The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-18

smiths Crafty Strategy
 Of course, the Norfolk club wasn't going to sell outright man that had been loaned them by a major club. That would have been uble-crossing friend. Offers for sale came. but the Norfolk management turned a deaf ear. Still, there was noth- ing to keep the man from being drafted So. when Smith and Molesworth learned the true status of the case, they stepped in and drafted him from the Virginia league.
 Moiey. 1t will be remembered, quit the Barons several weeks before the season closed last year. and did considerable scout ing. He spent more than week In the Virginia league, and looked over Burkett's work every day The more he saw of him the bet ter he liked him. And, Moley figures the son of the famous old veteran is going to cause tho fans to forget about the won derful work of Pie Traynor when the Barons go a-pennant hunt ing the coming season.
 Is Ranxy Youngster
 The new Baron shortsmith is only 1e years of age. and 1t is said that he likes to play base ball as well as did Traynor. He's built like Pie. too. He stands six feet high, and Is a whiz of a fielder. Moley and Colonel Quack say that he may not be able to hit as we'll as Traynor on his first year in Class A com pany, but that he will surely tear up the ground Tagging hard hit balls around the short field.
 Incidentally. it might be men toned that McGraw helped out his worst major league enemy by sleeping through the Bufkett deal. When he failed to recall Burkett. he gave him a shove to- wards the Pittsburg Pirates. Bir- mingham works hand-in-hand with the Pirate owners. and if Burkett develops into the star Moley predicts. he will eventual ly find his way into a Pirate uni- form.
 The PittsburE Angle
 In connection with the Burkstt deal, Bill Peet, sports editor of tho Pittsburg Dispatch, had the following to say of the young ster:
 In New York last month, dur ing the National league meeting. l accidentally bumped into old Jesse Burkett. who. 1t will be recalled, was a member of the New York Giants board of strat- egy. Burkett was the guest of McGraw at the banquet rendered the National league magnates by the Giants owners.
 After inquiring about several old-time players from the Great CT Pittsburg club he wanted to know how the players were treat ed by the fans, how the men liked George Gibson, and when his re- marks narrowed down to the club owners I asked him what was the big idea
 "why don't you talk to George Gibson-he's here-he can tell you more about the inside work ings of the PIttsburg club than I can," I made bold to remark.
 The old-timer smiled and re- piled: "Say-I'm gonna talk to Gibson, you can bet your life on that--Tm mighty interested In the Pittsburg club. for it looks as if they were going to get a great young ball player next fall player by the name of Burkett. Howard Burkett-he's my son.
 T wanted McGraw to have him--in fact I thought McGraw did have him. There was a hitch somewhere and the Birmingham club has drafted him from Nor folk. He's going to Birming- ham next year and he will make good, for he Is a real ball play CT, I don't care if he is my son. The Pirates. I understand. have . working agreement with Bir- udngham, and they win most cer- tainly bay the kid It the close of the season. That's why I an particularly Interested h Pitts burr tuRt n0W.s