New-York tribune., 1917-12-04
Giants Oppose
Player Roster
OF Eighteen
McCraw in City to Make
Plans for Next Seasons
Baseball Race
By W. J. Macbeth

blhhts, returned yeStetuAy from ms
vacation TO help prepare definite
policy for the champion club Of the
National League against next weeks
annual meeting Of the Tener circuit.
There seems little occasion for worry
on the part of the New York Nationals
as TO the outcome Of the pennant race
Of 1918, for II was By Gar the best ag-
gregation in its company and has suf-
fered practically none from the mill
tary draft, while other rivals have been
pretty hard hit since the close Of the
season. II is known. however, thai the
executive OF the Giants does not regard
With favor the proposition Of an eigh-
teen player roster for major league
clubs.
Personally, MeGraw has always been
strongly opposed 10 any form of player
limit. He has always argued that
major league clubs should be permitted
to carry as many or few men as they
chose. Through his influence Harry y.
Hampstead has always fought every en-
croachment along this line from Ma
tional League clubs not so fortunate in
business opportunity as the Giants.
New York held out stubbornly against
the twenty-fve-player roster when it
was first adopted, and even more
spiritedly against the twenty-five limit,
which now prevails.
One Of McGraw's main arguments
! heretofore against the National
/ Leagues most conservative limit was
most logical. He maintained that the
American League, which was allowed to
carry through the season four more
| players than National League rivals,
enjoyed a decided edge in the annual
world series. This particular argu-
ment will be Knocked into n cooked hat
if both leagues adopt limit Of eigh-
/ teen players per team. But still New
York's case can in no wise be benefited
by any rule which may be argued fair
/ for all as for one.
Many Promising Youngsters
/ The New York club to-day has won
]
/ full if better team could be picked
! from all the other seven clubs. In ad.
/ dition there are number OF very
promising youngsters coming up for
trial next spring, headed by Ross
/ Young, an outhelder Of brilliant prom
/ Use. If McGraw can retain but eighteen
/ players, therefore, he must sacrifice
half a dozen or so that will benefit op-
naf ton ma ND AL. l. l. -.
work more serious problem. Inward
ly for many years he has felt legsla-
tion toward player economy a direct
connivance of the enemy rivals toward
landing cheaply from New York play
/ ing talent of worth.
] The New York club cannot hope,
single-handed, to prevent a pairing of
/ the roster limit The other National
League club pres dents seem set on this
means toward economy. And from
hints that Ban Johnson has dropped il
would appear the American League will
trail right along with the notion.
McGraw is smart enough 20 realize
the fact, and, II ne possesses that gem
/ eralship attributed to him, doubtless
came to town 20 do the bes. possible
toward turning possible reverse into
the very best account. The avenue for
this saving grace lies in the best dis
position Of surplus talent.
If the National League adopts the
/ eighteen-player roster Il is a moral GER
/ tainty the Giants will be found on the
/ bargain counter with both feet before
/ next weeks meeting breaks up. What
/ the club most needs, irrespective OF the
/ eligible list, is two or three good right
/ handed pitchers. These may DO had at
a price. Of course New York has the
I price in surplus talent IL the club has
/ to be chopped TO eighteen. Next week
/ is likely to bo one Of the most active
/ ones Of John j. McGraw's strenuous
/ career
I According to Roger Peckinpaugh.
| shortstop Of the Yankees, Frank Baker
will retire to his Maryland farm after
/ the 1918 campaign. Peek believes the
team is due for an uplift under Miller
Higgins, provided the midget escapes
the wholesale calamity Of accidents that
marred Bill Donovans local experience.
Bob Shawkey in Maine
II claim no pennant." says Peckin-
paugh, "but II Higgins succeeds in
landing Del Pratt will bet my salary
we finish no worse than third"
The Yankee Office has heard from
Bob Shawkey, pitching star Of 1916.
Bob and his wife are enjoying the
rigors of winter in Maine hunting
camp.
With Colonel Rupert and Harry
Sparrow out Of tovn, IL was impossible
yesterday to verify a rumor from Phil.
adelphia 20 the effect that Catcher Red
Doom would be added TO the advisory
staff of Miller Huggins.
Doom, the story goes, will 20 South
TO coach the battery material and lator
In the season may do some scouting.
Fielder Jones will manage the 81.
Louis Browns next year. on the word
OF PM Ball, president of the club
Ball says the matter was settled some
time ago at n conference among Jones,
Ban johnson and himself. There
was never any doubt in the matter, save
in the mind of Jones, who somehow
got the idea that he was persona non
grata.
George Burns. first baseman OF the
Tigers, may not be with Jennings next
season, as he has been called in the
draft Hughie intends, therefore, 10
specialize with kid named Leo Dres-
sen, who is shifty, though green. Ty
Cobb thinks Dresser one Of the bright
est prospects, as batter, he has seen
in the last ten years.
Record for Donald Ross