New-York tribune., 1918-01-03

of equal worth to this city. On last
seasons form Roger Peckinpaugh was
the most valuable short fielder OF the
American League, if not in baseball
Certainly he had no superiors.
OF course. Higgins always has been
sweet on Doc Lavan, and the original
deal. which would have brought Lavan,
Pratt and Sisler here at the sacrihce
Of Peckinpaugh and several pitchers.
intielders and outfelders. had grea,
deal of merit on both SIDES. Lavan is
a youngster with his whole career.
practically. before him. Peck has seen
long service: He is at the crest, if not
already on the decline. When St Louis
parted company with Lavan it barred
the door TO Peckinpaueh. Still. il ap-
pears Ball will consider nobody else
when Pratt's name is mentioned
Huggins's hurried trip Eastward may
bear some significance to new angle.
That is scarcely likely. however as
the head Office might easily be consult
ed by telephone. ii any big trade were
IN prospect Huggins would naturally
stay on the ground, especially IN view
Of the present unsettled conditions OF
railway transportation.
From certain remarks Colonel Rup-
pert dropped yesterday it is doubtful
II anything short OF an opportunity to
corral Sisler would tempt him t. renew
amicable relations with the business
Office Of the St. Louis Browns For
Sisier the colonel might go a long
way. If Huggins cones with a tangible
scheme 20 net this first base pherom
he Will be greeted like long lost bank
roll
In Awkward Position
It is more probable that duggins has
III mind the serious work in hand which.
confronts him before the team leaves
Tor the Macon training camp. The mex
manager IS IN q somewhat awkward
position as he has seen none of his
men in action with the exception o..
outtieidcr Marsans. He viii have to
get a line on the rest OF them through
the dope and from the tips of loc4i
sharps who have followed the unhappy
fortunes Of the Yankees for the lasl
several years.
Higgins, too, Will have the last say
on the training schedule. lie has al
ready decided to return to Macon, Ga
but has not announced whether the
training course will be q long or a
H'io. NAc' IusSiHs VIII also prepare
contracts for unsigned players. which
/ documents Will be mailed within !.
week or ten days. There are few hold
overs among the veteran talent Of the
club
Secretary John B. Foster of tho
Giants mailed yesterday 10 the players
of the National League champions then
1918 contracts. a contract was mai Cd
~ hn o.,
list, with the execution of Captain
Charlie HerZog. Eerzog came from Gin
clnnati in trade involving Chris.y
Mathewson. AS manager Of the Reds
Charles Lincoln was working under 4
term contract which wiil not expire un-
I'll the end of the next playing season.
Mr.. Foster denied most emphAtincal. y
that New York was involved in any
four-corNered deal with Chicago, Pitts
bu1'gh and Cincinnati which had for it.
object the landing OF pitcher Al Nam
aux with the McGraw forces
II can state truthfuliy," said John g.
that so lar toe New York club has
not offered Z nickel for MamauN. d
no. say that Namaux might not appeal
20 Mr.. McGraw. Eur YOU may rest as
sured that if such is the case Pitts
burgh viii be consulted directly. There
viii be no beating around the bush.
Several clubs IN the league" he
continued ere trying to dispose OF
Herzcg. But Ec is still a Giant. So
far as I KNOT he is likely to scmair
not been placed on the market. Some
OF the Western clubs, evidently. are
attempting TO make capital Of New
( Iurk's PRESTIGE
Secretary Foster opines that the
ioiHt tour cf the Giants and Cleveland
Americans for spring exhibition games
VIII eclipse the successful financial
venture o. New York ana Detroit a
year AGO. He is being simply swamped
with requests for The appearance OF
these teams in the principal cities O,
Texas and the Middle West. The sci
diers Of military camps IN that section
Of the country are also imploring the
Giant management not to overlook
them. But there viii be lot OF dis
appointments, as the itinerary is al
ready determined upon and will not be
altered.
Presiden. Frank J. Navin Of the De
;roit Tigers has decided TO confirC
spring training to four weeks this year
The club viii report at Waxahach HE
Tex, or March 20. The Cincinnati
Reds Will leave Shreveport, La, il
tiinc 10 begin The Joint tour with tn
Tx, IS AZ Fort Worth, Tex. on April 5
he rest of the joint schedule l.: Apr
ana :, Oklahoma CITY: April 3. Tulsa
Okla: ADril 9, Muskogee; april 10
Fort Smith. Ark; Anril II. Little Rock
April II, Memphis. Tenn; April l3 ans
IA, Rediand Field, Cincinnati
In all probability Jennings viii hav.
his battery men report a. Waxahacni.
p week or zen days earlier than tn
date for general assembly
Connie Mack defends the sale o
Bush, Strank and Schang to the Re.
Sox. He declares the transfer Of thi
trio Of stars was absolutely necessar,
in the interests of harmony. as thel
had been dissatisfied with their sur
roundln&s last season. He scknow ledge
MS first mistake as leader Of the Attn
'etics not in the actual sale Of the play
ers in question. hut in breaking h
promise 10 Quaker fans that he woul,
ell no more star Aiack's only excus,
for disrega rdinr this promise is ad
vanced III The faci that no fewer tina,
fourteen Of his payer. havn Joined tn,
army through c'.he. enlistment o
draft.
Charles a Comiskey believes drml,
IN holding what he has. The owner O
the world champions viii not curtai
expenses on the training trim, at least
lie has made arrangements 10 leav,
Chicago for Mineral Wells. Tex. OF
March Is, and viii take at leas: thirt,
! player9 20 occuOr the attention q