The Washington times., 1918-12-24

Ernie Shore, the pitcher traded to
New York by the Boston club, comes
forward with a twist to his claim.
He says that, while he has no par
ticular idea OF rebelling, he should
be free agent because no contract
was rendered him by the Boston
club for last year. Under baseball
lava player not tendered a con-
tract before the beginning OF a sea-
SON becomes ipso facto a free agent.
1t would appear as IL Ernie had q
good argument.
Ty Cobb, in announcing his prob
able retirement from baseball, says
that he was given his release by the
Detroit club last September and that
he "supposes that makes him q free
6gent-" OF course, the Georgia
Peach is too experienced to "sup-
pose" anything Of the kind
Frank Baker, the Yankees third
baseman, is credited with a similar
statement, saying that his release
last September makes him a free
agent and eligible to sign with any
club desiring his services.
Hendricks Stfrs Trouble.
Jack Hendricks, who has been
kicked out as manager of the st.
Louis Cardinals, stirs up a bunch Of
trouble for the magnates by insist
ing on having his contract carry
on" for 1919. There are a number of
intelligent ball players watching
Hendricks case, and it depends upon
how that is settled as to what they
Will seek to do in their own cases.
Hendricks signed to manage the
Cardinals in 1918 and 1919. He was
released in September, the st. Louis
club acting on the ten days release
clause in his contract So far, SO
good But!-and this Is a big but"
too.-if Hendricks release Is good
under these conditions, why isn't
Player Jones entitled to the same
deal? Why is he to be retained by
a reserve clause in his contract and
Hendricks TO be released, despite
that reserve clause? go
The magnates know very well that
many of their players will watch
this Hendricks case for guidance in
their own troubles.
Magnates In n Hole.
To be perfectly frank, the mag
mates were in a hole last summer
and they haven't succeeded in crawl
ing out yet. Much depends upon
how they handle their affairs at the
joint session next month
Being compelled to close their
campaigns in September, the mag
mates released all their PLAYERS in
order not to be compelled to nav
salaries for five more weeks. Though
they have never admitted It, they
undoubtedly came to an agreement
as to what they should do if play
ers really considered themselves re-
leased
But the war ended too soon. Had
hostilities continued through 1919,
necessitating an abandonment OF
baseball under the work or night"
regulation. the magnates would have
fallen back upon the Government
order and would have put up a strong
argument, especially in the cases of
signed for 1919. They
could have pointed to Uncle Sam and
said in a chorus, Tell IL to himrT
This would have stumped Jack Hen
bricks. for instance.
Cardinals Must Pay,
With SO much at stake, IL looks as
IL the Cardinals would have to pay
his salary for 1919. II he
insists on the whole amount, he will
get 1t. However. being a baseball
man OF considerable experience, he
will probably come to an agreement
for q smaller sum.
II the st. Louis club insists that
was released last Septem-
Der. how can the magnates explain to
players also given their releases that
In their cases IL doesn't 60?
To save money last season, the
magnates took the bull by the horns,
but they are still in danger OF being
shaken on and sored. For instance,
Jake Daubert is suing the Brooklyn
club for i've weeks salary under his
contract II he wins. other players
IRE sure to make the same effort, es-