Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-17


pleased with contracts offered. the
nold-out fever that seems to have af-
iected 10 of the Nationals no doubt
will be thoroughly stamped out by
March IL. Under orders. on that day
all of the clubs reserve is to be on the
training field, and it's fairly safe to
say now that all will be at hand.
Officially, according to President Crit
fifth, no player may be classed ''hold-
out" unless he has failed to aff1x his
signature to contract by the time he
IS ordered to report at training camp.
That's the base ball way of it, but
generally players spurning terms offered
after the middle of February is passed
are deemed entitled to the classification.
So to all intents and purposes. Sam
Jones, Fred Marberry. Adolph Liska,
Paul Mccullough, Cliff Bolton, Harley
Boss, Buddy Myer. Jack Hayes, Charley
Gooch and Goose Goslin are hold
outs"
President Grifith makes it a point
never to announce for publication his
contract negotiations with players, but
reports from here and there indicate
that the ideas of the Washington boss
and the baking players as to the worth
of the latter differ considerably in
most instances. In some, the player
appears to have ground for argument,
but in others 1t Is difficult to figure
where the player may be getting the
worst of it.
Three Regulars in Lot.
Prominent among the lot of hold
outs" are Myer. Goslin and Hayes. Al
ready accounted regulars. these fell
lows could give the Washington club an
awful jolt by persistently sticking to
their present course. But they would
be jolted In return when pay day
came around with no checks for them,
10 there1l be some compromising in
each of these cases.
Naturally Myer has pretty high
opinion as to his worth to the Washing
on club or to any other club for that
natter. How can he help having IT.?
Not only the Nationals, but several
,ther outfits bid for his services during
,he past Fall and this Winter, his rec
)rd for the 1928 campaign Is fine, his
playing ability has been highly praised
md other pilots of the American
he Washington club gave the Red Sox
almost bali club in exchange for him.
Enough to make Myer think he is
something right fine in base ball way
md he semes to be, too-and to lead
him to believe he may be entitled to a
after salary than has been offered him.
When he wants TO be. Buddy Is quite a
stubborn person. He probably will be
uSt about the Il of the Nationals to
all in line.
The Hayes case may be settled soon.
There is said to be little difference be-
,ween the clubs offer and Jacks price,
Perhaps the young ginfielder will settle
he affair after getting to Tampa.
That's what Goslin plans to do. The
nan who led the American League in
batting last season Is quite fair-minded
n business arguments, and no doubt he
and Griffith will reach an understand
ng quickly at Tampa. The Goose nat
lraly feels he is entitled to a bigger
1gure in his contract as a result of his
Inc hitting In 1928, even though an all
ng arm reduced his value to the club
IS a fielder. But he is apt to be reason
lble.
Just how fair Goslin can be was re-
'ealed last season when his sore shoulder
put him out Of action. He then re-
luested the club to suspend him without
pay until he was able to give good &C
count of himself on the field. President
Griffith couldn't see that, though, so
he game Goose returned to the line-up
md slugged his way to the batting
crown.
Want Some Of Purchase Money.
Liska and Mccullough, young pitchers
bought from American Association clubs
md expected to bolster the Nationals
lab staff greatly this year, oddly have
IDEAS that they are entitled to a piece
If the money spent for them. and have
asked for it. Base ball law does not
permit any part of purchase money
going to the player purchased, but these
youngsters think they should get slice
They will not.
Marnerry has become a perennial
'hold-out." The big Texan in each of
he past few years has baked at ac-
,epting the salary offered and has re-
used to come to terms until the last
minute. The pitcher always has carried
MS argument to Tampa, and very likely
t again will be threshed out finally
1t the clubs Florida headquarters
strangely, nothing has been heard by
he club from Sam Jones. The veteran
,itcher has not even acknowledged the
receipt OF a contract sent him. But
President Griffith has said he does not
anticipate any trouble rounding Jones
INTO the flock.
Boss j. evidently sees himself worth
more to the club this year than last
md hopes to get 1t by waiting. At that
ne is the only other first sacker than
Joe Judge with the Nationals, and Har-
ey may have much to do this season.
Even though Judge played virtually
throughout the past campaign and looks
II good trim at present, he needs an
No major league club
'eally can afford to be without good
substitute first sacker. Boss naturally
understands this and probably intends
70 make the most of 1t.
The cases of Bolton and Gooch are
somewhat mysterious. Bolton has been
n professional base ball but two years
ana Is coming up to a major club for
.he first time, yet the young catcher
mas spurned all offers made him thus
lar. And Gooch, veteran minor
Lacquer, though somewhat young in
years, Is reported to have fired back
contracts at Griffith three times. He
must know the Nationals have enough
nfleld material to do without him.
It's difficult to figure where Bolton and
iooch have legs to stand on in their
contract tiffs.
Back from Tampa, where he spent
nearly four weeks. Secretary Eynon of
the Nationals says much progress has
been made In the construction of the
new training field for the club and
that tomorrow preparation of a new
clubhouse exclusively for the Washing
ton OUTFIT viii be started. Emil HAS
man, groundkeeper at Griffith Stadium,
Is in Tampa directing the building Of
the playing field A permant building
Of the South Florida Fair group will
be converted into a clubhouse Lock-
ers win be installed in a spacious,
brightly lighted and we'll ventilated
room On the second floor. while show
n batlfseDm will be built on the first
door, according to EynOn it viii be