Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-09

1t is generally recognized that the
next Army draft will take scores OF
ball players, including many of the
stars, and voluntary enlistments daily
are depriving the sport of additional
first rank players. This being the case
it will be difficult to maintain the high
standard demanded of major league
clubs even with a roster of twenty-five.
and if reduced to eighteen the danger
of presenting a grade of sport artisti-
cally inferior to that the fans are en-
titled to would come dangerously close
to a reality. 1t is true that the reduc-
the American than to the National
League, but with many high-priced
stars gone and a general and compre-
hensive adjustment of salaries in pros
terially reduced without cutting the
player limit, 1t would seem wise to
carry as many players as the financial
status of each club will permit. At any
rate, there appears to be no good rea-
son why the big leagues should take
any action on the problem now. Those
in charge of the sport may come to
realize this, too; continue under the
If conditions found to obtain after the
season gets under way demand it.
It is extremely unlikely any trading
IL
when they hold their meetings this
week. President Weeghman of the
Cubs has talked SO much of a deal that
will rock the base ball world that it
may be he already has arranged for
swap that will be announced when the
National League owners gather in New
York Tuesday. But if this deal does
materialize it probably will be the only
one. The magnates are not in posi-
ton to talk trade because none Of them
m a he
able to deliver the athletes who might
be involved, owing to the uncertainty
of the effect of the next call to the col
ors. If the result of the second draft is
known before the leagues hold their
schedule meetings in February, there
is liable to be good deal doing in
the trading line, however, as every
pilot will be anxious to plug holes left
by those athletes answering the sum-
mons to arms.
Pessimism figures but little in the
makeup Of Clark Griffith. The job of
fixing up Joe Judges broken leg was
bungled in Detroit to such an extent
that he never was able to use it, and
had to submit to having it fractured
again, and although reports from Port
land, Me-, where the second operation
was performed. are to the effect that
Judges playing days may be ended,
Griff refuses to be worried. How can
they conclude that Judge is through as
d
couple of weeks since he was operated
on?" Griff asked yesterday. His leg
still is in a plaster cast and will be
for a month more. They can't see
through the cast to tell how the bones
have knitted. This talk about a ball
player never being any good after SUI
fering such an accident as Judge did
is all bosh. I'll lay you a wager that
Judge is right on the job when report
ing time rolls around and that he has
a better season in every respect than
he did this year.
Reduced from a world championship
aggregation to a point where hardly
all within year, is the spectacle pre-
scented by the Boston Red Sox. Only a
few players are left OF the outfit that
entered this years race favored to cap
ture the bunting, but which disappoint-
ed it's supporters, although identical in
lineup with the 1916 team save for the
absence of Manager Carrigan. No COM
plants will be voiced over this state OF
affairs, however, as 1t was brought
about by a worthy cause-that of serv-
ing Uncle Sam. At this time ten play
ers fromsthe American League strong
hold in the city of beans and culture |
have discarded their base ball uniforms
for those of khaki or blue. The list,
pictures of four of whom appear in this
issue. includes Manager Jack Barry, |
Outfielder Duffy Lewis, Catcher Sam
Agnew. Utility Infelders Mike Mentally, |
Del Gamer and Phil Gooney; Pitchers |
Ernie Shore, Herb Pennock. Sam Jones
and Jack Bentley. And others are to |
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