New-York tribune., 1918-03-05


pcckinpaugh, Outfielder Elmer Mill
were all made eligible for the bi-mor
result Of Huggins's personal initiatiN
Pcckinpaugh and Thormalcn capitu
lated after personal interviews with
the shrewd keeper of Yankee destinies.
They came from Cleveland and Balti
more, respectively, to press their
grievances. Peck arrived first, but
signed last. He engaged the new man
aser in a verbal bout of two hours in
the morning AMI when he knocked off
for lunch ne had been won around to
accept terms. The rest was simply a
matter of formalIty and trouble. Roger
came back in the afternoon to sign
before Huggins had succeeded after
two hours in pinnng Thormalen's
shoulders 20 the document. Pcck's
second call was the matter Of few
minutes only.
Vital statistics relative to possible
changes of salary, terms of inter-
est 10 these two cornered ath-
lctes. are. unfortunately. not forth
coming. From certain intimations
OF Peckinpausn, however. it is evil
dent compromise was effected
IN his case. Indeed the star shortstop,
inst before he signed, said the club
had agreed to the fair proposition OF
splitting the difference between it's
and his personal estimation of the
value of his services. Peckinpaugh
labored. and labored wholeheartedly
last year. under q wartime contract.
1t is not known how much was Topped
Off this in the original 1918 document
presented. The main point of interest
10 local tandom is the fact that Peck
Inpaugh appeared satisfied with the
compromised erms and will be willing
to give Huggins the very best that is in
him.
Aside from the salary question, in
which he appears to have gained at
least draw, Roger Peckinpaugh re-
turned home with added prestige and
distinction. Manager Huggins Informed
this most capable shortstop that he was
70 serve next year as captain of the
Yankees. The Yankees have been with
ont a captain for three years. Wild Bill
Donovan, whose regime closed with the
signing of Higgins, dispensed with this
honorary position
Miller Mails Contract
Outfelder Elmer Miller mailed his
signed contract to the Yankee Offices.
But here the cunning hand of Higgins
was again evidenced, for Miller, the
manager. had seen Miller, the hold-out
during his recent pilgrimage and talked
cold turkey in no unmistakable terms.
Strangely enough. Miller Higgins
seems deeply concerned in the fate OF
this same Elmer Miller. For in spite
York the Yankee leader believes he will
develop into a star of the first order
Elmer's New York experience certainly
has been a puzzle Nothing but acute
nervousness or state fright can possl-
bly, explain Away the difference between
his minor league and his major league
forn In the sticks he has always
looked like coming Ty Cobb and Irls
Speaker combined. With the Yankees
"shine" In the brush he usually hits
about 400 and in polite society closer
TO 0O4 Huggins has the audacity tc
believe he can elevate the young mans
major style to proven minor STANDARDS
Blue Monday came within an ace Of
guaranteeing to local fandom the three
bet shortstops of Greater New YORK
Ollie O'Mara forwarded his signed con
tract to the Brooklyn Dodgers. The
only fall down was in the Giant offices
No further word was forthcoming iron
Arthur Fletcher.
Fletcher, who. like his great short
stop rival, Peckinpaugh, Will captain
his team in 1918, is giving the Officials
Of the New York National League
champion little concern. 1t is believed
that he has practically accepted term
as a result Of McGraw's visit to him
McGraw, by the way, was reported II
Shreveport yesterday. 1t will not b.
surprising, therefore, if Poll Perritt re
calls his declarations of retiremen
within the next twenty-four hours.
Outfielder Davey Robertson seem
sincere in his announced retiremen
from baseball, for the season of 1911
at least. He made this fact very EN-
phatc in letter to friend IN NeN
York, written only few days ag
and after McGraw had been in commu
nication with him.
Robertson declared his decision I
retire was in no way prompted by an
salary differences with his employer:
Indeed, he intimated that the club ha
treated him as literally as he coul
reasonably expect.
kODDie 10 N&uit bdScDdii
81 have decided he wrote. "fo
reasons which concern myself only t
seek the quiet and seclusive life, q
least for the coming simmer.
aalary offer could tempt nc to chang
my mind. Writers who have insinua'
ed that this is but an annual perform
ance will find themselves badly mis-
taken long before fhc end Of the ne,
pennant race"
If Robertson IS really lost to tn
1913 Giants as now seems the cas-
there is little doubt that Ross Youn
will be given the right field patrol frol
tho start Of the season.
Captain Feckinpaugh of the Yankee
i in excellent condition to begi
spring training. He will report
iugglps in Macon, Ga, several day
in advance Of the second squad, tu
weeks hence. Peck has been railroad
ing all winter and is in almost as fir
physical condition as when the 19l
season ended.
The star Yankee shortstop declare
from Il lame back that handicappe
Him more or lcss throughout the sc;
sons Of 1916 and 1917.
Evidently Manager Ed Barrow of {!
Red Soz intends TO play Johnny Eve
At second base regularly. Barrow h;
lust engaged Dan Howlcy. former mai
agor Of Montreal. AZ coach for his clu