The Washington times., 1918-01-23
PLANK CLAIMS HE WON'T
SIGN WITH YANKS' CLUB
By LOUIS A. BOUCHER.

Just as st. Louis was settling
/; down to q belief that Fielder Jones
would have the markings of winner
and New York was shaking hands
with itself over the acquisition Of
Derrjll Pratt to plug that hole at
second base and Eddie Plank to
paralyze the opposing batsmen, the
aged southpaw farmer from Gettys-
burg, Pa, steps forth into the lime
light and hurls a deadly bomb into
the metropolis and the Mound City
with one single fling. Plank says
he won't play with the Yankees.
81 said last summer when / qui5
in Detroit that 1 was through for
all time" says Plank, "and ! mean
it. If my refusal to sign calls off
the deal between the Yanks and
Browns, l am sorry, but l cannot
help it."
Now for the business" OF rushing
about to obtain Plank's signature by
the Yanks in order to make the big
trade announced yesterday stick for
the coming season. Now for the
business" OF gentlemanly modesty on
the part OF Plank, of reluctance to re-
turn TO the diamond. of finally yield
ing to the Establishments of Colonel
Ruppert's pocket book and then some
body in New York will play Bright
en- Up the Corner" and Miller HuggIns
VIII forward TO Plank one ticket for
Macon, Ga.
Plank Hates Money.
Eddie Plank hates money with all
the hate Of a Pennsylvania farmer.
He has been in baseball some eighteen
years and his original nickel is said
to be buried somewhere on his farm
in Gettysburg. When the emisssry
from the Yankees approaches him.
Plank will wave him away with his
right hand and summon him with
his left. Eddie is a southpaw.
Unless some arrangement has been
concluded by Miller Higgins for the
substitution of another pitcher for
Plank in the event of the latter's TN
willingness to sign, the New York
club will go through the same old
stun. II will raise the ante little
by little until the veteran hurler be-
lieves he has tested its patience -
the limit Then he will slowly admit
that "mebbe the old soupbone is good
enough for just one more season. But
/ won't promise a thing for 1919"
This may be expected to happen IL the
deal hinges on the delivery of both
Pratt and Plank.
On the other hand, II Higgins made
allowances for backwardness on the
part of Plank. some other lucky chap
Will be enabled TO escape from the
OF Sportsman's Park for the
greater liberty Of the Polo Grounds
and heatless New York.
Another Way Out.
There is still another way out
When Washington made its deal with !
Bobby Quinn. business manager for |
the Brownies. each team was to stand |
or fall on the trade as made. II
either side failed TO obtain the players |
Included In the trade. that would be |
hut have no effect upon |
the trade, II the Yankees concluded |
such deal. Plank's announcement |
will have no possible effect upon st. I
Louis. except to bring out a few
laughs. New York will be holding 4
the bag. The Yanks will have Pratt |
and an effort facing them OF signing |
up the veteran southpaw.
Even IL Plank does decide 10 re-
turn to the diamond for another sea
son and the shekels given for such !
endeavors, the Browns seem to have 4
been benefited most by the big deal. /
At most the Yanks get a second base
men that Jack Barry turned down
when Frazee suggested going after
him and a southpa'w pitcher whose