The sun., 1919-02-04
ALEXANDER MAY Be
HERE FOR OPENING
Famous Pitcher Is on His Way
Home, Writes AL Orth, Who
Is Mt LibOurne.
ny FREDERICK @. LrEB.

Grover Cleveland Alexander. etsE
pitcher OF the Chicago Cubs. now serving
In the American Expeditionary Force
may be back In the States In time to
pitch the opening game for the National
League champions next April 90.
That the famous "Aleck" will soon re-
turn to American soil was indicated In q
letter received yesterday by John Heyd-
Ter, president Of the National League.
from Al Orth. the former National
League umpire. now a Y. NJ. c. A. secrs-
tary at Libourne, France.
Orth wrote that several big leaeuers,
including Alexander ana Sam Rics, ths
hard hitting outhelder OF the Washington
club. passed through Libourne on their
way home.
1t was generally understood that Alex.
ander was with the Army OF Occupation
and would not be discharged for some
time With Alexander back with the
Cubs next April the Chicago Nationals
may get full value for the celebrated deaf
they made with Philadelphia last winter
when Alexander and Killefer were pur-
chased for $4,000.
Alexander pitched only three games
for the Cubs last year but his club won
the league pennant without his services
Orth writes that he already is getting
ready for the coming baseball season.
I'VE expect an early spring and intend
to get into action quickly" wrote Al.
BASEBALL will go big hcrs now that the
boys have stopped fighting. already
nm fixing up diamonds and preparing
schedules. suppose will have my
hands full. as will be manager. coach
and umpire"
The former Yankee pitcher also wrote
he had son wounded on September 20
in the Argonne forest. Young Ortiz was
hot through the legs by machine gun f're.
The Yankees loboed two more names
OF their big pitching -taff yesterday
when Hank Robinson. tho lefthander.
ana walter Rernhardt. the University
or pennsylvania yourSster. received
transfers 20 minor league towns Rob-
'nson returns to Little Rock. Bernhardt
has been sent TO Newark
Harry Sparrow. the Yank business
manager. has heard from Walter Small.
wood. young Yankee pitcher who was
drafted In September. 1917. Smallwcod
expects 10 remain IN Europe for some
time He Is with an artillery replace
ment unit and in the near future VIII
join the Army Of Occupation.
Charley Comiskey, the owner OF ire
White Sox. lie trying 10 aid Miller Hur-
gins In reducing the Yankee pitching
roster, Comiskey has made a request TO
the National Commission TO reopen the
Jack Quinn case. "Commy~ says he has
new evidence which will prove coneIu-
sively that he had a perfect right to
deal with Quinn in person last summer.
Ban johnson. president OF the Amerf-
can League, has promised to present
Comiskey's new evidence to his fellow
commissioners.
The Giants receives yesterday the
contract OF Bill Ryan. the kid college
pitcher from Holy Cross. who Joined the
Giants last June Ryan 10 . big lad
and did splendid work In the few games
he played for McGraw.
McGraw LEFT yesterday .or the West.
He will 60 over the same route he tr,v-
e'led year ago when he called on AIT
Fletcher. Slim Sal,ee, Ferdie Schupo
ana other players In the Mississippi Val
ley. McGraw may also look up Whoa
BIZ Rariden Of Bedford, Ind, and ask
what re means by his re,iremeut
speeches.
Larry Kopf, the young shortstop pro.
cured by Brooklyn last week from Cir
cinnati in the Daubert deal. says tho
trade does not interest him. as he has
retired from base bail. and has no irter-
ton OF returning TO the game.
kopf did not play ball last year. A.
ter being "A holdout In tho spring IA
announced he rad retired, and msda
good his boast by refusing TO Join hi,
club. Later he WAS drafted into the
army.