New-York tribune., 1918-01-04

being disclosed these drear, drab days
of financial difficulties. How rener-
ously the club treated Big jeff in the
matter Of stipend can only be conject-
ured. Certain under officials were of
the opinion that he might give some
trouble, an intimation that carried in
sinuatlon of neavy slashing of his pay
cheque. 1esreau, like others, had
every reason to expect a startling cut.
for he had just fulfilled wartime
contract Of three years duration His
pitching the past two seasons did not
measure up to the standard of remu-
neratlon received.
Aside from the moral influence Tcs-
reau's action may have toward bring
ing other Giants into line, the New
YORK champions have achieved a fine
strategic move. It is quite true that
lesreau, during the past three cam
palgns, fell far short of the form that
characterized his brilliant work in the
successful pennant' fights Of McGraw,s
teams IN 1912 and 1913, or even again
IN l914 (the best season Of his career,
when the locals trailed the Braves to
the wire. McGraw can i'll afford TO
lose right-handed pitcher Of Tes-
reau's 'n-and-out ability, as displayed
during the span of his wartime con-
tract. Such as he was, Tesreau Of late
has been outranked by only one rival,
Poll Perritt. The only apparent weak
moss of McGraw's champions lies in
the right-handed department of the
pitching box. His three southpaws
copped the flag in 1917.
Giant in 1910
Tesreau broke in with the Giants in
q 20 Nf l,.t
to Toronto, being recalled in the fall
of that year. Wilbert Robinson devei-
oped the big fellow into regular the
next spring. In 1912, New York's sec
ond consecutive pennant winning year.
Iesreau won seventeen and lost seven
games. He helped win third straight
pennant in 1913, with twenty-five vic
tories. az against thirteen defeats In
1914 Tesreau had his big year. He won
twenty-s1x and lost ten games. But
both Mathcwson and Marouard cracked
under the strain after McGraw. in late
July, appeared to have the pennant
cinches. Boston, after mad rush
through August caught the Giants on
Labor Day, and thereafter drew away
to brilliant victory, and even a more
brilliant success Of four straight VIC
tories over the Athletics in the world
series.
The Federal League was in the field
at this time. Tesreau's wonderful
work attracted the attention of Gill
more. The outlaws offered Big JEFF
every inducerent to desert organized
baseball. 1t was this tampering that
secured for Tesreau his three-year
contract, completed last October.
With his immediate future assured
by an ironclad contract, Tesreau fell
off in his work. In 1915 he won only
nineteen games, as opposed to sixteen
defeated. His record in 1916 was eigh-
teen won and fourteen lost. Unofficial
ly, last season, with an unbeatable
club, Tesreau scored only thirteen vic
tories. He was beaten eight times.
May Be Great Help
There is no reason why Tesreau
should not be a great help to the
Giants this year. He is strong as q
gorilla, and is in the prime of hi:
manhood. He will not be twenty-nint
years Of age until March !. next
Doubtless Tesreau, like many other un-
thinking players, was the victim o!
easy life. He should come back if he
. applies himself to the task lie ma,
do so now that he will again be shoot
ing at new contract for 1919.
Ray (slim) Caldwell, the prodiga'
sun VI tic IdnEceS, Is WlUleTluS II
, town, and wintering we'll. Ran across
him on Forty-second Street yesterday
"Huggins in town YETI" was his
greeting. "Im ready to engage him II
debate, for, you know. this zero ,weath.
, Ell, while pleasant, makes no big hi
with me. | wish we were leaving fo,
Macon tonight"
Caldwell always has been a serious
problem, and he is particularly mys-
terious as to his life in the big cit,
this winter. He appears to be in fine
physical condition and wears weathe,
tan that suggests life in the open.
"l've never met Huggins," said Slim
y but Pm told he is Il square guy l ses
reports where | am to be traded. I like
New York. of course, but wherever
am think I can give pretty gooe
account Of myself. | never felt better
Any club that will give me couple o.
runs will come pretty near winning"