The Washington herald., 1918-02-15

guts 10 date was IN evidence When
Stallings invaded the American
League headquarters. He made no
bones about being after Henry, and
was very glad to announce that he
had obtained him. when he finally
received the transfer of the big
catcher. The biggest obstacle was
easily oyercome-that is, the waiv-
ering Of a player of the value of
John Henry out of the American
League.
But Ban B. Johnson's crowd has
at all times been willing to work
together. and. as the Old Fox him
self puts it, was war time DEAL"
with the Nationals getting the best
of it,
There were no hooks or crooks
connected with the deal Henry was
sold outright, and the Old Fox in
tends to use this Braves coin in
helping him to strengthen his team.
Henry himself appears to be very
well pleased with the deal.
During the early hours today. he
stated that he. could better himself
in Boston both with his newly
founded paper box business, and in
the line of baseball.
Henry made the statement that he
would rather play ball for the Old
Fox for nothing than to go to some
other club without getting his price,
so there is not expected to be much
trouble going on between Henry
and Stallings in reference to sign
ing for 1918.
Grif did not let Henry go without a
great amount of consideration. The
big catcher ranks among the best in
the game. Although he has been a
poor hitter during most OF his career,
he Is still looked upon as one of the
greatest receivers in Johnson's circuit.
And 1t must have been that war
time stun which Grifr talks about
that waivered him out Of the league.
The getting Of Henry out of the
American League is a puzzle to most
Of the newspaper men and many mo-
guls here tonight. But, as a National
League pilot puts it, Clark c. Grifith
owns the younger circuit. In the let
fhing out of Henry the Nationals will
be weakened in the catching depart
nent, unless the Old Fox has some one
in view that can take the place OF the
big Amherst boy in that great trio OF
Ainsmith, Henry and Charity.
Johns many friends, both in Wash
lngtor and the other cities of the
american League, will miss him. Al
ways a good, willing worker, he gave
10 the Nationals the best that he had
IN him. and, as he is bettering himself.
every fan should be with him.
The American League voted to
pet aside a day on which 25 per cent
pr the gate receipts of all games
played will be donated to Clark
irifith's ball and bat fund. Presi-
bent Johnson was authorized to
name the date later.
st. Louis opens the season April
Is at Comiskey Park. Detroit opens
ht Cleveland. In the East the sea-
son starts a day earlier, with the
Mackmen in Boston and the Sena-
tors in New York. No long trips are
made for the early games.
Griffith is still in the field. This
Heal today has not benefited the
Nationals. unless the purchase price
was such a high one that the Old
Fox can go out tomorrow and buy
outright some star of either league.
iriffith today made no bones of be-
ng in the field for Fritz MaiseI.
The tip is out that the coin which
the Old Fox received on the Henry
1eaI will be placed into a deal which
hdlSel 10 the
and place either Morgan or Shaw
with the Mound City tribe.
The world Of baseball moguls to-
day shifted from the famous Pea
fock Alley" to the Horseshoe Bend"
n the Walcott Hotel. where the
american League went into session
II noon.
Ban B. johnson is known for his
speed, and IL was a speedy con-
Ference held by the younger circuit.
Outside Of appointing a committee
for the joint meeting tomorrow and
stating that they have adopted the
new prices in baseball nothing else
was given out by those that attend
I'd the session. The price of a s.
tent increase was made on all tick
PTS, It being claimed that the mo-
guls will give these extra few pen
hies to some worthy cause.
A big suggestion as to a worthy
cause was introduced by one of the
members to allow this extra coin to
go into Clark c. Griffith's bat and
pail fund. but no decision was reach
ID on where 1t will go when ad-
ournment was called.
Ban B. johnson was the same
pleasing mogul of old. and when it
ZONES to being an optimist, Ban B.
has Clark Griffith backed of the
boards. Ban predicts a great season
for baseball this year, but he will
not say just when, where and how
he big war will handicap or make
he national pastime.
johnson can see big league baseball
Eoing along at its same rate Of speed
hat 1t has in the past seasons, but he
ails to make any predictions on just
Then the war will be over.
No decision was reached at the meet
ng in reference to the military drilling
u the various clubs in the American
league this season. johnson says that
be desires to have each of the teams in
lis circuit drill. but that he had failed
% make arrangements with Adjutant
3en- Mccain, OF the United States
|rmy. in. reference to the appointing
|f drill sergeants for the clubs.
Grif has already gone the president
Pf the league one better, and admits
hat he has already lined up a dril
ergeant from one of the posts in the
Ficinity Of Washington who will 20
Fouth with the Nationals next month
drills are ordered by the president
y the circuit
The joint meeting tomorrow will
nd the committees working on the