New-York tribune., 1918-02-24

you know. Therefore, until those play
ers who have not yet signed have
aligned themselves with my club I
cannot know definitely just where I
stand.
81 came back from Cuba earlier than
l had expected simply to see if could
not be instrumental in adjusting exc
listing differences of opinion to the
neneht OF my employers.
Il can say offhand that the hold
out situation within the Giant club is
no moro serious than it usually has
been at this season Of the year for
many years past. 1t always has been
the experience of cham pionship clubs
that they have had more or less
trouble in lining up players. Players
who figure on championship teams get
an exalted idea OF their values. They
look c. increases or bonuses as a just
dlvvy from the supposed profits of their
employers the preceding year.
There are several Giants who were
instrumental in qualifying for my team
for the last world series who believe
the salary terms of their contracts are
not so generous as might be, in view
OF last seasons successes. But none
OF these would | regard as a 'holdout,'
in the generally accepted term.
Il have had letters from all the dig
gruntIed ones. These letters, without
exception, incline ME to the opinion
that the players wish to be fair in the
matter. They think themselves enti-
tied to little more money than was
offered them. Existing differences
should be swept away when we have
mad an opportunity to discuss the sit.
uatlon from all angles"
To Present Full Strength
McGraw made no bones of tho fact
ehat ne Is anxious to present his full
Strength for the 1913 getaway. I'M
like many of the critics here and else.
where, he does not regard the National
League as top-heavy aggregation, in
winch GIANTS and Cubs are to have the
argument all to themselves.
thlnk my team will be quite az
strong as 1T was year ago, if not lust
bit stronger" said McGraw. Ger
talniy the pitching staff should be- inn
proved by the addition of Jess Barnes.
WIN Doyle anywhere near himself,
second base should be as we'll guarded
as last year, when Herzog was away
on his customary form. McCartv. r
Ieel sure, will be fit for heavy servics
behind the bat.
Yet you must not overlook ths
TACT that several other teams have
strengthened over winter. With Alex-
sander and Killefer, not to mention Tv.
Ter and Paskert, the Cubs are bouns
70 De worthy game for any rival. No.
1ody IS giving Cincinnati a tumble.
l mere IS pretty formidable aeerera-
,ion' can tell you. That team car.
les waliop, and you may depend
upon 1T Matty will have developed bet-
ter pitching than he had to stsrt -,
l9l1, especially if big Fred Tonev os
capes the draft, which now seems ce1.
tam. Jack Hendricks, smart mana
ger, mas the nucleus of a pretty fair
array III st. Louis. believe bot,,
~ : h,o'spurgh anf Brooklyn benefited by
Ine T trade THAI exchanged Mamaux.
eIlmes and Ward for Cutshaw and
,SIenSel. Under Robbie Mamaux ia
l.kely ry 10 prove another Alexande,
pliooh'yn - mad lot of tough luck in
'ne matter of sickness and injuries y
year ago @
No Runaway Race"
\, 90 not expect any runaway race.
.acura" concluded. II think If nv
''aitl .edtn escapes with the average cas-.
p..ty Io.ey Hst IT Will be able to repeat-
~ ~. ~ Strlkes me we will have a fight
on our hands all the way. To nv n,;rS
the National League Of 1918 will ILL., hoI
petter balanced than for some tina -
mat McGraw intends to specialize
on some young battery blood d,,r,n
,he spring stay at Marlin is evidencaS
Nv 'he TACT that two colt pitchers and
ii one rookie catcher have been signed
wienln W n the last few days. One of these
- q; Yoy Johnson, drafted from Joe Nc
or o-n''i.S McAilster club, of the West
with two no-hit games during the &c
son OF 1glI He is right-hander. as
Is also W. w. Hubbell. an Idaho nrod.
uce @ or the semi-pro variety. George
O!'Nelll, husky young catcher of t5e
81 LOUIS sand lots, Will also make tbe
trlp TO Marlin. Like many illustrious
Players OF bygonc age, he is a prod
ueg OF tho Kerry Patch.
ne presence OF johnson and HubbclJ
s.ouid a.. make McGraw forget the loss
OF Sterling Stryker, the Atlantic Hioh-
lands twlrler, who was farmed ont to
hochester last year. Stryker has been
io5t to the club through the draft Ha
IS MAKING an attempt now to be trans
terred from the army to the navy.
McGraw also Will be pretty we'll pro-
Vided with outtielders, irrespective Of
the fate of last seasons veteran trio
George Burns, all alleged hold-out, is
almost sure to return. Benny Kauff's
future rests with the draft. Rober+-
son, who has not signed. is also el;.
gible TO draft. Ross Young is expected
10 make some regular hustle for bis
outheld position, as he can take care
OF any outer patrol. There are one or
two other outfield products coming up
Tor examination. A new one has lust
been added TO the roster in Clarence
fltt, of Illinois. McGraw was inn
pressed by the actions of this young
ster last fall, when the New York team
was In st. Louis. He put the kid
through several secret practices at tha
nome OF the Cardinals.
Dummy Taylor, the deaf mute wha
pitched with such fine success for the
oldtime champion Giants, has written
McGraw beseeching a trial as umpire
IN the big show. The Dummy doubles,
would gain popular vote from those
managers and coachers against whom
the National League recently lcvolled a
bIoadsidc.
Tigers Sign Up Lefty" George
The Detroit Club is attempting to
bolster up its pitching staff by tina
signing of Lefty" George, the Colum.
bus American Association pitcher