New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-20
National Commission
Awards Sensational
Pitcher to MCGraW
Bv W. ]. MACBETH

Bv W. ]. MACBETH
Waite C.. Hoyt. one Of the most sem
sational high school pitchers the game
has ever known, will accompany John
I NeCraw and his Giants 20 Marlin,
Tex. for spring training next month.
Hoyt was officially awarded 70 the New
York National League Club yesterday
in decision Of the National Commits
sion.
The case OF Hoyt was ono Of the
most important put before the Trium-
viratc in many years. McGraw's at
tcn.icn was attracted TO the lad when
the latter was member Of the EraS-
mus Hall High School nine. With the
Brooklyn school team the young fellow
easily established himself as the cham
pion twirlcr of his company.
Tor several years he led not only IN
effectiveness allowing the least per
ccntacc Of runs but accumulated the
most victories as well. Waite toyt
reached the pinnacle Of his high school
fame when he pitched his third no-hit
game.
Only Eighteen Years Old
r-ovt had not reached his eighteenth
birthday when NcGraw, OF tine Giants,
became interested 8. him. Mac got
tho consent Of the boys father 90 place
the youucstcr where he might develop
for future use with the local National
League club. Iloyt signed contract
with the Giants. A. the close OF the
1916 school season ne reported TO the
Polo Grounds Under the directions
Of WcGraw. Uovt was schoolcd in va
rious ways. principally through pitch
ing % battcrs DO practice, mornings
and afternoons.
The Hartford. Conn. club. OF the
Eastern League. was sorcly pressed TOT
pitchcrs last mId-scason, and bcGged
NcGraw for any kind of man thaJ
could get the bali M 90 the plate.
IIoyt begged 90 be sent out for the
cxpcriercc. NcGraw finally consented
90 let the boy go to Hartford, hut
cAplained 20 the minor league cluO III
should not compromise hum in any
way that cutaiied signing a minor
league contract. loyt also promScd
not to subscribe 20 any new document
The Hartford management. however
soon prevailed upon lloyt TO sign
contract. When this instrument was
promulgated McGraw ordered HoEt 10
roDo~t back TO the Giants. Hartford
cemurrcd. D. laid claim 20 the young
stcr's title and suspended hum. ne
case was Immediately laid before the
National Commission.
Yesterdays decision not only gives
the Giants clear title 20 promising
Young pitcher, but rejects on similar
case chat has caused mo- end Of com
motion within the last couple of years
Tho case of Hoyt was boz many re-
spects similar 10 that Of George SISTER
che versatile first basemau OF the 81
Ioui. Browns. The loss of Slsler
rrowpted more than one revolutionary
threat from Barney Drpytuss, prcsl-
dent Of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Sisler Case Similar
elcr. while minor, signed an
s~roomont to play with the Akron,
Dino. team. if he ever decided 20 turn
rroro.siona. he was member of the
University of Michigan team az inc
time. prcyfuss purchased Akron S al
legged title 60 the youth.
Sisters negotiations with "a protcs-
sional club cloudcd his amateur stand
ing. to clear which Sisters father re-
undated the boys agreement and
asked the Comm sion TO- declare hum
% free agent This was done. Later
upor graduation. SIslor signed with the
81. Louis Browns. Branch Hickey. ln
command of tine Mound City aggrcga-
ton. had been Sisters coach at Nlcni-
rar. Drcyfg-s alleged that ~uolcriuse
and coercion had free play In the case.
IIc never has accepted and never VIII
accept The decision gracefully.
Hovts father also Tepudiatcd the
contract IN. son entered into with the
Hartford club. he assured the commls-
SION that he the father had pledged
hf. sons services TO NcGraV. As Sister
preferred the Brown, 60 the Pirates so
Waite &. Uoyt preferred New York to
Hartford This latest ruling follows
the precedent established lu the SIsicr
case.
Rosy Looking Future
Whether or not Hoyt will be p vital
factor in the success of the 1919 Giants
remains to be- seen. a training trip may
roHsh him sufficiently for fast COM
rank. Iic may need year or two IA
some good minor league. ln any event
OFF. BIS rosy looking future. No, yet
out of Dis teens. llOyt stands close TO
,N feet in height. and is rapidly near
inr the compound mark in weight. lie
D. Young gentleman with plenty OF
time before him. He seems well worth
nursing.
Manager Bin Donovan OF the Yankees
las just heard from Flank Gilhooley.
The brilliant little outrelder and coun-
tcrpart OF Wee Willie Keller Is visit
irl boo Montreal.
"The ankle is ass good as ever writes
Gil. "Ill bc ready 90 start in at Macon
a. fast as ] was when hurt last July.
I'm skating every day. There Is no
soreness: the ankle ls as strong as
ever and just as free. The bell cannot
ring too soon for me-
I'M his letter Gilhooley made no refer
cucc 20 the strike of the players.
According TO man prominent IN
baseball circles the threatened strike
win have cyaporatcd inside the next
two weeks.
"Thc tip-oF." said he yesterday, els
tie attitude loo which the stars of the
game regard the proposed waikout
When men like Cobb, Eddie Collins,
Tr., Speaker Roger Pcckupaugh, Gro
vcr Alexander and some more ] know
spnd assurances that they viii not be
ylctimizcd by "a minor league issue you
can tcll Just where the middle men Viii
land at the final roI'call.
VI ann in position 90 know he con-
cludcd. chat moro major league play
en- have either signed or accepted
terms than has been customary az this
time of the year. ia be willing 20 bet
that more than $50 per cent of the
major league talent unsigned last fall
las already given every assurance OF