The Washington times., 1917-01-03
As Soon as Old Fox Arrives
From Montana They VIII
Go to Players.
BOTH SIDES PROTECTED
Doubtful If Amy Athlete Will Re-
fuse to Sign Papers for
Coming Season.
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

The new baseball contracts, con-
sidered by some as sufficient to stir
up rebellion in the hearts of the play
ers, have arrived in Washington and.
as soon as Manager Griffith gets here
from his visit to Craig, Mont, they
will be sent out to those players not
under contract for 1917. The Old Fox
is due here Sunday.
Walter Johnson's wartime con-
tract another year to run, but he
is one of the few players now signed
for the coming season. Most of the
others will be required to attach
their names to fresh papers. In all,
only three or four of the Grinmen
are now under contract to the Wash
ington club.
The new form of contract, drawn
up by skilled attorneys in order to
withstand such assaults as those
brought by the Federal Leaguers, is
said to be fully equable, but assures
the clubs of their property rights in
the players. The reserve and ten-day
release clauses are in it, but the
player is given every protection.
1t is doubtful if any of the Griff-
men will decline to sign for the COM
ing year. Manager Griffith will Of
than one year.
Mercy Ii Optimistic.
Robert Mercy, vice president of the
Cleveland Indians, is most optimistic
regarding the coming campaign in.
the American League. He had a little
chat with Henry P. Edwards, CIeve-
land writer, the other day, and here
is what he said:
ALTHOUGH the American League,
and Cleveland in particular, had one
of the greatest seasons in its history,
I believe the 1917 Campaign will prove
even more successful. Last season
seven clubs were in the race. 1 figure
those seven will again be in the thick
of the Tight in II.
"cleNsland set the pace in 16 for
. sixty-five days. We will be right up
there as, long or longer in the season
to come. We will have a stronger
team, and barring accidents will have
considerable to say about the disposi-
ton OF the pennant. am not claim
ing the pennant, for there are several
otheF'teams as strong as we. But we
have. a well balanced outfit, and we
will be, better fortified in case OF acct
dents, for we are going to carry more
subs of ability than Ne did last sea-
son."
Indians Need n Few.
That the Indians need a few play
ers is. shown by those they have for
trial next spring. Third base seems
weak, and at least another outfielder
is a necessity. So, too, as last sea-
son, that twirling corps may need a
lot of bolstering before it can go
through an entire season.
O'Heill, DAILY, Deberry, and Billings
form a fair catching corps. O'Neill
does most of the work, anyhow, the
others merely filling in.
Morton, Bagby, Coveleskie, Klepfer
and Boehling will very likely be the
regular twirlers. In addition there
are Coumbe, Gould, Dickerson, Lam
together a capable staff out OF that
bunch, but that remains to be seen.
GandfI Sure to Stay.
Chick Gsndil is almost sure to stay
at first base for the Indians in 1917.
He led all the league in the field, and
hit well enough to remain on the job.
Louis Guisto, according to Cleveland
writer's last fall. was far from being
a big Lacquer. He was a~wonder on
American League. Guisto. despite his
booming. must produce the goods I'M
der fire to land a job.
Harris, from Chattanooga, is said
to be quite a first baseman, but he
has also played in the outfield. and
he may be tried out in that position.
Marty Kavanagh and Ray Miller, a
bush Lacquer, with Ivan Howard. are
available for first base, so Foil should
not worry much over that position.
Third Base a weakness.
Walter Barbara. former star OF the
the third base berth. Barbara was
up once before and failed miserabIy
as a batsInan. 1t is said that illness
handicapped him and that he should
he, better next season. II he is. a
weak place will be filled. for Joe
Evans, with all his speed and fielding
skill. is not a major league batsman.
Ray Chapman is booked for the
shortstop's job. That settles that
At second Bill Wambsganss and
Terry Turner are expected to battle
for the regular berth. Wamby is a
pretty good bali player and may beat
out the veteran, whose aged limbs are
filled with creaks and things. But
there viii be tussle.
Speaker strong PoUrr.
iris speaker is strong power for
evil against all competitors, and he
viii ofEeourse. carry the brunt of
the attack next season. On defense,
there are few better. middle feIders
so there isn't much more left to be |
said.
Eiraney is still a lively old fellow |
and good for a regular job.
Bobby Roth is a good bstsman, es-
prciaIly against southpaws, but he is |
not wonderful Outfelder, and he |
may have to share rightfield duties |
with some other player.
All in all, The Indians hardly look |
more formidable than they did last |
year. Their possible success seems |
10. hang upon what the pitchers do.
May Equal Cy Young.
SUncle Cy" Young. who closed his
diaYend career, few years ago, hung
- sos victories in the big show. He