The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-07-26
SEEK old TALENT
Major Leagues Not Anxious 10
Get Youngsters Now.
Even Old Bobby Wallace Is in
Harness Again.
BY JACK VEIOCK.

New York, July 26.-Major league
magnates and managers are showing
a strong preference this year for bail
players with a past"
In ordinary times the big league
Iilots pay little attention to pill toss
ers who have seesawed back and
forth from the minors to the big show.
They usually break their necks bid
ding for the ''phenoms" who spring
up in the tall and uncut sticks, and
they have paid some fabulous rices
for this class of players.
But 1917 is no ordinary year. The
majors have been slow to sign young
sters and seemingly eager to jump at
the chance of getting players who
have had big league experience, but
who, because of age or some minor
defects, have failed to stick on big
time.
The recent signing of Bobby Wal
lace by the Cardinals is a most vivid
example of this tendency. Bobby
Wallace, the veteran of veterans; a
player whose name appeared in the
box scores before Lajoie broke into
! the limelight, is back again in the role
Of utility infielder with the Cards.
Jumped to Browns in 1902.
| His comeback marks fins to G. fif-
teen-year absence from the National
| league, for he jumped from the Car
dinals back in 1902 to cast his for
tunes with the Browns, who were
i making their first start in St. Louis.
| His long years of service with the
Browns and his ultimate release is re-
membered by all fans today. 1t
seemed only natural that Wallace
should step down and out, and when
he was made a member of the Wich-
ita western league) club the majors
bid him goodbye for all time.
But Wallace is back, and the own
ers of the Cardinals figure that he is
valuable asset, in which they are
more than likely to be upheld by his
work whenever the occasion arises to
use him in the lineup.
| The return of the veteran Wallace
reminds US of the fact that 1917 has
seen a number of players in the vet
eran class return to the big tent while
| hundreds Of youngsters are pining
their youLg lives away in the bush
leagues for a chance. Ping Bodie,
| purchased last winter from the San
Francisco club by Connie Mack, has
made good with a vim since his re-
| turn.
| Other Examples
| Harry Wolter and Charley Deal,
| brought back from the minor leagues
| by the Cubs, and Jim Thorpe. re-
called by the Giants and later sold
| to the Reds, are other examples Cy
F'alkenberg, the elongated pitcher re-
Gently given a trial by Connie Mack,
has failed to stick. but Old Chief Ben
| ger mas persuaded Pat Moran that he
is worthy of another chance, and Tom
Seaton and Phil Douglas, Cub pitch
ers, are making good after having
| taken vacation from the big league.
Perhaps the major 1eaguers will
stumble over each other in an effort
| to land few sensati, nal minor
league players this fall, but while the
season is on full swing they are TAX
| ing no chances. Pitcher Spike Con-
ley. of the Dallas club, and Charley
Hollacher, shortstop of the Portland
/ Coast league) aggregation, are two
players who have attracted the atten-
ton of the scouts, and both will be
purchased or drafted. Still, the old
boys must have their inning, and. as
we have said before, 1917 is no ordi-
| nary year.