New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04

ting all he can. He owes as much to
himself and family But | do oppose
the avaricious spirit that has crept
into the game, which, even from the
players standpoint, has robbed the pro-
fession of its genuine sporting flavor
Look at the milk-fed player Of to-day
as compared to the boys Of the old
school.
This Fraternity and its fraternal
spirit are responsible in large meas
ure. In the old days a contract was
sacred. No player knew what salary
his clubmate or rival got. He didn't
know and he didn't care. His personal
ambition spurred him to try his hard
est for better contract. There were
no milk-fed athletes in those days
Players didn't seek excuses TO lay of.
They fought against being taken out
of the game, as the college athlete OF
to-day will fight. Removal, except from
accident of the most serious nature.
was considered a disgrace.
"If players could only understand
how thin is the ice upon which they
are skating they'd come to their senses
in a hurry. If they cannot be brought
to their senses any other way they Will
ruin the game, and that will mean self
ruination, too. The minor leagues are
ready to lock up shop in second.
Driven to it, the major leagues might
take reprisals that would turn the base
ball clock back TO where it was twenty
years ago.
"Did you ever stop to think that the
major leagues could get along with
Just about one-half the players they
now employ? There is no sense in the
world in carrying more than fifteen
players. The excess is simply provision
against such calamity of accident as
befell the Yankees last seaon. If all
the clubs would cut to fifteen men, the
major league races would be quite as
close and exciting as they are now.
There is an avenue to economy that the
major league player is inviting upon
himself by his avarice.
Gave Self Black Eye
The player gave himself black
eye during the DAYS of the Federal
League. He forfeited sympathy by his
general indifference to the welfare OF
his club once his name was subscribed
70 an iron-clad contract covering
term of years. There were exceptions
of course, but the exceptions were the
great stars of the stamp OF Cooo,
Speaker and Alexander. who have no
interest in the strike whatever The
fellows behind the strike, what few
are left, are the former kind OF gentle
men. They wouldn't take chance OF
injury because they were always think
ing first to protect their lron-clad
contracts.
"Wilbert Robinson got the highest
salary OF all the old Orioles. He drew
down $500 a year and had to guard
the secret as his life. McGraw, Keller,
Kelly and Jennings didn't average
much above $500. But those boys
thought, ate and slept baseball. They
were out at the park before the dew
was off the grass. They begrueged
the lunch hour. Bill Donovan thought
he was getting a princely sum his
best year, in 1910, when he won twenty
five and lost only four games for De-
troit. He drew $4,000. A busher
these days turns up his nose at such an
offer.
There is just one answer. Salaries
have climbed beyond all bounds of rea-
son. A balance must be struck or the
fnanciers will withdraw for some more
profitable business. II is up to the
players TO be reasonable. If they fail
they are simply arranging the funeral
Of their profession"
Alfredo de Orc. the we'll known pro.
fessional wizard Of the cue, is an en-
thusiastic baseball fan. This student
Of the three-cushion carom takes the
diamond sport quite as seriously rs
that Of the green baize table. During
the recent championship match al
Doyle's, between Moore and McCourt
de Orc sought out President Tener, Of
the National League. who was a spec.
tator, TO offer few suggestions for
strengthening the offence and curtail-
ing the defence of baseball.
ats more hitting and more action
on the bases you want, Governor, is
it?" de Orc began. "Well, I've fol.
lowed the game for twenty-five years
and more. and would like 10 suggest
a few minor changes which, | believe,
would fill the bill.
aid leave the rules just about as
they are; I'd make no change in the
distance or conformation OF the base
paths, nor alter the width of the plate.
I'd keep the same number of balls and
strikes as at present. But | would
suggest that every futile throw a
pitcher made TO base for base
runner should count "a ball for the
batter II the pitcher trapped the run
ner he would not be penalized; II he
failed. outside an error on the part Of
his support. the batter would benefit
TO the extent of calico hall.
"This rule. | think. would revive that
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