New-York tribune., 1921-01-25
Rabbit Wants
IS
Share of Money
Involved inDeal
Maranville Otherwise Recon-
:. ciled; Optional Agree
ment on Players Changed
By r. J. Kelly

ia By r. ]. Kelly
The first step in the actual promo
ton of harmony in organized baseball
since the new national agreement be-
tween the major and minor leagues
was signed at Chicago, almost two
weeks ago, was taken yesterday at p
conference in the local Offices Of John
A. Heydler, president of the National
League. Present nt the meeting were
Heydler, John H. Farrell. secretary OF
the National Association of Minor
Leagues, and George Wharton Pepper,
attorney for the National League.
The purpose of the conference was
to frame a new set or governing rules
that will bind both the majors and the
minors. 1t is expected these will be
announced WITHIN a few days. Thus
far it has been agreed that each Of
the major league clubs will be allowed
to farm out eight players each season.
for two years, on an optional agree
ment.
Farrell has full authority to act for
|AC iCdE uCo, lHCIuQlIR Luo AL
ternational League and the American
Association. both of which accepted the
new agreement but objected to the
drafting of players by the major cir
cults. 1t is not expected that there
will be any objection to the new set
OF rules on the part of the two Glass
AA leagues.
None cf the minor circuits objected
at the releasing of players on optional
nVfc ttn IL
but the Class AA leagues raised siren
uous opposition to the draft. 1t was
agreed that any leagues desiring to do
so might remain out of the draft, but
all except the international League and
the American Association announced
their intention of remaining in it.
Both Teams Benefited
An unusual feature of the latest
baseball trade, in which rabbit"
Maranville was transferred from the
Braves to the Pirates in exchange for
Southworth, Barbara. and Nicholson, is
that the fans of the two cities involved
seemed highly elated with the deal
And rightly so, because the trade
ought to prove of great benefit to both
teams.
Much as the followers of the Braves
regret to see the ever-popular Maran-
NiAiO tSaSS VIC A1uD, CuCy lSdllLc tildL
the Boston club wes sorely in need of
stronger outtield and that the acqui-
sition of Southworth and Nicholson
viii bolster the outer works to o con-
siderable extent. Southworth is rec
ognized as one of the best outfieders
IN the National League, while Nichol-
son also played great game for the
Pirates last season.
Barbara is regarded as a promising
young player and it is almost certain
that he will take the Rabbits" old
post at shortstop He did not get a
chance to show his real worth last sea-
son, as, he was handicapped by illness
and injuries. He took part in thirty
four games in 1920 and finished the
campaign with a batting average of
.274 and fielding mark of .923
Southworth and Nicholson will add
batting strength to the Boston team.
Both are good hitters and Southworth
led all the outhelders Of his circuit in
fielding last season with the splendid
average of 991 Nicholson ranked sec
on dto Rogers Hornsby in batting in
1920, but he took part in only ninety
nine contests.
rabbit" Fills Weak Spot
The one glaring weakness in the
Pirates defense last season was the
lack of another experienced infielder.
and it was this that prevented them
from making better showing in the
pennant race. as they were formidable
IN all other departments Of the game.
Ihls defect will be we'll remedied by
the coming of MaranviIle, long recog-
nized as one of the best shortstops in
the game
On the other hand, the Pirates had
superasundance Of high class outfeld
material, and the departure Of South
worth and Nicholson should not weak
en- their outer defense to any apprecia-
Die degree. The versatile George Whit
ted can now be shifted back to his for
mer post in the .outfield, whore he will
be teamed with Max Carey and Bigbee.
both players of more than average
ability.
AT first Maranvflle was not partfcu-
iar'y pleased with his transfer to Pitts
purgh, but he now seems reconciled to
the change in scenery. He prefers to
remain In Boston, bu. is willing to ion
his new team III things are fxed 10
sat,sfactorily by lCtn clubs" He has
ln.'mateo tnat no wants share OF the
purchase money.
according to a dispatch from Boston,
Fred Mitchell. manager of the Braves,
oeciared ehat no money was involved
tn the deal. Barney Dreyfus, presiden,
o. the Pittsburgh club. however. insists
ana ana' sum OF money. said to be so5.-
ooo' was paid to the Braves. in add;-
ton TO the three players. Georoe
Washington Grant, owner Of the Bos-
TON club left for Boston last nipht
~'tnout making any comment on the
srade except to say that he is we'll
pleased with it. WEI
me Giants are still trying desner-
ately to land another star injejder r.
team with Kelly. Bancroft and Frisch
and there is still a possibility tn, that
.-aranv'iie viii come to New YORK. in
another exchange of PLAYERS. pee ~
Gent Charles A. Stonehan Of the loca1
SUD Is still hanging around town 40, a.
IL sne nope Of putting through a deal II II
h hs more saan likely that a trade will
this week. "'"s 70 oooa
C,f m