston club Of the South
Atlantic League. Ward Joined the
Yankees about a month ago, and has
made a good impression with his play
IN the inner works Ward in the South
Atlantic League finished the season
with a batting average Of .295. Wards
position is shortstop. He bats and
throws righthanded and is only twenty
years old. He Is feet 10 inches tall
and weighs los pounds.
Ray Schalk, of South
Muddy" Ruel. another PLAYER pur-
chased from Memphis, in the Southern
League. is known among the minor
league ball players as the Ray Schalk
OF the South His good work with the
Memphis club this season was such
that he was touted as the best catcher
IN the minor leagues. Ruel is good
hitter. His batting average up 70 the
time he reported to the Yanks was .2S4'
Puel had a trial with the 81. Louis
Americana in 1915. He has been with
Memphis the past three seasons. Ruel
is only twenty-one years old. lie
stands 5 feet inches and weighs 100
rounds.
Outfelder William Lamar, purchased
from the Baltimore club Of the lnterna-
,ional League, halls from Rockville, Nd.
He first attracted attention in semi
pro ranks around Washington. lie
-. . - -, tho Rlua RIDGE League