The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-07-31
MAJORS SEEK OLD
TALENT THIS YEAR
Bio League Owners Fail to Enthuse
Over Youngsters, Preferins
Experienced
Players.
OLD STAFF COMING BACK
Bobby Wallace Back In Big League
After Fifteen Years Absence
Young Men to be
Drafted.
OLD STAFF COMING BACK

Major league magnates and manas
ers are showing a strong preference
this year for ball players with a
past"
In ordinary times the big league
pilots pay little attention to pill
tossers who have seesawed back and
forth from the minors to the big
show. They usually break their
necks bidding for the "phenoms,
who spring up in the tall and uncut
sticks, and they have paid some
fabulous prices for this class OF play
ers.
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.
Cardinals Sign Wallace.
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.
His comeback marks fins to a
fifteen year absence from the Nation
al league, for he jumped from the
Cardinals back in 1902 to cast his
fortunes with the Browns who were
making their first start in st. Louis.
His long years OF service with the
Browns and his ultimate release Is
remembered 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-
tia (Western league) club the majors
bid him good bye for all time.
Many Others Signed.
But Wallace is back, and the owners
of the Cardinals figure that he is a
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 number Of players In the vet
eran class return to the big tent
while hundreds Of youngsters are
LuelI lives away III Tie
bush leagues for chance. Ping
Bodie, purchased last winter from the
San Francisco club by Connie Mack,
has made good with vim since his
return.
New Youngsters to be Drafted.
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
Falkenburg, the elongated pitcher re-
Gently given a trial by Connie Mack,
has failed to stick, but old Chief
Bender has persuaded Pat Moran
that he is worthy Of another chance,
and Phil Douglas, Cub pitcher, Is
making good after having taken q
vacation from the big league.
Perhaps the major leaguers will
stumble over each other in an effort
to land a few sensational minor
league players this fall, but while the
season Is on full swing they are TAX
ing no chances. Pitcher Spike"
Conley Of the Dallas club, and Char
ley Hollacher, shortstop of the Port
land Coast league) aggregation, are
two players who have attracted the
attention 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
ordinary year.