New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-14
Solons
Worried Over
Effect Of War
Owners in National Seem
Divided Equally Between
Optimism and Pessimism
By Louis Lee Arms

II there is any inference to be gar
nercd from the National League meet
ing which has been concluded in this
city il is that the league solons them
selves are divided in their opinion of
the effect world war will have on
1918 baseball.
"Presuming that some OF the in
ternal dissension on the Philadelphia
club has been attributed to Killifer and
Alexander" said one authority, ait is
almost a certainty that President
Baker would not have disposed of this
battery which means thirty games
won 20 a team-unless he felt that
baseball profits were to be shaved to
the minimum in 1918.
with the Philadelphia Americans
tantamountly out Of the American
League race the Quakers have the
Philadelphia field almost TO themselves.
That Baker has foregone this privilege
is theoretically tip-of on his personal
views of major league baseball for
1918.
Split About $3.50
"The National League is split almost
fifty-ffty between the optimists and
the pessimists. Charlie Weeghman. of
Chicago, represents the incorrigible
optimist. He is spending money for
valuable players because he believes
there will be so much need Of mental
and physical relaxation in l9lS-when
the United States is really at war
that a psnnant winning ball club VIII
pay as big dividends as ever II did:
"Moreover, If there is discernible
let down on the part OF rival manage
ments. it will make the winning Of a
pennant that much easier for Chicago.
In other words, Weeghman now has a
big jump on his compeers.
'The best opinion expressed during
the league meeting was that, while It
was permissible to believe that 1918
would be a profitable baseball year, be
cause of the psychology of pleasure, it
would be well if the baseball magnates,
who must gamble on their publics and
nav The, bills if they lose, figured from
a rock-bottom basis.
"While the draft has injured several
of the clubs, it is. at least, a known
factor. and each owner has a complete
record of his clubs liability in this re
gard. There will lie some unexpected
equations in players who do not wait
to be called, but, speaking broadly, the
owner is aware now precisely the kind
OF team he will have in 1918.
Lop-Sided Races
"Tbe result of conflicting opinions
among the owners as to the effect oil (
the war on 1918 may be lop-slded races
in both leagues. Some OF the Amerl-
can League owners already nave
started to step from under. while Ma
tional magnateS are doing likewise
"Tbis will mean that the optimistic
hustlers will have the preponderanee
Of strength. and if they win and 1918
nroves to be a great baseball year they
will be hailed as wise men. II they
lose, the pessimists VIII DC shaklhg
hands with themselves.
"As affairs stand now. all the mag
mates wish to work in unison, but be
hind that it is obvious that each IS
banking on his own opinion Of base
ball and war. and his club IS beng
shaped after that conviction
Charles Herzog's ultimatum TO the
Giants is no surprise TO those who have
been aware Of the GOODNESS existing be-
tween him and McGraw since Herzog's
"vacation." But the thing that is apt
TO keep the pot boiling is McGraw.s al
legged statement that as matter OF DIS
cipline he would rather toss up the snip
than pay a player for the time ne
elected. of his own accord, to spend
away from his team.
Jacl; Hendricks. of Indianapolis, will
be in all probability the next manager
Of the Cardinals. There is remote
nossibility that Hendricks cannot get
away from indianapolis. in which event
Hickey will talk to Wild Bill Donovan.
There are several jobs Donovan
could improve" said a National Lacquer
during the meeting.