Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-16

War Clause in Agreement.
Only two things can prevent Alexan-
der and Kiilefer from appearing in Cub
uniforms next season, and. as Manager
Mitchell thinks, bring pennant to the
North Side in Chicago. Both are re-
earded an unlikely. One is that the
players refuse to work for President
weeghman and the other is that they
will be called to the colors. In the
agreement executed between the two
clubs there is wartime clause stipu-
lating that in the event either athlete
is drafted any time prior to thirty
days before the opening of the 1918
season the deal shall be automatically
cancelled. Weeghman demanded this
rider be attached to the agreement to
protect the Chicago club against the
loss of one or both of the players in
case they should be summoned for
service in the Army or Navy. In any
event the Quakers stand to lose their
services.
Alexander and Killefer have been re-
garded as about half the strength of
the Phiis. The former Is regarded as
one of the greatest pitchers in the his
tory of base ball and the latter gener-
ally is conceded to have been the best
catcher in the National League last sea-
son.
Alex was never reluctant about going
in and working out of his turn. and
killefer was glutton for work and
never shirked when called upon by
Moran. The two probably won more
games by their individual and team
efforts than any other four men on the
Pills This is saying a great deal, but
when considering that Alexander won
100 games during his career with the
Pills and only lost IS in that time. his
worth to the team is apparent. And in
most of these games Bill kiilefer was
behind the bat to handle his delivery.
This speaks volumes for the worth of
Kfllefer to the club and the effect his
presence had upon Alexander. As a
battery mate to Alexander. Killefer is
with the ease Kiilefer does. Alex does
not care to have any other man catch
him and he has shown it many n time
that he cannot twirl with the same eff
fectiveness IL any other man is behind
the windpad
Seven Years With Pills.
the Philiies and in that time has devel-
oped from a mediocre pitcher to the
best in the land. Always easy to ham
die and willing to listen to advice. the
big Nebraskan rapidly developed, when
he started out to cut a swath through
the National League as soon as he be-
gan operations.
His pitching for the Phillies in the last
three years has been little less than won
derful In this stretch Alex turned in a
total OF 81 victories against IS defeats.
an achievement no other pitcher has made
In the last three years. His record for
the paet season was 80 triumphs and IS
defeats. he being the only pitcher in
either maj league to win 30 games.
During his rapid and successful stride
to the top of his profession Alex hung
up mark no other pitcher but Mathew
son was able to do, namely, have three
consecutive years In which he won thirty
or more games.
Judging from his work and age. for
Alex In only thirty years old. he has many
good years left In his mighty right arm
and this no doubt induced the Cubs to
bid high for him. Alex, however. 10 SUBJ
5ect to the draft. for he win not reach
his thirty-nfst birthday until next Feb
ruAry g.
Besides being a wonderful pitcher. Alex
IL no weakling with the stick. He won
many a game for himself by a timely
blow and few pitchers cared to see him
come up in pinch.