The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-10
BERGER TOILET
OUT RESIDENCE
oM'QUILLANs
islander Bsss Lksly 70 Arrive b
1hreo Weeks-Densen.K ellernan
Trade Might h imminent
BY BRUCE COPELAND.

E
81 BRUCE COPELAND.
Positive assurances that he would |
arrive in Rock Island within the |
next three weeks were received
yesterday by President C. W. Muel- |
Ter Of the Rock Island Fans assoc
ciation. from Manager George Nc
Quillan, who has bean plying his
trade - electrical contractor for
the last Ave months.
The cate of McQuillan's coming
will depend largely upon the exo-
6us OF Joe Berger to Wichita,
where he will resume his duties rs
manager of last years runner-up in
the Western league pennant races
Joe, former Islander de luxe and
erstvhile White Sox, has enjoyed
several prosperous seasons in Wich-
ita. After the close of last season
he was sold to Comiskey, who was
then securing the shrubs for talent
to replenish his losses caused by
the baseball scandal.
Berger announced yesterday that
there was no chance of his report
ing to Chicago as Manager Gleason
has collected enough younger ma
terial to ride along without him,
leaving the way clear to Joe to re-
turn to his old job, which is better
all around.
TO Use Berger Home.
The McQuillans have been offered
! the use of TIE Berger residence
while Mr.. and Mrs. Joe are sum-
mering in Wichita. The BeYgers
are planning to depart the FIRST of
next month and the McQuillans will
arrive as soon as the Bergers have
vacated. This was good news to
MIR. and Mrs. "Mac," for they al
most despaired of finding available
private quarters aud a summer OF
hotel life seemed imminent.
Then, too, Manager McQuillan
wishes to arrive here somewhat in
advance of the other players, and
in all probability he will order his
Ipitching candidates to report short
ly after he checks in. George wants
to have his mound staff in good or
der for the exhibition games, par.
ticularly the scheduled tilt, April
II, with the Chicago Cubs.
President Mueller announced yes.
vterday that Elmer Benson, Cornit
McInerney and Gus Purpura hav'
not as yet been signed. Benson i:
still balky about returning to Roci
Island, but the management has re
solved to waste no worry on his &C
> count. Elmer is grand player ant
all that. but the management will
> not permit his idiosyncrasies t.
blight the teams chances for bril-
liant getaway.
Trade Possibility.
Benson has advanced several ex
: cuses why he doesn't wish to pla
with the Islanders this year, and
he continues to harp upon his avow
ed determination, the management
will grant his wishes. Negotia
lions have been opened with Man
ager Joe Dunn of the Bloomers, 70
the acquisition of Second Basema
Dutch" kellerman. The chance
are that a trade with the Bloomer
might be effected.
While the averages fail to sho'
. it, kellerman was better batsma
than Benson last year. Elmer play
p ed in 1913 games, was at bat A
times, scored 81 runs, cracked OF
1T safeties. for 164 total bases an
an average Of .259. Kellerman
!. figures show he played in IL
games, went to bat 524 times, scol
!. ed Ill runs. made 1873 safeties, fl
1872 total bases an dan average
/. .254. Benson only topped Dutch
in doubles, polling % to Kellerman
Is.
+ Kellerman was the best fieldin
second baseman in the league, to-
u ping the others with mark OF SO
Benson was eighth on the list vii
i .942. Joe Dunn has declared tn
Kellerman will not be with Il
Boomers this year. He has retail
y ed only Coltrin. Sykes and Romil
!, from his two-time champions. Th
~ would indicate that the Islande
=. have a clear stretch to the play
if they really want him.
Slow But Sure.
The delinquency OF Mclnern
he and Purpura has not disturbed t
management in the least. Both
almost sure of their places and
,s word from McQuillan will probat
~ make them shake off the eject
ne their writer's cramp.