The Washington times., 1917-09-14
CHICAGO CUBS TO WIN
FLAG If COIN COUNTS

Fred Mitchell and his Cubs mean
to make a battle for the National
flag in 1918. President Weeghman
has informed Mitchell that the
purse-strings are loose and that any
player who promises to make good
in the big show may be obtained,
no matter how high the bidding may
go. Chicago just must have a pen
nant.
Thus far the largest single outlay
by the Cub capitalist has been the
purchase Of Turney Barber, outfield-
er, from the Baltimore International
League club for a price said to be
SIS, 900 in cash, which makes Bar
Der the highest-priced in honest-to-
goodness mazuma Of this year. Most
Of the large wads supposed to be
paid for ball players are found, upon
examination, to consist partly of
cash down, partly of cash to be paid
If the rookie makes good, and partly
Of other ball players whose value is
estimated in dollars and cents as an
element in the bargain. Barber, goes
the story, is q straight cash buy.
But Barber is not the only heavy
investment for the strengthening of
the Cubs. Leslie. left-handed FIRST
baseman from Waco. Texas, and
Walker. a pitcher from New Orleans.
are said to have cost somewhere be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000 for the
pair. and some $500 or more was
paid for Charley HolIocher. a phe-
nom who has been shOrtstoppIng for
Ore.
These are the principal outlays for
the Cubs, but there Is the usual lot
OF less known talent. and still more
money will be spent in drafting
bushers of divers sorts. IL is a big
OF spending upon which
the Cubs are now engaged, and 1t
should bring results. The men for
whom these small fortunes have been
invested have been approved by the
best sort OF judges. and II they do not |
make good II will be the worst kind |
Of hard luck.
MerkIe Il Slipping.
1t will be noticed that the Cubs have |
plunged on a FIRST baseman named
Leslie from Waco. The reason is that |
Fred Merkle seems to have blown |
as a batter. When Brook
ly sold Merkle to Chicago early this
season there was a roar from the
Brooklyn fans, as II left Brooklyn
without a substitute for Daubert. Also
L was contended that Merkle was an
.ven better outfielder than first base
man, and could play other positions.
Events have justified the sale, Merkle
las been a bitter disappointment to
he Cubs OF late, and all the talk IS
hat he will not be with the Cubs next
reason.
Charley Hollocher, the POI tland
lid. is expected to come through as
shortstop. and in that event Pete
<ilduff, whom the Cubs obtained a
month ago from the Giants. will be
moved to third, suppIanting Charley
Deal. who has been hanging on
argely because there was nobody to
axe his place. Chicago fandom and I
A1NDhlA iliNA1s aiN pltdhGl Win !
he sprightly conduct OF P. KIIdufr
nd count upon him landing a regu-
ar berth somewhere in the inheId
Larry Doyle Is figured to remain at
econd for the Cubs in 1918. but Doyle
admittedly slipping and is looking
round for a Job as manager in the
liz show. Larry has recently been
oreIy afflicted with Jaundice. a most
ahi1ff faffnR nIlnnanf DArr. I =
elder. who was a whale at short in i!
he early part OF the year. and then ,
Jumped. Is second baseinE for Doyle. =
elder should be the utility man next :
Jason.
Workman Doomed.
II Hollocher delivers the goods and s
oyle plays second, with RIIduff on
iird, More Expensive Bill Workman,
ie shortstop bought by the Cubs last \
ear from the bush for a supposedly n
Ibulous sum which was never veri-
ed, will probably wend his way back d
} the sticks. Workman is much like
erber, the Columbus shortstop re-
'ntly sold to the ST. Louis Browns;
ID who was once with the Pirates
9th are clever fieIders and fully ca
Lble Of holding their own as defen-
We players. but neither has ever
Zen q reliable hitter in the minors
Id each has failed entirely as a hit.
r In the majors. v
Leslie Mann, mighty useful out q
'lder. left the Cubs when they were F
BROOKLYN last week to become one u
the physical instructors for the
oops at Camp Logan. near Houston, h
~. That leaves a place for Barber, b
10 Baltimore buy. Barber, on his II
'pe, Fred (Cy) Williams, Max FIack Ia