New-York tribune., 1920-02-26
Yankees Sign
Star BOxman
Takes Big Load
Off Little Hug
Miller, Southpaw, and MUIR
ply, Right-Hander, Cana
dians, Also Added to List
BY w. ]. Macbeth

Bob Shawkey, veteran pitcher strayed
into the Yankee Offices at high noon
yesterday and left little sunshine in
Miller Hugginss lum bago- -cloudcd life
by subscribing to 1920 contract The
midget manager also announced the
singing of two rookie pitchers-Ralph
Miller Il southpaw from Regina, Can
ada, and Chester Murphy, a right
handler, who was member Of the
Winnipeg club last season.
Higgins, by the way, intimated very
strongly after Shawkey had come to
terms that that little negotiation had
taken load off his back. It is be-
heved great many Of the clubs play
crs supposedly unsigned have either
lined up for the coming season or
have accepted terms. Shawkey and
Duffy Lewis were the only veterans in
whose opinions the Yankee owners
grossly underestimated playing serv-
ices. Lewis is evidently reconcied.
He is on his way to Jacksonville via
New Orleans and should be awaiting
the New York Americans when they
report for practice at their training
camp Monday morning.
A Willing Worker
For the last four seasons Bob Shaw
key has been the leading pitcher Of the
Yankees. He is one of the most willing
workers to be found in the game, and
barring the season of 1918, the most
of which he spent with an American
navy squadron in the North Sea. has
always ranked among the top-notchers
of the American League both in the
matter of effectiveness and in the num-
ter Of innings pitched Beside taking
ms regular turn Shawkey is invaluable
Tor relief duty. Most OF his off days
he spends in the ball pen.
The good faith OF Shawkey assures
Huggins wonderful pitching staff for
the Impending campaign Carl Mays
and Babe Ruth came from the Red
Sox under contract for 1920 Mays.
like Shawkcy, is an iron man. Ruth,
since he earned fame as a home-run
clouter. can no longer see the old
glamour to the pitching end Of the
sport. But he still is perhaps the
greatest southpaw living, and he is of
disposition that would readily re-
the box were necessary to the best
interests Of the club.
Thormahlen. the best young left
; handler in the league, is under contract.
Jack Quinn is also eligible. Even with
the staff mentioned Higgins could dis
count any other hurting corps in his
company. There is little doubt that
George Mogridge, willing southpaw;
Ernie Shore and the half dozen rookie
tossers will not only be in camp with
the early arrivals but battling for dear
life to make regular connections
The rookie pitchers. Miller and Muir
ply, whose signed contracts reached
Yankee headquarters Yesterday, were
crop Miller is big young kid, TWEEN
ty-one years of age. He is feet 9
inches tall and weighs 100 pounds.
Murphy, who is twenty three, weighs
16O pounds. He is 5 feet II inches tall.
The National Commission chairman
ship will be filled within the course Of
a week or ten days, in the opinion of
John A. Heydler, president of the Ma
tlonal League. Ban Johnson, president
OF the American League, was in confer
cnce with Mr. Heydler for several hours
yesterday, before he departed in the
earl y afternoon for Chicago. The two
major league presidents were in touch
with the local nominations for the of
hce, so that it was possible for them
to arrive at a definite basis from which
to work.
Boiled Down to Two
While Mr.. Heydler would not discuss
the situation. there is reason to believe
that the possibilities have been boiled
down from the original five submitted
by the Joint committee of two-Harvey
Woodruff, of Chicago, and one of the
three New Workers originally named
Mr. Heydler will visit Chicago within a
week, at which time the two major
league executives are expected to make
an official announcement.
Every one hopes for a speedy adjust
mcnt of the differences of opinion. The
office has been vacant since the Joint
meeting in Chicago, and during that
time at least two important cases have
eveloped which will require a decision
by August Herrmann's successor.
Messrs Heydler and johnson were in
touch with the Western Union relative
to contract for news distribution this
season. but were unable to act. "a the
members of the committees appointed
oy them had mot yet reported. Colonel
JACOB Ruppert, who is one of the two
committeeman for the American League.
mas been out of town all week.
The last lingering hope that John J.
McGraw might accompany the Giants
to Texas from this city simmered out
Win Win ms failure to return yesterday.
Inc vlce-president-manager has given
1he once no intimation of his route,
put 1T is now believed he may be max
ing water trip from Havana to New
Orleans: Charles A. Stoneham, it was
reported by Judge Frank McQuade. has
been IN Cuba several days to relieve
Mc1raw of the management of Ori-
entail Park.
Secretary Joe o'Bren awaits the de-
He is having difficulty securing acco,,, :
modations of the lower berth yar;et,
TOR all of the fledglings. 1t has been
necessary for the officials Of the Giants
because of transportation difficulties. 70
disappolnt number of the friends Of
the club who have been accustomed
annually TO partake of the training