The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-16

A dark picture? Yes, it's is indeed
But to several cities baseball futures
are quite as dark. For instance. what
Hope has any Philadelphia right now
that either of his major league clubs
will even be in the first division inside
Of the coming five years? Does any
follower of the Red Sox think Hughey
| Duffy will have a winner inside of five
years, unless Frazee sells the club?
Does any sober-minded Washington
fan expect a world series here inside
of the coming five years?
Already the players are going to the
auction block, with the natural result.
The Giants and the Yankees, backed
by millions and possessors of large
profits from last season, are getting
the players they seek. The Chicago
Cubs. also owned by millionaires, may
be expected to join In the scramble
before 1t is too late. The rest of the
clubs will stand on the side1ines and
watch the bidding and the bidders.
Prices Are Too High.
The prices asked for minor league
players are far too high. They are SO
high that few lads now in the minors
lave a chance of landing in fast COM
pany. Proceeding along in the ordi-
rary way, they will some day land In
the Class IA circuits. Unless thGy
are unusual enough to attract exorbi.
tant prices. that's where they'll stay
until the whole professional game
blows to the wild winds.
We bumped into Jack Bentley one
night last winter on Fifteenth street.
He was on his way to Keith's, SO
didn't tarry long.
How are you doing, Jack?" we
asked the big fellow. who had just
completed an excellent season with
| the Baltimore club.
Great" was his reply. I'm get
| ting more salary than / ever got with
the Washington club. I'm already
signed up for next season."
He Admitted That.
well, Jack you weren't so awful
much when with the washin gton
club. You're better ball player now
Wouldn't you like to play with Gin
cinnati or New York;"
| Eyes, suppose would. But that's
all off now. I'm signed up and
: Dunnie won't sell any of his players 4"
He went on his way. That's all
there was to 1t. e-
| IDCIitiCs ColldCt Will DdltHuOTC
| has now ended. We read that he is
dissatisfied and wants to be sold He
believes he can make good in tho
major leagues, which is worthy
| belief.
IF a player tells me he's dis.
| satisfied and wants to be sold or
traded" says Jack Dunn, defending
his position against the draft, on
offer him to the highest bidder"
End Can BE FOreseen.
The end of this situation can be
seen. Dunn's method invites the
auction. The auction means eventual
death of the majors through lack OF
competition. The death of the ma jors
means the death of the minors with
| them and a wild chaos on the dia
| mond.
The major league magnates should
set loose on mighty scale a cam
paign Of publicity, written and direct
| ed by baseball writer's Of long stand
| ing. calling attention to the facts
| These facts should not be covered
with tinsel ware. The more brutal
the better for all concerned. They
should steer all young players away
| from the Class AA organizations, II
only in self-defense.
1t may be necessary for every major
league club to carry a large squad
| of green players. This will be costly
bat 1t will be necessary. 1t will pre-
| vent likely lads from the colleges and
the sandlots getting into the machine
! that may keep them from ever play
ing major league ball. And without
| players, major league clubs lacking
| the treasures of the New York and
| Chicago clubs are doomed anyway.
Major league baseball needs pub