The Washington times., 1930-04-11
SALARY FAR
MORE THAN
$4,000
By KIRK MILLER


ascertained as to the conditions
under which Goose Goslin, lead
ing slugger Of the team this
spring despite the fact he was
only in camp one-third Of the
training period. is playing.
In the first place Goose GoSlin
has not and will not pay one
penny of his training expenses,
formal statements by the club at
the time Of his signing to the
contrary.
In the second instance, GoSlin
is signed to contract that calls
for far more than $4,000 straight
salary. Goose got his own figure
when he went to Chattanooga,
and an iron-clad enforceable bonus
proposition besides, one on which
he can collect and not the type
at which they can laugh in his
face when he tries to cash in on
it next fall.
Thus comes to light an angle
of Goslin'S salary dispute, Of
which he has not had public
benefit. The hand-out informa-
ton forthcoming at Chattanooga
did not tend to give GoSlin a
break insofar as his business
acumen is concerned, and in
going to Chattanooga he did not
feel that the announcements
forthcoming would reflect any
too well on the practical business
sense.
However, he did not stand
on ceremony, figuring that
what was told the public
would have no effect on what
he Is actually receiving and
that he got his own price
was made O. matter of posi-
tive assurance today rs the
Cltib paused here between yes
terday's game at Richmond
and tOday's game in Balti.
more.
By holding out for more than
three weeks Goslin therefore has
benefited materially. and his
.53S batting average in the seven
games in which he has competed
in spring practice, more than
justifies his independent position
before coming to termS-terJns Of
his own making, not the clubs
by any means.
Meanwhile the idea of his pay
Ing any part of his training ex
penses after such q remarkable
showing afield and at bal in the
last 10 days has become untenable.
A man who has proven the
spark plug, the inspiration, the
Keystone Of ball club, isn't called
on to do anything except play ball.
no matter when he reports.
In Goslin's case, he listened to
the clubs threats which included
everything from fine anG sus-
pension down through a diet Of
bread and water and finally pay
ing his own training expenses, and
then not only signed at his own
figure but batted and fielded like
a demon to establish beyond
doubt the propriety OF his posi-
ton when he was demanding a
salary in proportion to his prob
able playing worth. He has Suf-
fered none Of the threatened
penalties and has a better salary
than club officials will admit.
Never "in recent baseball his /
tory has a ball player justified |
his worth to a club more definitely !
than has GoSlin to the Washing
ton club in the last 10 days.
Never has one held out for more
salary with greater justification.
The team has been q new
organization since he hove
into sight at CHATTANOOGA.
Instead of having its chin on
its chests, IL now has its chin
up and its step high.
From the bat boy to the preSi-
dent of the club a new spirit
has pervaded the club, a spirit
inspired and prompted by the
one man in the clubs reserve who
could cement together a playing
effectiveness that at least needs
no apology-GooSe GoSlin!
GoSlin played great poker"
with President Griffith from the
beginning. Instead of consider-
ing himself out on limb be-
cause Of a poor year at the bat
in 1929. where President Griffith
though he had his player, GoSlin
knew he had the club on limb
because it has made less effort
this year to provide new material
than any season since 1t won a
championship,
Taking but six potential rockies
to camp and trying out a couple
of deepwoods sandlotters besid1.
If there was ever a year when
the club couldn't gamble with
GoSlin, this was the year.
Goslin knew this and played
his cards in manner that
amazed not only his superiorS on
the club. but the fans and OBJ
servers, many of whom had
branded Goose aS not being af-
fected with too great a degree
Of mental alertness when IL came
In blISineSS aciInAen