The New York herald., 1921-12-27
SCOUTS REPORTS ON
STAR MINORS VARY
Some Have Buyers Of O'Con-
nell, johnson, Pillette and
Caveney 'Stung.'
BY DANIEL.

A most interesting and amusing de-
velopment Of the recent sensational pur-
chases of minor league stars by major
league clubs is the remarkable preva-
lence Of statements derogatory to the
prowess OF the players involved. Most
Of these statements are nothing but
Sour grapes" Others are the regular
crop or the we'll known anvil chorus
which Is ever ready to take a wallop at
anybody and everybody. These folk will
tell you that Babe Ruth made his home
run record last season because the pitch
ers were lobbing them over for him-and
that Jack Dempsey would have gone
about one minute with John l.. Sullivan
With regard to Jimmy O'Connell, the
first baseman who cost the Giants
$4,000. we were informed not so many
days ago by major Lacquer of high
position that the New York Club had
been "stung good and proper" "O'Con-
nell Is just fair minor Lacquer" he in
formed us. IF he is worth $4,000 Hal
Chase was worth a million when he
came to the Yankees. O'Connell is not
first baseman and never will be one
and he has no arm for an outfielder.
The Giants paid about $4,000 too much
for him." 1t may be interesting to know
that the man who expressed himself
thus is no friend of John McGraw.
On the other hand, AL Demaree, for
mer Giant who last season pitched for
Seattle; Bill Lange, one time slugger of
the Chicago club; Bob Conuery, scout
for the Yankees; Duffy Lewis. manager
of the Salt Lake club; Jack knight, for
mer Yankee shortstop, and Norris Rath.
who went from the Reds 20 the San
Francisco club last season, all pronounce
O'Connell one Of the minor league finds
OF the decade and sure fire hit when
he lands in the big show. They believe
that McGraw made very wise move
when he consented to give Jimmy an
other year in the minors.
As to the New Tigers.
We asked one scout what he thought
of johnson and Pillette. the Portland
pitchers for whom the Tigers gave
$4,000. johnson has a great fast ball
and wonderful sailer," he replied. "He
may make good. But this man Pillette
has stiff knee, and when the American
League boys get wise and begin to bunt
on that bird he Will wish he was back
in that dear old Coast League. He is
worse on bunts than Sergeant York Of
the Cubs. The day I looked Pillette
over he looked worse on bunts than
Sothoron on his worst day."
Another scout vouchsafed the infor-
nation that both Johnson and Pillette
were ready for the big leagues. Both
have great fast balls" said our inform
mant. "Pillette suffered an injury 10
his knee which hampered him lot, but
hear that he has got over that. The
investment of the Tigers looks like a
good one
One of the critical scouts had nothing
TO say in favor of Caveney. the San
Francisco shortstop who cost the Reds
s25,000. Caveney. we were told. is 81
years old and too old to step in and make
good in the National League. He will
be sucker for big league pitching.
and loses his goat very easily" said
the scout.
Arnold Statz. the former Giant for
whom the Cubs consented TO send nine
Players to Los Angeles "after hot de-
bate" is reported 10 be very much i'm
proved fielder and hitter. That debate"
story was very interesting. William
Wrigley owns both the Cubs and the
Angels. and Bill Killefer's brother.
Wade, is the manager of the coast club.
That must have been some battle"