Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-25
|ND|ANSPAY $4,000.
FOR PITCHER WOOD.
Boston Red Sox Get Top Price
for TwirIer, Whose Value
Is ProblematicaI.
DUNN TAKING BIG CHANCE
BY DENMAN THOMPSON.

had a ball in his hand since the
season of 1915! This is the sum the
Cleveland club yesterday paid tc
the Boston Red Sox for oe
Wood. The deal, which was
consummated in New York by
Business Manager Mercy of the
Indians and President Frazee OF
the Red Sox, was a straight sale
no other players being involved
Wood is due to show up III
Cleveland tomorrow to sign a
contract. but unless he has altered
his opinion OF what he is worth
the document is not likely to be
signed without more than one
conference regarding terms.
Wood in 1915 took part IN
twenty-five games, winning four
teen and losing FIVE. He was the
leagues leading pitcher, allowing
his opponents an average OF !.49
earned runs per game, Walter
Johnson, who was second, having
a mark OF l.55. Before the end OF
the season, however, he developed
a sore shoulder and was unable
to work. The Red Sox copied
and defeated the Phillies for the
world title, but Wood had no part
in his teams triumph in the fall
classic, the pitching burden be-
ing carried by Foster, Leonard
and Shore.
The following season. 1916. the Bos-
ton club refused to accede to " ZOO
salary demands and as a consequence
he was idle throughout the campaign.
Woods attitude then furnishes Dasls
for the belief that he will ask salary
several notches higher than Cleveland
probably will offer him.
q player VINO has been idle so long
and whose ability to pitch is at best
problematical Owner Dunn OF the In
dams IS making a big gamble. ne
$4,000 for iris Speaker. He won on
that deal. for Speaker made good with
a vengeance and the team made money
as a result but in this latest move II
would appear that his success in the
Speaker proposition has Influenced him
to take step not warranted by sound
Judgment
BY the time Dunn meets Woods sal
AIRY demands Smokey Joe" will repre-
sent an investment of at least $4,000.
and unless Wood surprises the base
ball world and shows the form that
made him one Of the most formidable
will be a heavy loser. Wood is said
to have taken treatments for his shout
der last year and claims his whip Is
as good as it ever was. but that re-
cases similar to Woods. are rare ex-
ceptions.
Ray Caldwell is lost in Washington
at least that was the report current
van and Capt. HYston. half owner of
the New York Americans. passed
through the city on their way to the
training camp at Macon. Ga. accom-
panied by Business Manager Sparrow.
Coach Farrell, Trainer Duggan. seven
newspaper men and four play ers-
Mogridge. Maisel. Russell and Fergu-
son Bob McGraw. recruit pitcher;
to report as he had been instructed to
do, or to notify headquarters OF any
reason for his delinquency. 1t would
seem that Ray is up to his old tricks.
Caldwelrs absence made the actual
playing strength at the start of the
trip the smallest ever known in the
history of the New York club, only
Mogridge and Ferguson leaving from
New York. Thirteen athletes are ex-
pected to proceed to Macon direct from
their homes, however. these being
Alexander. Gilhooley, Cullop. Hendryx
Shocker. Walters, Love. Enright. Mon
roe, Percy. Ross. Olsen and Shaw.
Manager Griffith last night said that
Merito Acosta alone of the Nationals
has thus far failed to get in line for
the 1917 season. Griff admitted one
other player had not yet signed. but he
said he expected this athletes docu-
1nent to arrive at any time. Nothing
has been heard from Acosta, who is
reported to be fighting with the rebels
in Cuba under his father, Col. Baldo-
nero Acosta.
President Ban Johnson of the Ameri-
can League yesterday announced he
would make application to government,
officials to have expert drill sergeants
OF the United States Army accompany
the eight clubs of the American League
to their spring training camps mill
tary instructors for the ball players
johnson says Capt. Huston. one of the
owners of the New York club. has sug-
gested that furlouGhs might be granted
these sergeants 10 permit them to &C
with the teams. md the league head
adds that the club owners will be
asked to comp rsate the regular army
men for their services.
Reports frori New York yesterday
Were that Mai Dorey of Maj. Gen
Woods staff highly impressed with
Huston's plan, I'D come to this city
to York on; plans with the War De.
partfient tog providing the necessar,
drill officers, 4unS and other essen
tiaie Inquiry at the War Department
yesterday established the fact tina
Mai Dorey was in Washington Frida,
and left the city at midnight tina
night, but none OF the officials at thu
department or the War College knew
anything about the plan for giving thu
ball players military training, and NJ
one could be found with whom Maj
Dorey had talked regarding the pro
posal-
Ping Bodie. the former fence buster
of the White Sox, who is scheduled Il
return to the main tent with the Mack
men this year, may surprise lot o.
the fans in the American League. ac
cording to Clark Griffith. Bodie is sale
to have learned lot of base ball in TIL,
Pacific Coast League in the two year,
since he left the Chicago Americans
He has taken OFF lot of weight and II
faster in every respect.
'Bodie is far better ball player thar
the reputation he established for him
self while in the American Leagu,
would Indicate. says Griff. He cal
hit the ball a mile and is especial,
dangerous with men on because of hi
long-driving ability. He was no sloucl