The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-08-30

\ George McQuillan IL q hustler.
Ne stepped out Saturday and sold
Ben Smith to the Detroit Tigers
for $500. gratifying the players
wish to begin next season with a
major league club and swelling
the receipts Of the Rock Island
club treasury.
Il will be remembered that Nc
Qsillan negotiated the sale Of Leo
Dixon to the Giants while. the club
stopped in Rockford two weeks
ago The sale Of Dixon involved
$500. Selling two ball players
for 5000 speaks well for Nc
OUTLAWS managerial talent. It ia
the best coup of the year in the
Three-Eye league.
With Strings Attached.
Smith, like Dixon, goes up with
the understanding that II he fails
to make the American league grade
10 will revert to Rock Island.
The deal for Smith was closed
With Clarence pants" Rowland,
Detroit scout and former manager
, Of the Chicago White Sox. Through
his wide acquaintanceship among
tho majors. McQuillan learned that
Rowland would be In Chicago on
Saturday and that he was looking
for first baseman.
George knew that Rowland had
seen Smith perform eaylier in the
season before he broke his leg, SO
the new Islander boss left the club
in Cedar Rapids Friday night and
made bee line for Rowland.
Chance to Get Bonus.
Pants" was glad to hear that
Smith was physically fit again and
Immediately fixed the above price
Then he explained there would be
. possible chance Of getting more
for Ben IL he wins the fancy OF
Hughey Jennings. Harry Holman
the Detroit first sacker, is believed
to be slowing up and Rowland said
be had his orders to line up the
hest eveilable man to be used II
Heilman does hop.
With the exception Of Earl Wire
Evansville initial baser, Smith is
oil In class by himself as regards
}ths league. The Phillies. through
the recommendation Of Scout Jesse
Tennehill, have secured an option
On Wire. The other first basemen
IN the league WILL have to return
next year without . fling at the
big whirl.
Offered Pick Of Pitchers,
/ Rowland promised McQuillan
that be could have his pick OF sur
plus pitcrers as good measure in
the Smith deal. George will make
no selections at this time, being
content to wait until what next
season produces in the way Of tai
ent for the islanders.
HIS success In selling Smith for
70 fancy a price. and other assur-
ancss Of good will between Rock
Island and Detroit. so tickled
George that he went out to the
Cubs park that afternoon and
spent the game in the dugout with
several Of his old friendly enc
mics.
It was a great reunion for him
and Grover Alexander, his old
teawmate in Philadelphia. Nc
Qml!an was really a veteran in
point OF service when Alexander
was sold by Syracuse to the Phil
lies in 1910. and was one Of Charles
Murrays old standbys among the
Quakers. who assisted Alex to be-
come one Of the greatest pitchers
Of all time.
Almost Gets Alex-Almost.
When the old pals met on the
Cubs bench Saturday. Alex want
60 to know what had brought
George to town.
I've just come to look you
over" replied George; and for
several months there was quite o
mrore in the dugout. Alex &C.
eommodated George by banking
me Brooklyn Robins, 10.
After the game they carried the
noax to the clubhouse. where Part
Owner Bill veeck was drawn in
AeQuillan asked Veeck to put q
Price oE Alex.
Will you trade him for your
sslf!" laughed Veeck.
mo chancei Two cot IN mana Re