New-York tribune., 1919-02-07
(mtfelder Announces He
Is Through With Base
ball; Holke May Be a
Brave
Bv w. ]. Macbeth

Tho first Jolt against the peace and
..;,;hrium of greater New York's pro-
~ major league life of 1919 was char
..,sr;zed by wild shrek IN the en-
s;,ons Of Bedford Avenue and Sullivan
street.. Flatbush, yesterday afternoon
yhen squre Charles II. Ebbets opened
latter in which was returned the un-
,;oped contract of outfielder Jimmy
Hickman
Nr. Hickman informed the boss of
The Dodgers that he was through with
the national pastime. as he believed it
wss 10 his best interests to pursue a
bnsjness career on which he launched
e. the close OF the last season and
which has since steadily improved in
oroft and opportunity.
The missive accompanying the un
sullied contract was not in the nature
Of the usual hold-cut threat. Hck-
man a business man, seemed to mean
business. And Charles H. Ebbets is
eonseouenty in despair For Hickman
vas not only one Of the pillars of the
cutfeld upon whom Uncle Wilbert
Robinson was banking heavily for
successful effort the coming summer,
hat versatile player as we'll, who
could fit into any infield position IN
pinch.
Fast on Bases
Hickman is a good hitter and a
pretty nifty sort of base runner, who
mas before him the brightest part Of
his career His loss would be a sad
blow, indeed, to Brooklyn hopes
1t is expected that Manager Robin
son, who is at Dover Hall just now, will
have q talk with Hickman before the
Dodgers go to jacksonville, Fla, for
spring training, to try to have the
young player change his mind about re-
trement. Hickman. however, has in
tmated that the salary question does
not enter into the calculation at all. If
anybody can bring the recalctrant
player into line the same is your Uncle
Wilbert Robinson.
Robbie, by the way, was very hope
ful of successful season in Brooklyn,
because of the fact that he will be able
10 present one of the most efficient
pitching departments in the big show.
ranked very strong. Of course. since
Robinson was last here Jake Daubert
was traded to Cincinnati, but in return
for fine shortstop (Kopf) greatly
tieded by the Dodgers. and an out
fielder Griffith, who, with Zach Wheat
nd Hickman, would have furnished an
! 1cellent trio.
lust what Robbie will do for a first
aseman he has as yet not made known
&ne Of the Brooklyn scribes are of
lie opinion that he will convert
&hmandt into a guardian of the first
! mrner. But Schmandt is really a sec
cEd sacker, and crack-a-jack, too. If
there is any other alternative it would
seem the part Of folly to experiment
with man who has proven his worth
at the keystone. especially as no better
player for the job is in prospect.
Holke on Market
II is generally believed, of course,
TN. John McGraw Will place Walter
ho'ke on the market, especially as it
seems surety that the recently exon
Grated hal Chase will come to the
ulants. But Just where Holke is to go
/! problematic. Relations between
Aessrs. McGraw and Ebbets have been
strained, to say the least 10. these many
years. And the strain was not i'm
proved SO the gossips say, when Eb-
pets at the recent joint meeting re-
irsed absolutely to listen to Macs
many overtures for the services of
Ike Daubert.
There is a growing suspicion, there
isfe' that Brooklyn would have very
Ahie chance to land Holke, who might
prove life saver with the Dodgers. 1t
Sfms far more probable that George
Malllngs, who has long cast covetous
.syes on the young Giant, will secure
hs player for the Boston Braves.
I'd Aonetchy has been slipping for