The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-12
Veteran Major Lacquer
Signs With Boston, Sox
peerless Leader of a De-
cade Ago viii Assume Com
plete Control of Red Sox in
1923
BY Associated Press


Chance, former manager of the Chi
cago Nationals and the New York
Americans, today signed a contract
to manage the Boston American
league club for 1923.
Official announcement of the con-
summation of the deal was made by
III. II. Frazee,. president of the Red
Sox from his New York office. Both
Frazee and Chance refused to reveal
details of the financial terms in
volved. President Frazee, however
stated that Chances salary would
compare favorably with those of the
highest paid managers in baseball
The Boston owner also said that the
engagement of Chance marked the
first step in reconstruction of the
Red Sox. Every effort will be made
TO make the team a factor in future
pennant races. Chance will have full
control in rebuilding the club, and
may appear on the coaching lines.
He will not, however, play.
Chance expressed his keen pleasure
on re-entering major league baseball
and stated that he expected to make
his home in the east.
One of Games Fnvorites
The signing of Chance by the Red
Sox brings back to the national game
one of the most popular and dynamic
personalities the game has ever
known. As first baseman and Peer
less Leader" a decade or more ago
of the famous Chicago Cubs--Na-
tional League champions four times
and worlds champions twice-Chance
established a brilliant reputation not
only as a player but as a field gen.
eral and strategist.
After Is years with the Cubs, eight
of them as manager, Chance severed
his Chicago connection in 1912, with
the Intention of retiring to his Call
fornia orange grove, but was per-
suaded to take over the managership
of the New York Yankees under a
three-year contract reputed to have
called for an annual figure of $40,-
600 He piloted the team to seventh
place in 1913 but in 1914. when the
Yankees finished sixth, he resigned a
month before the close of tho sea-
son, because of disagreement with
owners over team policies and dissat-
isfaction with the conduct of several
star players.
Developed ON Coast
Chance was born in Fresno, Cal,
in 1877. He was catcher on the team
at Washington college, Irvington
Cal, in 1S93-4-5, when he signed with
8 semi-pro club at Sullivan, ILL.,, at a
salary of $40 monthly. Later he re-
turned to- the coast and attracted
the attention of major league scouts.
He received several offers from big
league clubs and finally chose chi
cage, joining the Cubs in 1898 as a
catcher
Chance played behind the bat and
in the field in AZ games his first
year and batted .2SS. In 1903 he was
transferred to first base to give the
team the benefit of his batting and
base running regularly, He batted
1927 and led the league in stolen
bases that year with 81.
Won Flag For Cnbs
When Frank Selee retired by ILL
health as manager of the Cubs in
1905, Chance, succeeded him, and the
following year led the team to Its
first pennant since 1886, but lost the
worlds series to the Chicago White
Sox, the "hitless wonders" of these
days.
The Cubs repeated as pennaut win
ners in 1907 and 1908, winning the
worlds championships both years
from Detroit; finished second &c
Pittsburg In 1909 and won their last
league title under Chance in 1910
The Philadelphia Athletics trounced
the IupS IN the Woriu SSiiSS tin
year, marking the. ascendency OF
Mack's great machine and the turn
ing point in the supremacy of the
Chicago clubs.
Chance, popular among his players
but an unflinching task master or
the field, achieved his success
through the inspiration of his OWL
forceful ability as well as his quick
decisive tactics at critical moments
His team, regarded by many OBJ
servers as the greatest of all time
Included number Of brilliant STRAIT
egists as well as players in addition
to the pilot. Notable, among them
was Johnny Evers. second baseman
Joe Tinker, shortstop, and Johnny
king, catcher. Three finger
Brown, Jack Pfeister, Orval Overall
and Ed Ruelback were the pitching
stars.