The Washington times., 1920-01-16

able to save the team from last
place.
"As for me, get some bah players,
or have Johnson and some catcher
play the opposing teams alone (the
expense saved on seven men could in
few months, say by July, be uti-
/ lized in getting at least four or FIVE
more ball players and then two clay
| lotters would hardly be noticed)."
Now there's one fan with ideas.
They're a bit revolutionary, maybe. to
many, but he knows something about
what Chicago fans want and knows
that Comiskey would not have the
support Of the South Side were it not
that he has a successful ball club.
Sentiment Gets q waIIop.
Sentiment is handed a stiff waltop
in this letter from Il c. Kidwell, 1907
Nicholson street southeast:
Dear Sir:
after reading the several letters
in The Times Locking EN- Over COL
umn of January 13 in regard to Wal
ter Johnson, / would like to state
that l for one think it mighty foolish
talk about not patronizing or sup
porting the Washington club If they
trade Johnson. l am also great ad-
mirer of Johnston's, and know or be-
lieve that no better pitcher has ever
lived, barring none.
Still, l think he deserves to be
with a better club than the one ne
has been with since he started his
baseball career which I was fortu-
is great drawing card and also a
most valuable player at the bat as
well as in the box.
"But he cannot be in every game,
and I, for one, believe IT would be
to the betterment of the team If they
could trade him for two good
pitchers, two infielders, and s50,O00
cash. and I do not think the WASH
ington club would be bankrupt by so
doing.
81 say strengthen the team. regard
less of who they let go. Four good
men are certainly better than one,
regardless of how bright the star"
Sentiment Bad Thing.
Sentiment may prove a bad thing
when pushed to the extreme. 1t
might easily ruin a ball club, IL each
and every player would be retained
for sentimental reasons long after his
best days have fed. Mark you, John
sons best days are still with him.
| Today he might easily fetch an
even higher sum than that given for
| Babe Ruth.
With Johnson in the White SoX
| lineup, for instance, the Chicago
club might come close to coping n
couple more pennants provided
Comiskey might purchase him out
| right and not have to part with
| players. II compelled to give players,
the White Sox might be weakened,
| but tho Washington club might be
strengthened. thus providing a better
balance to the league.
In the past there has been alto
gcther too much sentimfnt among
Washington fans. Sentiment allowed
the club owners to buy all the ancient
wrecks in the league, players with
regulations and little else left Wash.
| ington fans seemed willing to sup
port the club merely for the alleged
honor OF having a franchise in the
American League. They would go out
to the park and think themselves
highly entertained when the oppos-
ing team was held to a small score.
Times have changed now, though
! Washington fans can no longer be
kidded In 1912, and for a year or
two after Clark Griffith introduced
Washington to winning baseball
team. The old stun will never again
make a hit. Now Clark Griffith, as
president Of the club, hopes to get
into another winning stride. He
should not be handicapped by any
| sentimental foolishness.