New-York tribune., 1917-12-16

DhEHs
.. As usual. the American League gave
the Yankees nothing more substantial
than the customary castor-oil smile.
Rupert is thoroughly disgusted with
Ms associates, but HugGins is still
hopeful of securing Second Baseman
Derriil Pratt from the Browns. One
Of the best offers ever made for an
individual player is hanging fire re-
garding this good infelder.
The original proposition presented by
New York was Maisel, Gedeon. Nuna-
maker and Fisher, together with a
bundle of cash presumably sl5,oOO),
for Pratt and Outfelder Bert Shotten.
Clark Grifith's big deal grabbed tina:
swap after the respective barterers had
hammered down their financial differ
ences to a mere matter of $4,000.
Another Blow to Colonel
The Philadelphia Boston swap WAS
another body blow to the hopes of
Colonel Rupert. He had been angling
/ for Outhe!der Amos Strunk since last
mid-season and had the promise Of
Connie Mack tnat the latter would not
dispose of this sterling athlete until
New York had had an opportunity TO
talk business. When Mack put in an
appearance in this city, however,
Colonel Rupert discovered that the
lean and Gispassionate Cornelius had
given an option TO Harry Frazee not
only on Strunk but on Joe Bush and
Wallie Schang in addition. Frazec ex-
ercised that option to the dismay and
disappointment of the Yankee bosses.
There is a great deal Of dissatisfac-
tion in the American League over the
fact that so many good players changed
clubs while New York was left out IN
the cold. 1t is felt in many quarters
that there was discrimination to a GER
tain degree. 1t seems that everybody
wanted a great deal more from New
York than from any other club.
The boys with something TO sell
seemed to think the colonel should go
the limit with his millions. But no
sound business man likes to play the
Sucker" even for pennant chance.
Rupert is a sportsman. he went quite
as far as any one could be expected
to go.
going to wake up TO the fact that 1t
means money for all to have winner
in the big town. For years the Ma
tional League has lived off the Giants.
al am disappointed more than J can
possiblv express" said President Navln
of the Tigers, that New York ala not
secure both Strunk and Shotten. ne
Yankees would be pennsnt factors with
two such outfelders. ! do not know
whose fault il was, but 1t was sau
mistake TO build up team as strong
as the Red Sox TO the disadvantage Oh
club in New York.
II have been praying for ten years
to see the Yankees get somewhere. IL
is to my personal interest, OF course;
But. even if Huggins is able to land
Pratt, in my estimation greater oppor-
tunities have slipped by
League DeplOres Trade
Aside from its general importance
relative to New York. the American
League as whole deplores Connie
Mack's big trade. 1t was felt that
William +. Baker had played right into
the hands of the Athletics by selling
his star battery-Alexander and KILL
fer-to the Cubs. Had the Athletics
held tight. il was believed, sentiment IN
Pbilade .phia would have fopped back
10 Shibe Park. In taking the money
when it was to be had, Mack put NM
self in the same boat with BAKER,
There was never anything, better
than a long outside chance OF the an
KEGS landing George Sisler, the H,s.
baeo phenom of the Browns. Slsler
ia an unusually valuable asset at TINS
nsrticnlar time. because OF the iact
tbot he is not likely to be drafted pc
fore the very last call, in spite Of ms
youth. Sisler is married and has sev-
eral Young, dependent children ne -
also The sole support OF his mother.
phil Ball might part with Sisler' buy
orI,. A. price that would make all
Tho other deals of this and the Nationsi
LEAGUE meeting look like joke. NO
LII but New York could afford 70
~, sucb a price as Ball demands
Fve, for New York IL would be a ddes-
tionaLle bargain, in view OF the pres
ent uncertainty Of the baseball slIua-
The ioint meeting here broke all
records for speed. There IS no posi-
bility of a hitch on any OF the various
nroblems confronting the game save
nossibiy Mr. Tener's scheme 10 arrange
"a new division Of the world series
spoils among players OF all ouV the
tailend teams of each major league.
Johnson and his associates belIeVe ],
Use 10 effect certain changes, and
would favor a system that put prem
iun on all first division bertns. lheg
/ feel however, that second DIVISION
I clubs should have no share oi the
I pool.
Joint Meeting Did Good
/ The Joint meeting, it is felt, resulted
in great good to the game. The TWO
/ biq deals, involving American League
nIevers. followed so quickly on that of
I Tho National League as TO impress the
r,aonates who had been shouting
/ calamity. More real money changed
/ hands over the bargain counter IN
three DAYS than had been spent IN as
many years before
Edward G. Barrow. lately resigned
az president of the international
League. arrived last night shortly be
fore the joint meeting adjourned. IL
was intended TO place Barrow at the
head of the American League, had
Jobnson resigned TO devote his entire
attention to Red Cross work. ban.
/ bowever. on an intimation from some
~ his club owners that he was with
drawing under fre-becsuse OF the un-
vsual difficulties 10 be met-has de-
cidod 10 retain the Office. for the time
/ at least. . -
There is a possibility. il is said. that
Barrow may associate himself with the
ned Sox. This is IA club which seems
pretty sure OF a pennant, especially u
the White SoX should lose Eddie Col
I tirs in addition TO the other veterans,