The Washington times., 1922-10-31

1t was learned, however. that the
deal. which was reported to be in the
mill for a month or more, was finally
closed at the Giants offices in a con.
ference between President Charles
\. Stonrham and Manager John Nc.
Graw. OF the world champions. and
manager and part owner Jack Dunn.
Of the Baltimore club.
1t was also intimated that Bentley.
who is a lefthanded pitcher and a
first baseman. positions in which he
has alternated for the Baltimore out.
fit. would be used as a pitcher by
McGraw. This would give the club
two lefthandcrs-Art Nchf and Bent
ley.
During the series in late Septem.
Der between the Baltimore club and
the New Haven club. champions Of
the Eastern League. Manager Nc.
Graw went up TO New Haven to con.
fer with Dunn on an offer TO buy
Bentley. There were rumors that
several major league clubs had made
big offers. McGraw, apparently.
wanted to beat EN- TO it,"
AT the time. however. despite a
report the Giants had offered slOO,.
900. Dunn refused to sell. McGraw.
apparently, was not daunted, and
seemingly kept after Dunn until he
finally decided to let his star 60.
The Giants pitching staff. a
number will say. needs building up.
Such a statement comes from the
late season showing Of McGraw's
corps. but the world series found
Il pretty efficient, to say the least.
II would not surprise us to see
Bentley traded to some other club.
We may be as wrong as those old
boys who said the world was fiat.
But II Bentley went to Cincinnati
Tor Center Fielder Eddie Roush as
an example, or to Brooklyn for
Pitcher "Dutch" Ruether. we
would not be oversurprised.
Both Roush and Reuther would
welcome change OF scene. Reuther
at present is at outs" with Owner
Ebbetts. OF the Brooklyn Club, who
is going to rebuild his club on a large
scale. while Roush was long a hold.
out last season and the season be.
fore with the Reds.
MCGraw needs a center fielder and
a pitcher OF Reuther's caliber. First
Baseman Jake Daubert In a veteran
Of veterans. and Manager Moran. Of
the Reds, may be looking around for
a fellow like Bentley. Ebbetts can
certainly use a first baseman or a
pitcher. Bentley Ia both.
The sale of Bentley by Baltimore.
incidentally. is believed to be onlv
the first Of a series Of sales to he
made by Dunn. Pitchers Ogden and
Groves and Shortstop Boley may also
go. Dunn. after sticking out against
selling his stars to major league
clubs for long stretch. has finally
changed his mind
The fact his club has made su, \
runaway races In the Internationa
League pennant fight. in 1919. 1920,
1921 and this year. has robbed the
circuit Of much interest, reflecting
broadly in falling off attendance.
Other club owners have been threat
ening dire things unless some stars
went. They helped Dunn, undoubt-
edly, In finally deciding to break up
his crack club somewhat.
Bentley Is twenty.seven. He was
once with the Washington Senators,
but went 10 war and on his return
was released to Baltimore. Home
run hitting brought him at once into
prominence. He has alternated be.
tween first and the pitchers box to
the great advantage Of the Baltimore
Club for four years.
At the end Of the 1919 season he
was eagerly sought by major league
clubs. but Dunn, leading a fight
against the baseball draft, refused all
offers for him and other stars. Bent
ley. by the way. has been anxious to
get away from Baltimore and draw
bigger salary in the big leagues.
It is reported that he threatened to