New Britain herald., 1928-10-24

New York, Oct. - R - Rogers
Hornsby apparently is set for his
perennial transfer. He has been
with three different clubs in three
reasons and fandom now ID buzxinS
with talk about purported plans for
the Rajah's trade to a fourth club
the Chicago Cubs.
Newspapers In both New York
and Chicago have stated that the
trade will be contaminated and at
least one Boston paper quoted re
liable authority" that the Braves
were ready for ANY deal for Horns
by that will strengthen the club"
The talk among baseball men has
it that the Cubs have offered Pitcher
Charley Root. Second Baseman Fred
Mcguire and Outfielder Earl Webb
and cash for tho Boston manager.
boston. the reports state. has Insist
cd on Outaelder Cliff Heathcotc, an
old Chicago favorite. instead Of
Webb.
Men close to the game predict that
the Cubs will have to turn over at
least 100000 In cash and players
for the National Leagues greatest
hitter.
The deal undoubtedly will be one
Of the biggest in which Hornsby has
figured but 1t cannot possibly APP
proach in interest the transaction by
which the champion senior loop
batsman was traded first by st. Louis
to New York and then by New York
to Boston.
1t was the suddenness OF those
moves that shocked baseball fam
dom. The Rajah had Just piloted
his Cardinals 10 their first worlds
championship when the Red Birds
management announced his trans
fer, to the New York Giants for
Fordham frankie Frisch and Jimmy
Ring. That was on December 20.
1926.
Hornsby had a big year with the
Giants. So. Giants fans. too. were
surprised when on January 10. 1928.
it was announced that he would go
to the Braves in exchange for
Catcher Frank Hogan and Outfielder
Jimmie Welsh.
The old st. Louis star performed
in championship form with the
Braves. capturing his sixth Nation
al league batting title and playing
his usual brilliant game afield. He
succeeded Jack Slattery as Boston
manager in June and Immediately
sought to build up the team
through series of deals with
major and minor league clubs. but
his club finished last.
With the end of the season. the
management began looking about
for opportunities to trade its $40.-
0oO-a-yearstar for playing material
and cash with which to cut down a
heavy deficit for the year.
In obtaining Hornsby from the
Giants, the Braves assumed a two
year contract calling for an annual
salary Of $4,000. Then when he
was elevated to the managership
he was rendered new six-year
contract at the same salary. This
proved an unbearable burden for a
club attracting the meager gates
the Braves did on their home field.
If the Braves do get Root and
Mcguire they will receive q pair
Of pretty good ball payers. Ma
guire. a Toledo, American Associa-
ton product, batted .277 and fielded
well for the Cubs. Root. who Is
70 years old, did not do 20 much
in 1928 but he won 26 games to
lead the National league pitchers
in 1927. He won IA and lost is In
1928.
AS for the Cubs. they appear
ready to do almost anything within
reason to get Hornsby into a Chi
cago uniform. The Bruins have
lost out on 4 couple OF National
league pennants in the last two
years partly because OF weak in
field. Owner William Wrigley and
Manager Joe Mccarthy believe
Hornsby is the man they need to
make the Cubs p-nnant- winner.