The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-25

The old saying that ITS an III wind
that blows no one good" was never
truer than Just now In the baseball
world. The war which has depleted
the major league ranks Of many OF
It's young stars, has made-it possible
for fading veterans to remain under
the big league tents in 1913.
With the beginning OF every new
season there Ia a readjustment OF line
ups. Progressive managers always
aim to supplant the oldtimers with
speedy, brilliant youngsters. But this
year they are faced by the fact that
most OF their youngsters arc under the
standards of ths United States govern
ment. And so they must fall back
on the veterans who probably would
have been ticketed for the minors II
wartime conditions had not existed.
At least a dozen of tho veterans who
were figured a year ago as having
reached the end of their big league
string, are certain to retain their jobs
this season. Experienced ballplayers
ere scarce indeed. And 80 the man
ayers must cling TO all the seasoned
players possible. Best of all. from
the veterans viewpoint. the oldtimers
will remain in major league harness
ttLuSI thSy G&s1 @tVWco AZ ~ On
walk or until the war is over.
The recall OF the forty -two-year-oI
Ne poIeon Iajoie from the minors 10
striking illustration OF the present
demand for experienced players by big
league clubs. 1t ts the first time In
baseball history that Il man so old has
been promoted from a minor league to
major league playing job. Such a
condition never would have come
ebout had It not been for the extraor-
binary circumstances forced npon the
baseball world by war enl!stments and
the draft.
Cactus" cravath. OF the Phillies,
announced at the end of the 1916 sea
son that he was through with base
bail. But last year he was lured back
into the Quakertown harness All
through the year ne showed the effects
OF increasing age, He didn't hit with
the same power and the same fire.
Quency OF other years. He was slow
affeid and slower on the base. When
the 1917 season ended he declared
that he was going back to his home
in California ito stay"
At that time, the Phillie manage
ment was perfectly willing that
Cravath should retire. It had hope
Of finding a substitute for him among
the youngsters. But the draft claim
ed so many OF the brilliant "bushers'
that the hopes OF the Phillie owners
TT obably will not be realized. Right
now they are making overtures to odd
Wooden shoes to come back and re-
sumo his place In the right field gar
den.
Terry Turner has been playing In q
Cleveland uniform since 1904. The
Indians had secured a. brilliant young
ster to guard third sack. had the
wonderful Chapman at short and
Wambsganrs at second They had a
couple OF fast youngsters for utility
duty. 30 II looked In mid-seasoh Of
1917 as II Turner's services were no
longer needed. Then. of a sudden,
draft and eniistments shot the team
to pieces and now Turner will be well
coined with open arms as a regular
for the 1918 Indians.
The Boston Braves decided last sea-
son that Sherwood Magee was "all
through" They let him go TO the
Reds Soon after the 1917 season
was over report gained circulation
that Magee had been released; that he
had slowed up so much he no longer
was OF value But Of sudden, one
learned that after the draft took from
the Reds many OF their best young
sters. that sherry" had been retained
and would be an outfield regular in
1918.
1t wouldn't be bit surprising If the
Pirates or some other major league
clubs which had lost a number of the
infeld youngsters. influenced Hans
Wagner. old and gray though he Is. to
resume operations for just another
season or two. The Flying Dutch
man" announced last season that he
never would play ball again---but he
still loves the game. And II isn't hard
to lure anyone so constituted back
again to help the sport In time when
veteran help is needed.
The Cardinals have pitcher who
started in the game something like
fourteen years ago. He In Leon
C"Red') Ames. He no longer possesses
the skill of his youth; some OF the
power has gone from his whip. In
any other time, II Ia possible that the
big league curfew might have sound
ed for Amos. But not now. The ST.
Louis club owners are clinging to him.
They need him.
And so II IL all through the major
league ranks. Every club that has
veterans on its star feels itself fortu-
nate. And avery ysteran an hfc