Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-11
CHRISTY SCORES
GREEDY PLAYERS
Says Pursuit Of Gold is Sapping
Likelihood of the National
Pastime.
FANS WANT MORE RIVALRY


Mathewson, new manager OF the Gin
cinnati Reds, has raised an interest
ing point in dealing with several of his
PLAYERS who want to be traded be-
cause they are unable to secure big
salaries from President Herman.
Matty says that base ball competition,
not mere exhibition of skill by men
who care little whether they win or
lose, is what is wanted, lie declares
that in recent years many players
have thought more about their SAL
aries than trying to put their clubs
at the top of the list, and he believes
that the public demands a return of
the old rivalry which formerly made
the national pastime popular all over
the country.
Matty, in recent interview, made
it clear that he wanted men who
would fight hard for victories from
the middle of April until the windup
in October. He pointed to the fact
that the public was tired of salary
holdups and Indifferent work by over
paid stars. He went on to say that if
the players could be made to realize
how much their avarice had injured
the sport they soon would buckle
down to honest efforts, with the idea
of restoring the game to popular
favor. He declared that the fans were
eager to see the major league teams
forget about fraternity relations and
that bitter rivalry would be generally
welcomed.
When Mathewson pitched for the
Giants he never shirked. He tried
his level best right up to the time
that his great right arm went back
on him. He never held up the New
York club for an unreasonable salary,
and his dealings with his employers
always were kept secret. In short,
Matty worked diligently to keep the
Giants in the running, and his loyalty
to the club and to the fans made an
idol of him at the Polo grounds. He
played ball with the proper spirit, and
naturally he believed that his meth
DDS should be employed not only by
the Cincinnati Reds, but also by the
players of all the other big league
teams.
Competition on the field is the life
of base ball. The public pays to see
games played by teams that are at
swords points. The fans have no
use for high salaried stars who do
not extend themselves. When Frank
Chances Cubs tackled the Giants in
days OF old the excitement was in
tense. The rival players bristled with
pugnacity They fought desperately
for every point, and the great crowds
at the Polo grounds went wild with
delight. Matty, who took part in
these memorable battles, is right
when he says that base ball should be
played under those conditions.
The players must forget the salary
question, also the practice of driving
high power automobiles and attend
ing tango teas. They are hired to
entertain the public with strenuous
work on the diamond, always keeping
in mind the welfare of their teams.
From the moment the championship
races begin the teams should cut out
the handshaking and the hobnobbing
with opponents and should fight for
victories at all stages of the pennant
races. Matty's words of wisdom
should not be forgotten.
1t is understood that way has been
found to settle the Baltimore Feds
100000 suit against organized base
ball out of court. The big leagues
are prepared to go to trial in April
unless the trouble in fixed up. When
peace with the Feds was declared
year ago organized base ball agreed
to pay more than 100000 to certain
promoters of the defunct outlaw cir
cult. These promoters, in turn, agreed
to secure the consent Of the Baltimore
Feds, but the latter we're thrown over
board. In view of the filing of the
100000 suit organized base ball was
advised by eminent counsel to with
hold payment and the money has
been tied up ever since.
During the recent schedule meet
ings of the major league in this city
the Fed promoters, who have not been
paid for their part of the settlement,
asked when they could expect some
money. According to insiders, they
were informed that it was up to them
to appease the Baltimore Feds and
that if the latter could be bought off
in some way organized base ball
would proceed to settle all claims. So
it is possible that the Wards, Swim
ner, Weeghman, Ball, Sinclair and
other former Feds will try to patch up
their differences.