New-York tribune., 1918-02-08
Miller Huggiins
Plans to Make
Haste Slowly
Says He Wants His Men to
Know That They Start
Even With Him
By Louis Lee Arms

From now on Miller Higgins will
make haste slowly. In league which
he never has followed to any great ex-
tent, and at the head Of team which
he never has seen in action, Higgins
indicated yesterday that he would adopt
"show nc" attitude and take naught
for granted.
Il nave never seen more than half
of the men it has fallen to my lot to
manage" said the Mite Manager. 81
want all of the Yankees to know that
they start even with me. My decision
as to what ball players will be retained
and used as regulars will be prejudiced
entirely by what | see of them after
we arrive at Macon.
Some of my friends whom l con-
sidered smart baseball men hold con-
flicting opinions on my ball club. About
half of them insist that my pitching
staff will not stand up under gruelling
tire. while others believe that the staff
warrants more than ordinary optimism.
Beginning to Slip
Some of my friends say my infield
has reached the age where it is begin
realm of possibility that 1918 will wit
ness the fall
10 offset this, others of our critics
believe the intield will be the salvation
OF the club, holding that Peckinpaugh
is capable of as great ball as he ever
played; that Pipp, with his added cx-
perlence, is now due to come through
hs hrst water star; that an improve
,o, ment IN Bakers game over that Of
l9io-l1 is to be expected, and that Pratt
Will give to the infield new confidence
and balance by plugging a hole that
has been source of worry for seasons
- Ihen | am told by pessmistic
friends my outfeld will never do and
mat L must build anew. Others believe
! have the nucleus for a clever hard
hitting garden. Myself, / believe moth
ing beyond that | will have more than
score OF ball players at Macon who
VIII be judged entirely on what thew
sr'o" me. 1t viii be an even start with
fairness to all. But until have seen
my men IN action it is hardly fair to
them or to me for me to enter dis
cusslon OF their possible futures"
1t IS believed here that Derrill Pratt
IN ms announcement from St. Louis
that he is holdout is attempting to
further the interests of his slander
sult against Phil Ball, owner of the ST
Louis Browns
Pratt has refused to drop this suit,
although lnportuned by many impor-
tant baseball men. 1t is possible that
ne believes the report that he had
signed with the Yankees would have
some influence on this case. At any
rate, he is a temporary holdout. In
the talk ne had with Huggins in St.
Louis he gave the Yank manager to
understand he was only too glad to
come to New York. 1t is understood
Colonel Rupert has offered him the
same salary he drew in St. Louis.
Pratt's holdout will not be taken too
seriously unless it continues after the
settlement of his case against Phil
Ball.
An invitation has been extended the
New York Giants to play an exhibition
game before the United States army
avlators IN training at San Antonio
Ihe military 5irdmen train at Kelley
Field in the Texas metropolis, and it
will be there that the. contest will be
played, as the invitation has already
been accepted.
Hugh Bezdek, manager of the Pitts
burgh Nationals, declares he will put
his men through a course of football
training next spring. He wants his
men to run around the bases without
being winded. AS a Chcagoan remarks.
it is first necessary to hit the ball some
place if a man is going to run around
the circuit.