davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
YANK STARS DELAY IN
SIGNING CONTRACTS
Higgins Finds Few of Regulars Have Returned Docu-
ments to Club-sent Out Few Reminders

New York, Feb. 6-Secretary Harry
Sparrow of the Yankees started for
Florida yesterday where he will try
to regain the health which he lost
during the last few weeks of New
Yorks frigid weather. With Sparrow
gone, Manager Miller Higgins took
up the reins of government and dis
covered that he was without a ball
club. The Yankee players have been
more backward than ever before
about returning their contracts, which
were sent out several weeks ago, so
the new Yankee leader spent the day
sending out letters reminding his
slumbering talent to get busy and in
vest a little in pen and ink and post
age stamps.
Only a few of the players on the
New York club have holdover con-
tracts and, while there have been no
definite cases of holdouts, no contracts
have come in from the regular play
ers and it is getting, along close to the
time when Higgins must complete his
arrangements for the spring training
trips. Just why the Yankee players
are so tardy about signing this season
| is difficult to understand. 1t is be-
ieved that some of them are waiting
| to see if they will be taken in the
draft.
Higgins stated that the only con-
tracts which have been returned were
from a few of the recruit players, but
no information has come from New
York headquarters about the docu-
ments which were sent to the regular
players. Manager Higgins stated
that he was glad to get the services
of Paddy OConnor, to act as coach
for the young pitchers. O'Connor
takes the place which was held under
the Donovan regime by Duke Farrell.
| O'Connor was coach for Huggins's
players in ST. Louis in 1914 and before
that he did similar duty with the
Pittsburgh club.
Sentiment among the other man
ayers in the American League shows
| that they regard the Yankees a far
more formidable club than last sea-
son. The acquisition of Higgins as
manager and of Derril1 Pratt at sec
ond base will work great change in
the club. Manager Clarence Rowland
of the champion White Sox is of the
| opinion that the Yankees will be an
| important factor in the race this sea-
son.
LAS far as the Yankees and the
Browns are concerned" says Row
land, "both teams benefited in their
recent trade If Pratt considers the
surroundings congenial at New York,
as he SAYS he will, the Yankees will
he greatly strengthened. He was dis
satisfied with the Browns, but should
be useful to Higgins. I consider that
both clubs were helped by that trade.
1t would not surprise me to see both
Maisel and Cullop come back and do
| good work in ST. Louis.
| 1.-THE Yankees are likely to make a
| lot of trouble for the rest continued
Rowland. 'eThey now have a finished
| infield with Pratt at second. Their
outfield might be better, and undoubt-
e1lv will be before Huggins starts the
season. Higgins is already very
strong in pitchers and the Yanlzs will
be a. bunch to look out for."
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
FAVORITES ADVANCE IN
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT
Meet With Little Opposition In Invitation Tourney at
Heights Casino-Mss Bjurstedt to Play
Champion of Norway
When
= Pop
Gets
a
Haircut.

= New York, Feb. 6-There was little
to ruffe the even tenor of the
women's invitation tennis tournament
at the Heights Casino in Brooklyn yes
terday. Mrs. Johan Rogge, the latest
Morse comet, who set tennis followers
agog by her victory over Miss Marion
Vanderhoef' on the opening day, sat
idly by yesterday and watched other
tennis players win their way through
the second round. For the most part
they accomplished this with surpris-
ing ease. In fact there was not
single match of the afternoon which
was carried beyond two sets and in
most instances the scores were one
sided. For instance, Miss Molla Blur
stedt, the most prominent contender
in the event, had nothing more than
a practice spin in bringing about the
downfall of Miss J. Brown, the latter
winning only one game in each of
the two sets. #tsa
The nearest approach to a surprise
that the day furnished came when
Mrs. de Forest Candee triumphed
over Mrs. Theodore Cassebeer. The
latter has been one of the formida-
BILE contestants in many tournaments
hereabonts, and that Mrs. Candee
could defeat her at 6-1, 6---3, was a
bit unexpected. This was also true of
the victory which Mrs. w. II. Pritch-
ard scored over Miss Jane Rowson.
The score of this match was "a,
6-3.
Others who came through the sec
ond round were Mrs. David C. Mills.
Miss Eleanor Goss, Mrs. Rawson l..
Wood and Miss Florence Balm. Mrs.
Mills earned her advance by defeat
ing Miss B. HARDWOOD at Go, Ga.
Miss Goss' defeated Mrs. Albert Hum
phries, at GO, 6-3, and Mrs. Wood
tpiumphed over Mrs. E. V. Lynch at
g., GO. The victory of Miss Bal
lin was secured at the expense Of
Mrs. Percy Wilbourn, who was fore
ed to give way before a score of 81.
Go.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
RUPERT MISSED
BIG CHANCE IN
SISLER DEAL

A Washington writer severely pans
the New York Yankees in connec-
ton with the Pratt deal, for not also
grabbing First Baseman George Sisler
when Phil Ball of the Browns pre-
sumably was in a mood to make a
deal. Commenting on the worth of
Sisler the Washington critic says:
Colonel Rupert is reputed to be
worth close to $3O,0OO,OOO. Well, if
he's worth only half of it, or a third
of it or only one million, he ought
not to have hesitatede ven one second
about turning over that $4,000 that
would have made Sisler a Yankee.
Sisler is the coming Ty Cobb. He
would have attracted that $4,000 to
the gate before Labor Day all by him
self.
Ty Cobb has been the American
Leagues peerless star for ten years
He has made a fortune for the De-
troit club. He has made a modest
fortune for himself, too, by the way,
most of which he still has, about SO
per cent of it, if what's said in De-
troit and Augusta, Ga, be true. No
other player not even Eddie Collins,
begins to be the attraction that Cobb
is for the Detroit club. But Ty is
aging. The end of his career is even
now in sight. He cannot go on for
ever.
Aside from George Sisler, no other
American League player shapes up as
a possible successor to Cobb, Speaker,
Eddie Collins, Joe Jackson-that trio
are about as old as Cobb and cannot
go much further. But Sisler is a
youngster, with his future all before
him.
If the New York club really had a
chance to obtain Sisler, that is, if the
Browns were not kidding, and Colonel
Rupert backed up when it came to
passing over $4,000 along with five
players. then the Yankees have no ex-
cuse whatever for their present weak
ness afield. Their supporters have no
possible excuse for continually whin-
ing about the lack of encouragement
given the club by the others in the
Johnsonian circuit.
If Colonel Rupert chung to his
$4,000 and let Sisler go, then he
either took the worst of advice or he
deliberately passed up a chance for
the pennant, and deserves no SYM
pathy whatever.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
HICKEY DEFENDS
BAN ON TRICK
PITCHING

President Tom Hickey of the Amer
lean Association announces that be-
fore the season opens he will call his
managers and uInpires together and
school them in observance of the new
rule against trick pitching and he
thinks he can so hammer the lesson
into their heads that there will be no
trouble in enforcing the rule and no
efforts at violation of it. Says Mr..
Hickey:
ct am going to tell the managers to
start in with the training season and
tell the pitchers that the spitball
movement simply will not do. It's
simply up to the hurlers to break
themselves of the habit or quit the
league. 1 don't think that the latter
alternative will be necessary, with
his bread and butter depending on
breaking the habit
Mr.. Hickey predicts that the spitbaH
will be legislated out of existence in
the next few years. He has received
a number of letters from baseball
men throughout the country pralslng
! the A. A. for it's move against the
damp delivery.
Predictions that the rule will be
hard to enforce are scoffed at 10y Mr..
Hickey, who says that his ump1res
will be on the job to detect any in
| fringement The first offenso will cost
the pitcher $25 and the second VIOLA
ton will start the unfortunate to the
bench. Those prophets who say the
winged balls and those damaged
from contact with the stands or other
objects will serve the purpose of en-
cry balls and file balls, are answered
by Hickey in this wise:
"An umpire looks at each ball that
has been fouled against stand or
other object and examines 1t for
flaws. He thus can prevent the re-
| turn of a ball to the game. An UNI
pire also can judge by the course OF
a ball whether or not it has been
tempered with. Emery and spitballs
take perceptible jumps, and II such
A. ball is observed by the umpire he
will examine it and throw it out II
damaged.
There's no getting around this
fact" concluded the A. A chief
when an Association pitcher makes
q good showing next season he Will
be much sought after by the Dig
league owners, who will know that
the man really possesses native aoll-
itv and is not getting by on trlckery
and deception. Consequently A A
club owners should realize good sums
from the sale of such genuine pitching
stars"
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
10 HIN Is BODY
LAID TO REST
AT BOSTON

Boston, Feb. 6-Final tribute to a
great champion was paid today when
the body of John L. Sullivan was bur-
led in Calvary cemetery. In the
crowds that lined the snow filled
streets as the casket was borne from
the home of Sullivan's sister, Mrs.
Annie Lennon, in the RoXbury dis
trict, to st. Paul,s church, where the
funeral mass was celebrated, were
scores of children bidding farewell to
their big "paI.'' For them the tales
of his prize ring days were legends.
They remembered him best as their
big pal, whose watchword was cour-
age and who RECALLED them with stories
of kings and presidents he had met.
All day and evening, notwith-
standing the bitterest weather of the
Winter, stream of persons passed
through the Crescent on which the
home of Sullivan's sister, Mrs. Annie
Lennon, is situated, and where, in a
coffin broad as a bed, the huge frame
of the mighty fighter lay as if asleep.
There were those who fingered in
sadness. Conspicuous among them
was James ]. Corbett, the man who
wrested the American championship
from Sullivan at New Orleans in 1892.
Corbett will be one of the pallbear-
ers. Many other figures of national
prominence in sport will attend the
funeral today. Jake Kilrain, defeated
! by Sullivan at Richburg, Miss, in
1889, in the last and one of the great
est fights conducted according to
London prize ring rules, will come in
| from Woburn to pay final tribute to
| his conqueror.
William Muldoon, the veteran train
er, will be an active pallbearer. The
others are local men, friends of the
champion and of his near relatives,
who now include only his sister, her
husband, and their eight children
William Kelly, boy recently adopt
ed by Sullivan, will be the only other
close mourner. Sullivan will be bur-
| led beside his second wife in Calvary
Cemetery. Requiem high mass will be
celebrated at 10 a. m. in st. Paurs
church, Roxbury, by the pastor, the
Rev. Peter C. Quinn. The church car
hold only about 1000, but the mem.
bers of the family opposed the idea OF
more public funeral
The honorary pallbearers will be
James M. Curley, now ex-Mayor Of
Boston; Corbett and Muldoon, Police
Captain James P. Sullivan, Daniel J
Mcdonald, Edward M. Curran, Viii
liam Hogarty, Clarence W. Rowley
John MahondE and Fire Chief William
j. Gaffey.
The ushers are Henry Blackwell
John J. Mitchell, United States Mar
shall Daniel ]. Sullivan, Lewis R
Sullivan, William L. Hogarty, Jacl
Sheehan, the boxing referee; Geroult
Savage Miah J. Murray and John
Taylor, former President of the Boston
American League Baseball club,
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
CALLAHAN WOULD
TAKE ON HARTLEY
Sporting Editor

Sporting Editor
Dear Sir: Reports here state that
Willie Jackson will not meet Pete
Hartley on February IS at New Ha-
ven. frankie Callahan, the real
lightweight contender, will be glad to
substitute against Hartley on Febru-
airy IS, provided of course that Gala
han is acceptable to Hartley. In all
probability Hartley will pass up q
bout with Callahan as has Dundee,
Jackson, White and Leonard.
Callahan has beaten Jackson deci-
sively in a six round bout at Philadel-
phia and Jackson has since refused
every offer to box frankie. Leonard
fought and lost several decisions to
Callahan and while they have been
matched several times, Leonard al
ways called off the bout. However
Leonard has been fair enough to ad-
nit that he considers Callahan his
most dangerous rival.
If Hartley, who has fought Gala
ham, does not want to meet him
again. then frankie is neady to box
any lightweight selected by the pro-
motors.
Yours very truly,
DAN McKETRICK.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
Brooklyn Angling for
Maisel to Play Third
Robbie Wants New ST. Louis Player But Waiver Rule Is
Sure to Keep Him in the American League

New York, Feb. 6.-Wilbert Robin
son, manager of the Brooklyn Robins,
is quoted in despatch from Balti-
more as declaring that he is trying to
land Fritz Maisel, erstwhile Yankee,
from the Browns to play third base
for his team.
Il have been trying for some time
to get Maisel,'' Robinson is quoted as
saying. 'I am very sweet on him.
He was of no use to the Yankees af-
ter Baker came to the club and his
being used in the outfield did him no
good. But he is one of the cleverest
third sackers in the business, and
above all he is a run getter. He can
get on base nearly as many time as
Ty Cobb can and is only second to
Cobb in beating out inield hits, as his
record with the Yankees, when he was
at third base, will prove.
81 am not saying for certain that I
will land him. Third basemen are
scarce and the Browns may not care
to give him up. But I am making
every effort to get him, and President
Ebbets of the Rroollyn club is ready
to make a good bid for the player"
Then Robbie goes on to say that If
he gets Maisel his infeld will be Dau-
bert, Olson and Maisel on the bags
and Ward at shoTtstop.
Even if the Browns were willing to
give up Fritz, which they probably
are not, what are the chances of
Maisel being waived out of the Amer
lean League? None. The White Sox
would want him-they tried to get him
last year-and the Clevelands, shot tc
pieces by the draft, with only the vet
eran Terry Turner on the hot corner
would never pass him up. Neither
would Clark Griffith, and even Connie
Mack would not he aversa to getting
a real ballplay yer.
1t looks as though Robinson, if he
is correctly quoted, is enumeratins
unmatched poultry.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
Y.M.C.A. TO SEND
BASEBALLS TO
SOLDIERS

New York, Feb. ct frequently
has been said that baseball follows
the flag, but few fans have any con-
ception of the preparations being
made for the baseball operations to
be waged by Bakers half million in
France next spring. From all present
indications within a few months the
whang of the bat as it comes in con-
tact with the ball will echo and re-
echo around the Lorraine sector and
other points to be taken over by our
troops until even the Huns will be
affected. They may be prompted to
retrieve some of the home runs but
to the wrong side of the trenches.
In addition to the extensive base
ball paraphernalia sent to the Ameri-
can troops by Clark Griffith of the
| Washington club through the Griffith
Bat and Fall Fund, the Y. NJ. c. A.
also is keenly interested in seeing
that the baseball needs of Uncle Sam
| contribution to the allied forces are
well taken care of.
Nothing ever indicated what a fac
tor baseball is in the american army
as the fact that the Y. NJ. c. A. War
Work Council last Saturday placed an
order with Alexander Taylor & Co.,
Inc, 42nd street and Fifth avenue.
for 1880 dozen Taylor league balls, or
| 59,76O baseballs. This number would
indicate the Americans intend to use
| the horsehides for ammunition in
| their drive to knock the Kaiser out of
| the box.
The order is the largest single base
ball order ever placed. Special pre-
parations must be made in packing
these balls so that they will not be
affected by dampness and special tir
cases will be constructed by Alexander
Taylor & Co. for the purpose.
UNLESS the new submarine drive
succeeds in bagging the ship contain
ing this baseball ammunition, it will
be in the hands of the American
troops about the same time as the bis
league clubs will start training in the
South" said Mr.. Taylor yesterday
THE first big shipment sent across by
| Clark Griffith is now resting on the
bottom of the ocean as a result of the
sinking of the Kanawha, but we hope
to meet with better luck
The baseball plans now being made
|
show what a great stimulus the wal
is giving to baseball. Whatever tenn
porary loss the magnates are suffering
now will more than be made up b!
the renewed interest when the war i
, over. 1t frequently is said that ever.
J American boy plays baseball, Blu
. young men who had been drawn ava.
, from baseball for other sports agai1
have been weaned back to it through
their connection with the army.
, If the war last long enough tn
! American army may convert the en-
tire French nation to baseball. TIL
French kiddies near the American
camps have taken it up with the rea
French vigor, and many of them al
ready are quite proficient at tn
American game. The American arm
: in Cuba brought baseball into the is
land, and today it is played by almoS
cherry boy in Cuba all the year rount
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
Talk Of Sports

Of course, you all know - -
The well known third basing fence
breaker;
Though it seems he's lost pep
He still has the rep"
That he made when he played as a
Quaker.
ONLY twenty-five players going to
the training camp with Clark Grill
fifth. Four of Fred's men are in the
army, five will be canned or turned
back to the minors, and gee, won't
the rest feel lonely during those long
nights.
Pat O'Connor, former catcher of the
St. Louis Nationals and Pittsburgh
Federals, will coach the Yankees, sue
ceeding Duke Farrell. O'Connor
acted as coach of the Cardinals m
1914 under Higgins.
Salt Lake City fans are hoping that
Joe Gedeon will be sent there from
the st. Louis Browns. Joe started
at Salt Lake and starred there. Salt
Lake is also expecting Yankee
pitcher in part payment for Harry
Hannah, the young catcher who goes
South with Miller Higgins next
month.
Speaking of cuts in salary, there's
Walter johnson, who will have to come
down a peg in the matter of the size
of his weekly pay envelope. It's tough
Walter, but war is war.
Johnny Bates and Bob HaSbrook,th the
former a veteran outfielder and the
latter member of last years Chicago
White Sox team, have signed up with
Pat F1aherty on the Mobile team.
They ought to prove a considerable
factor in the standing of that club next
season
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
Y. M. G. A. WRESTLING
MEET THURSDAY

The Y. M. c. A. will open wrest-
ling contest for members only on
Thursday, Feb. Il, at p. m.
P~i7os will be awarded. Those
classified will be chosen to represent
the W team for the next meet with
Ansonia.
The boys have been training for
sorne time and as usual very good
men will be seen in action. The con-
test will be held in the new gymna-
sum.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
CARRY HERMANN
OPTIMISTIC ON
OUTLOOK

Baseball is in for a big year, thinks
August Hermann, if conditions in
Cincinnati are any criterion. "An
illustration of what may be expected
in baseball this coming season is af-
forded in Cincinnati" Hermann said
in discussing the subjsct.
"For years it has been a custom in
Cincinnati for people to give their
friends as Christmas presents seats
for the opening game of the season.
The sale this winter has exceeded that
of any for a number of years, since
1912, in fact, and may be regarded as
significant, considering that these are
war times. Interest in major league
: baseball generally was we'll main
+ tanned last season, in view of the I'M
settled condition due to the entrance
of this country into hostilities, and
/ by spring I look to see the country ad-
Just itself to more nearly normal
basis.
"I do not anticipate that the gov
eminent control of railroads will OPP
crate to interfere with the conduct
of the pastime. 1 am confident the
authorities will adopt a reasonable
attitude in regard to baseball, and it
is assured that those running the
game will do everything in their pow
er to tighten the burdens of the
transportation lines. The abolition
of the large number of trunks usually
carried by every club will be one way
of doing this. All of the Nationa
League clubs and those of the Amer
lean League, too, 1 understand, will
require their players to carry theil
own uniforms. They will practical
ly be obliged to, for no team coulC
afford to run the risk of being with
out uniforms owing to the failure o
~ hzs-age cars tc arrive in time. II
the light, steel cases available for the
purpose, the uniforms, shoes and al
accessories for the playing field cal
be carried without inconvenience t.
= the players.
Another saving that will be effect
ed by the clubs this year is in tn
matter of players carried on trips. In
stead of a manager carrying from 2
to rs men around the circuit all sea
son he can limit his squad to only tn
is or 16 actually needed and leave tn
others at home subject to call at an
time should something develop t
make their services required
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
Lawn Tennis Star
Now Bank Teller

~ anita Monica, Cal. Feb. g.
Miss Mary E. Brown, the
~ woman national lawn tennis
champion in 1919, 1913 and 1914,
has accepted position as teller in
a bank here and announced yes
terday that she would not again
compete in championship lawn
tennis.
Miss Brown returned to the
courts last year and more than
held her own with Miss Molla
Bjurstedt in a number of matches
for the benefit of the Red Cross.
In fact, she was generally count
ed the best woman player in the
country although the national
country, although the national
held.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
AsTEY TO BOX O'KEEFE.

Joe Jacobs, manager of Dave Astey,
is confident that Dave will score a
decisive victory over Eddie o'Keefe
at the Olympia A. A. in Philadelphia
next Tuesday night. Jacobs is also
on the trail of Herman for Astey, and
announced that he would post a for
felt of $1,000 for a bout with the
champion to go as a side bet in
20-round bout
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
VETERAN BOWLER DEAD

Orange, N. j.. Feb. 6-William
Henry Nichols, who at the age of
eighty-two years was Captain of the
Thursday Night Bowling club and a
charter member of the South Orange
Field club, died today at his home,
No. 10 Watson Ave, East Orange.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
DOGS RACE IN SOUTH.

Pinehurst, N c., Feb. 6-The open
stake which brought Pinehurst'S first
field trial to an end yesterday. a.
tracted a high class entry. Bud
Wicker's setter dog, Spot. took the
first, the second going to P. L. Blows
Dolly Patch, and the third to Major
]. S. Browns pointer dog Frank.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
YALE SAVING FUEL.

New Haven Feb. 6-In order to
save fuel Yale cancelled its basket
ball game with the Wesleyan team.
The swimming meet with the mem
bers of the College of the City of New
York will be held as scheduled on FRI
daY
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06
.3-CUSHION TITLE
STAKE TONIGHT
At CHICAGO

Chicago, Feb. 6.-AIfred De ORC OF
Cuba, champion, and Augie Kieck-
hefer of Chicago will begin play to-
night for the world championship at
three cushion billiards. Forty per
cent. of the proceeds will go to the
American billiard players ambulance
fund. Fifty points will be played each
night for three nights.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-02-06

Not one of the ten recruit infielders
that the Pittsburgh Club took South
last year will be on the spring train
ing trip of 1918. Eight fell by the
wayside and two Joined the army.