New-York tribune., 1921-02-23
for Racquets Title-New Candidate Ou
McGraw Trying to Plug
Gaps and Capture Pennant
Leo Kane, Infielder From
Eastern League, Signed;
Rapp Gives Promis c
By w. !. Macbeth

A combination of circumstances over
which he had no control blocked John
]. McGraw's way to a pennant in 1920.
So far as possible, the Little Napoleon
has prepared for the removal Of ali
obstacles against October's cleaning in
1921.
It is true that last year McGraw's
veteran pitching staff failed to live up
to expectations. But the hardest blow
of all was the injury to Frank Frisch
almost at the start of the season. Had
Frisch been with the club all season
there is little doubt the Giants might
have come through, with something to
spare, ever though there was one other
gaping hole in the inield throughout
the entire campaign.
Yawning Abyss at Second
This yawning abyss was at second
base-the patrol Of the veteran, Laugh
ing Larry Doyle. To plug the gap
McGraw made half a dozen futile at.
tempts, offering weight in gold un-
heard of before in the history of the
game. 1t was with view of qualify
ing for the last srorld's series McGraw
offered $25o,o00 cash for Rogers
Hornsby, of St. Louis, last August
This winter he renewed the bid for the
champion hitter of the National League
shattered all records twice over. 1t is
generally supposed that the Yankees
paid $4,000 cash for Babe Ruth. For
Rogers Hornsby McGraw offered
S250,000 cash and three veteran play
ers. These players would have been
worth, at the least calculation. more
than $4,000. st. Louis's answer was
that if Frank Frisch were to be SUP
stituted for one of the players named
the Cardinal management MIGHT con-
slider the offer seriously.
For about the first time in his life
McGraw has been baked in an effort
to secure a coveted, ready-made ball
player. The leader of the Giants has
always been shrewd enough to sense the
trend of the times. And he appears
among the first to realize a new era
has come in where club owners must.
develop their own talent. Financially
the game has grown to such business
proportions that even the weakest clubs
dare not sell players of established
worth.
The second division clubs of both
leagues are out to build up-not tn
tear down. Ruth may have furnished
the object lesson. The great revenues $
| reaped by the Yankee Colonels on this
particular investment opened the ewes
OF the magnates. Good PLAYERS are no
longer for sale.
Battle of Five Youngsters
Having tried in vain to secure sea-
soned successor to Larry Doyle, who
| will manage the Toronto club Of the
! New international League, McGraw
seems determined to develop young
ster in the quickest possible manner.
he will take to San Antonio no less
than five second base candidates. These
are Rapp, Monroe, Gross. Grimes and
Kane.
Kane, who answers to the name of
Leo ", has just forwarded a signed
contract to Secretary Joe O'Brien. He
was purchased from Arthur Irwis,'s
Hartford eastern League) club He
didn't impress as hitter last year, as
in l38 games he clubbed meagre $50
But he is only twenty years of age and
mas time to improve in this very neces-
sary mplishment He is an excel
lent fielder and fast as a streak on the
paths.
Kane can scarcely hope to make the
grade with the Giants this his first
year out, but if he shows real major
promise he no doubt will be placed for
schooling with a minor league of higher
classification than Hartford. McGraw's
main hope for the second base vacancy
is Rapp, for whom he paid $4,000. 1t
will do Rapp no harm to have four
other young men in camp fighting for
, his Job