Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-16
BY DENMAN THOMPSON,
Sports Editor. The Star.


the regular first baseman of the Ma
tionals for a dozen seasons. is just
about foregone conclusion, despite
his owners assertion that he may
be kept, too" but where and how is
. matter for speculation.
His status now is similar to that
of Iris Speaker. who was given per-
mission at the close of last season to
dicker for a managerial job, in tina;
1t is undecided and may remain SO
for weeks.
s There are several possibilities re-
garding Judge. He may yet be
traded, he may be sold outright. or
he may pass on via the waiver route.
Cleveland Wants Joe.
The Cleveland club is known to
want him, as arrangements are SAID
TO have been already made to shunt
George Burns to the minors. wash
ington is unwilling to consider
Pitcher Walter Miller in trade,
however. The Indians are unwilling
to give up Pitcher Joe Shaute, and
the Nationals will not let him go for
cash while a possibility remains for
them to obtain playing talent.
The only other club that was con-
sidered likely to be interested in
trade for Judge was Chicago, and as
far as could be learned Bucky Harris
got absolutely nowhere in the several
confabs he had with Ray Schaik' one
of which was more or less accurately
reported to have concerned the trans
fer of Judge with Sam Rice or
pitcher for Bib Falk.
It is a cinch that if such an eventu-
atty as the asking of waivers on
Judge came about that at least three
clubs in the National League would
be on the job to prevent him from
passing out of the major circuit
picture-Philadelph Boston ana
Brooklyn-and 1t is almost equally
certain that as many teams in the
American loop would put in bids to
keep him there-the tail-end Red Sox,
the Browns flor trading purposes),
and the Indians, whose claims under
base ball law would have to be honored
IN that order.
May Wait for Waiver.
There is good reason for the belief
that the Indians are laying back in
the hope of getting title to Judge in
Just that inexpensive manner. but as
long as they have material that could
be used to advantage by the Nationals
il may be considered doubtful that
they will succeed.
With the Judge matter still prob
lem, the landing of Sisler was the
only transaction put through during
the sojourn in Gotham of the capital
committee, but it may be that a.
handy-man will be picked for bull pen
chores to succeed Jack Onslow. the
pitcher-coach of last season. who was
given the opportunity to return to
his beloved National League, chance
n1f fnrr writ.
McKechnie, his former boss at Pitts
burgh and who now Is plotting the st.
Louis Cardinals.
Griff has several applications for
the post and among those he is con-
sidering Is that of Joe Sugden, a
veteran receiver who caught Griff
when the latter started his career as
an American League pitcher in Chi
cago and who also starred back Of
the bat with the Pirates and Browns.
Sugden, now nearing his sixtieth mile
stone. was a bull pen attache Of the
Phillies at the beginning Of last sea.
son. but now is out of a job and is
said to need one
Views of Deal Differ.
A wide difference in the esteem in
which Sisler is held as player Is re-
fiected in comments on his shift to
Washington by base ball writer's IN
the New York papers. A scrivener
for the Times indicates a high regard
for him in asserting that "Sisler was
sold to the Senators in straight cash
transaction, much to the amazement
of those American League clubs which
had expected lively bidding for the star
first baseman. 1t was anticipated that
Sisler would not be disposed of with
fcx ,,k 90
the Washington, Philadelphia, Chi
cago and Cleveland clubs. The news
that one OF the very best first base
men in the league had been sold for a
sum understood to be $4,000 caused
intense pain among several American
League managers"
Al writer for the Telegram isn't so
enthusiastic. He says: Not so many
years back George Sisler was rated
second only to Hal Chase among the
greatest first basemen of all time He
had been the American Leagues most
valuable player. He had set a batting
record with APO in 1922. He was grace
and speed and power. Today we find
Sisler sold to Washington for $4,000.
We find the Browns bewailing the fact
that they had held Sisler overlong, un-
til they could get no worthwhile
player in exchange for him."
Dark Horse I'm Woodpile.
An observer in the Evening World
opines there is a dark man in the
woodpiie somewhere. He says: 1.-THE
sensation of the day is the purchase of
George Sisler by the Washington Sena-
tors for a small amount of cash. The
budding magnates want to know why.
TWO years ago Sisler could have
brought $150,000 in any market. His
sale price to Washington is secret.
"Behind this move. though, there is
. catch. 1t is understood that a three
cornered deal is on the fire to make II
IN with Browns. Sam Rice and Joe
I,,dpa are to be traded to Cleveland,
ether directly or indirectly, and be-
tween those three clubs the loss of
sister will be adjusted satisfactorily.
81. Louis may get either or both"
Then, another writer in the tele-
cram: George Sisler moves on to
~SVashington. Five years ago he was
o,e of the greatest young players in
~ came. Today base ball men con-
sider him nothing more than run-of-
line hall players. The Browns had
~ easy time getting rid of him.
Strangely, only Bucky Harris of the
yuashingtons was enthusiastic about
r;r, THE White Sox didn't want him.
ronnie Mack passed him up. Detroit
wo,,Idnt consider him. Cleveland
nreferred at least two other first base
p,sn tn him-Judge, of the Washing
tons and Blue, of the Tigers. II
Harris hadn't been interested in him
the chances are he would have passed
from the league entirely.
Records Are Good.
..o..u tba records seem to indicate
sis,e,. Is a fine bali player. He hit well
over 200. led the league In stolen
bases and was well up with the lead
ers in assists. In spite OF these
figures. base ball men tell you Sisler is
- r~--axr a star There's mystery