Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-23
kOpp Getting Solid


Merlin Kopp. the speedy little out
lelder' who came TO the Athletics in the
Boston deal. continues to win the conf.
dence of every one who has seen him
perform since coming down here. In
stature, kopp is built very much on
similar lines to Bennie kauff II is
hardly necessary to state that Mack will
he highly satisfied il Kopp develops into
the slugger that the little New York
Giant outfielder has shown himself to
be- In other departments of the game
we believe Kopp to be Kaulf's superior
lie is fiashy fielder and lightning on
the bases. Playing with Buffalo last
year he made other base.runners in the
International League look foolish by
stealing fifty-seven bases in one hundred
and fifty games.
In the same number of games he hit
.293. With this record as basis of
judgment, copbined with what he has
shown down here. Manager Mack is
pretty sweet on the youngster at pres.
ent. There is no doubt that he will be
retained as utility outfielder, and IL he
continues his present pace will make a
strong fight for a permanent position.
May Trade Thomas
There Is every reason to believe that
Manager Mack is trying to make n deal
whereby he Will dispose of the services
of Chet Thomas, the big catcher who
came to him In the Boston trade, but
VINO refuses to report. Already Mack
has obtained waivers on Thomas both
from the American and National
Leagues and, therefore, is in a position
to negotiate his services to any ma ior or
minor league club.
The lanky leader would like to get a
GOOD pitcher in trade for Thomas and IL
Is by no means sure that he will moi
effect such a trade with the Pittsburgh
club The latter Is In sore need of n
first-class catcher and would -jump at
the chance to get Thomas, who would
Undoubtedly strengthen the Pirates back
or the plate, provided they were not re-
quirtd TO give too much in return.
1t Is Up to Chet
Manager Bezdek has wealth of
pitching material despite his loss of
Pitchers Evans and M0lligan since com
ing here, both having been ordered to
report for army service. Bezdek un-
doubtedly would not think of giving up
but there Is little doubt that Mack
would be satisfied to accept a youngster
with promising record as a guarantees
for future development. Mack has no
desire to Keep Thomas from playing
because he refuses TO report to the
Athletics and has very generously en-
powered him to trade himself to any
club that is willing to give man of fair
reputation and reasonable value in re-
turn.
Bagby Too Expensive
The appearance Of joe Bagby, the
sterling Cleveland pitcher, who is a
hold-out. at the park yesterday inn
mediately led to the rumor that Mack
was trying to negotiate a deal for his
| services long conversation between
the two strengthened the report, but
Mack when questioned on the matter
denied absolutely that he ever thought
of trying to get the Cleveland star. while
Mack admitted that Bagby would mean
lot to him III a member Of the Ath-
letics' twirling corps, he said thai
Cleveland needed Bagby's services as
badly as he did. and II the pitchers
salary demands were too exorbitant for
Cleveland to meet 1t was beyond ali
reason to Expect that he could afford to
pay him the salary demanded.