The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-08-28
AIR Of MYSTERY
SURROUNDS SHIFT
OF GRIFF'S CLUB
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

All Gil VI mystery SulLOuiluo bhS
reported franchise shift in the
American League today. Il is re-
ported that certain stockholders of
the Washington club have been mott
fed to attend a meeting at which the
proposition will be discussed" Some
of those questioned today say they
know nothing about such a meeting.
And there the matter rests, while
Baltimore seethes in anticipation of
owning major league baseball club
in 1918.
Ed Barrow, president of the Inter
national League, when asked for in
formation concerning the shift of
the Washington franchise to Balti-
more, replied: 81 have heard nothing
of it. 1t is a certainty that any
move affecting Baltimore would have
to be known by our league. As to
future moves, / am not prepared to
state what may happen, but we are
making no preparation to evacuate
Baltimore this year."
The source of the information,
baseball man in Baltimore, continues
TO insist, according to today's Balti-
more American, that at is positively
was planning several weeks ago to
place club in Baltimore" He dis
counts all the denials from Ban John
son and members OF his league
What the American Says.
There is a peculiar angle. to the
story which leaked out prematurely
concerning the probable transfer here
OF the Washington franchise Of the
American League. Pressed for infor-
nation that would shed some light
on the matter, Ban johnson, Ed Bar
row. Jack Dunn, local Feds and
President Ben Minor, Of the Wash
ington club. in a single chorus and
with great vehemence, denied that
such a move was under consideration.
But that doesn't dismiss the matter
with those who declare themselves
as being on the inside
"A local baseball man is sponsor
Tor the tip which caused the American
TO inform the fans of the deal Sum
day. This party still insists. all de-
mails to the contrary. that it is posi-
tiVely the truth that the American
League was planning, several weeks
ago, to place a club here. He further
declares that denials by johnson and
others in baseball cannot be taken too
seriously. He points to the fact that
johnson and his pals have denied
many truths, because at the time they
Gid SO, they thought IT for their best
interests |
Something Is Brewing,
1T is in the Barrow statement that
1t can be plainly seen that something
is brewing. Big Ed is one OF the best
little baseball men extant for yiKor-
Gus denials, but his present denial
lacks much of the old-time vigor.
AS to future moves 1 am not pre-
pared to state what may happen IL
Is this particular part of his state
ment that is the most interesting TO
Baltimore fandom. II most certainly
adds significance to the belief that
there is something in the air. Also of
interest Is the concluding sentence.
which says: We are not making
preparation to evacuate Baltimore
this year All well and good. Ed but
how about next year? Perhaps YOU
don't know that there has never been
any allusion to this city being evacu-
ated this year or you would have
soft-pedaled on the last part OF vour
statement
with Sunday baseball a wonderful
magnet for the fans here the AmerI-
can League magnates would surely
DO unwise to pass Baltimore by IN
searching for city to strengthen I'M
the league. And it must be added |
that they are wise birds"
Fans Are BuEEInE.
All over Washington the fans are
buzzing, their one topic Of converse |
ton being the reported franchise /
SHIFT Almost without exception the /
fans are rallying to the support OF the /
ball club, and nothing but good can
come of the premature report.
The fans Of the Capital have not
supported the club any too well for
the past two years. but it is more than |
likely that they will do better. once |
they believe the club is to be taken
from them.
why, it's a shame" said one man. /
who has not seen a game in more than |
year, ito think OF taking our team |
away. Washington is no minor league I
town. Ban Johnson has not treated /
us right here, but it would be rank in |
sanity to put our team in Baltimore" |
Would Have No Team.
According to the Baltimore papers. |
when the franchise is shifted, the |
Capital will be left without any team |
at all, for the Orioles would be sent /
TO Syracuse, n. Y. which has been |
clamoring for class IA baseball for /
more than a year. AS II is unlikely |
that the Virginia League will even 1
start next spring, Washington would |
be without a team in organized base |
ball, a condition hardly flattering to |
its citizens.
That Jack Dunn means to make all |
the money he can while the going is |
good may be seen by his sale OF Bar
Der, Fewster, Lamar, Thormahlen, /
shannon, and McAvoy. He has col
lected $40 600 for this seNtet Of play
ers. and he expects to sell Jack Bent /
ley TO the Pittsburgh Pirates as a sub
stitute first baseman and utility hit |
ter.
EASTERN'S CAPTAIN Is