The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-10-02
Big League Gossip
CHRISTY MATHEWSON
OF Cincinnati
New Giants Manager Cincinnati Rods

, an assured fact that Hug will succeed
Bill Donovan.
understand Hugs ability TO develop
young players is what impressed the
New York club officials. Colonel RGp-
pert says he has his ill Of investing in
high priced stars. lie has determined
ITO develop a winner himself. md, 10
that end. has organized corps OF
scouts To find the material In its raw
state. And if he gets Higgins. lie will
have man who can do the rest.
Higgins was Il smart player himself.
and he has record Of accomplishing
big things un slender resources. FOR
years he went along in 81. Louis with
no money to spend. but, when the club
changed hands last year and progressive
! business management was Installed.
lIugginS began To show results. I have
heard that he has been offered the
management OF four different Gibbs.
The fans in St. Louis are for him, and
possibly he may remain there. but 1t is
"a cinch that the ST. Louis owners must
come across handsomely If Hug is to be
retained.
have often heard It said that friend
illness between players on rival teams
is not relished by baseball fans and that
there Is too much union" sentiment to
suit those who like scrappy ball. And
have even heard 1t charged that players
who argue on the field are only acting.
] do not encourage handshakinE tactics.
and neither do I believe in rowdy. ball.
but. when anybody tells me that base
ball Is pink tea affair. l have to
laugh.
You remember the trouble Ty Cobb
had with the Giants down south last
In c 81
still raging. It Is so much on the level
that a second spring series the Giants
and Tigers were TO play next spring.
has been called Off.
After. these two teams split even in
twelve games last spring. McGraw and
Jennings agreed 70 come north together
over a different route next spring. But
understand Cobb vetoed the PROPOSE
ton rs far as he Is concerned. Cobb
less series was out Of the question. and
now it looks ns though the Reds would
: meet the Tigers next spring.
Frank Navin. president Of the Detroit
club talked this matter over with Mr..
Hermann at the draft meeting last
week. | understand tho Reds md Tigers
Will get together as soon as they finish
training. and play about ten games as
they work their way north.
Tho practice of sending out worlds
series Scouts" seems to he dying out.
II is a question as To whether pitcher
can learn much about strange batsmrn
by watching them from the GrandStand.
md anyhow the champion teams do not
extend themselves late In the season
unless they have TO battle for the pen
mint right up to the finish.
hnvn given prospective worlds
series opponents the "once over" from
the erandstand, hut I gained more In
formation by casual inquiry than l did
by using my eyes on mixed iinr-ups In
which few Of the regulars appeared.
John McGraw never believed In those
preliminary locks. l Imagine thht ne
considered such attention an admission
Tint he feared the enemy. McGraw, lH
n great believer In meeting emergencies
rs they arise and not worrying about
them before they come up.
MrGrnw is go we'll vcrScd In hasebnli
strategy that he doesn't require any
time to figure out a plan or action or
move Ia counter un enemy thrust nc
has always relied on his ability TO apply
sound Judgment on short notice. ooupt