The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-08-24
Big League Gossip
CHRISTY MATHEWSON
Cincinnati 1>d

NEW YORK. y. Y. Aug. 23.-Thls IL
the season for rumors In oaseoali-
rumors Of changes Of ownership ana
managers Whatever may have TO
say Of ronovationS and alterations ID
based on these reports and not on DE-
finite decisions But such rumors ire
ouent1y contain a great deal Of truth.
hear there are two groups or men
trying to buy the Pittsburgh Pirates
probably as a result Of the poor season
in which tho club has INDUCED.
Should Mr.. Dreyfuss set out OF the
zane, baseball will lose a great char
acter and q man who has done much 70
make the Big Leagues what they are
today. Tho owner Of the >Pittsoufsh
club has been in It for years and mas
always been regarded as one OF tho h1-
lures Of the sport
B. On ball players and their records. ne
has always been a sort Of walking Car
neste Library. and he has kept cara
Inde. which will give the low-down on
every busher and near busher in the
country. On most Of them. he can fur-
nish YOU with the nosebag news with
out even referring to his records. mem
orizinK the figures much the same as
does a good tailor when he Is measuring
YOU for 8 suit Of clothee-or military
uniform. If he doesn't get chance 10
look a man up. he can generally tell you
something anyway.
How about Whoozthtsr you couio
ask Mr. Dreyfuss
.:He'd be a good prize tighter" he
promptly answers, but no bail player.
recall this as the case OF some
younxxter Fred Clarke had in MIND
looking over once. This prospect had
Also tried his hand at tho ring game
and had fought a couple OF oattiea
OF some one else, Mr.. Dreyfus says:
"Oh, he wouldn't make ball player.
Hes too small.
That statement brings to mind the
fact that Chris Won der Ahe' the ssea.
character Of the st. Louis Browns years
600 once turned down McGraw pc
cause he pronounced him too small.
Chrta went to take a look at the pres
ont boss Of the Gianty and inquired.
Nth his SIZE he could never stand up
under the strain Of Big League cam
paign. ,.-
declared Chris. and McGraw. one OF 'ne
greatest players ever developed "e"' VA
Baltimore.
night IN his Judgment. Few little men
make good in the Big Leagues on
hand can recall Keller. McGraw ana
5xach: also Miller Higgins who was
great little man but not as great a
tho other three. They were all stars
because they were quick thinkers Ho
were upholstered with nerve and game
sass. we're what we call baseball think
ers. r-.s..
:, provided Dreyfuss sells the P1raeeS
lack coombs might step in there as inc
manager. The rumors have men1loieo
him "a a possibility IN connection Win
q club or two. and he should naNe
-ood for no one knows the game any
better. I had talk with Coomos hoe
long ago.
I've got to quit pitching. Matty." ne
told me. 1T have made UP my nina
It Is seriously affecting my health.
DON'T feel right"
This statement from rs game man
rs Jack means he Ia through with ac'-
ice service on the slab
How as to Bezdek. the present man
aver Of the Pirates. From what ne
has told me. I have gotten the no'lon
he has taken the club to find out ~heth-
er he likes the job OF not.
"I had a fishing trip all planned ana
was about to start on IT when got the
wire from Dreyfuss Offering me the
position" said Bezdek to me In e1-
blaming how he happened to be hold
ing the helm. IT telegraphed back l
would have to consult my wife. did.
Then I accepted"
,'T But Bezdek is football coach at
heart. and don't believe he has mace
up his mind yet whether he wants TO
hold tho niche Of manager OF the Pr
ates. It Is a vastly different Job from
rehearsing an eleven.
In St. Louis there came to a rumof
that Hedges might get back into base
;baIr-that he was anxious to. IL ne
does Hickey would probably manage
1.-THE team. although Miller Fuggins has
-Idone wonders with It without any larEe
amount Of money to spend this season.
The Cards are trying things. are 1ull
Iof pepper. and lighting all the way. 1t
would Be q case Of relieving Higgins to
!Ko somewhere else-perhaps to the New
York Yankees
Higgins has always been great
friend Of Ban Johnson's. and Of course
the New York club Is the pet Of the
American League as well as big pro-