The Washington times., 1937-01-23

S|uggiing Star
Gets $4,000
And Bonus
Bv FRANK BUCK O,NEILL

Luke AppllIlS, WHO leu GIle H1IleIP
can League hitterS last year, thus
establishing himself as the first
shortstop to win that honor in the
American League, will be the
highest paid short fielder in the
history Of baseball when he signs
his 81 contract. The White Sox
have offered him a contract calling
for $4,000, with bonus clause
that may increase his income for
the year to $17,500.
Appling's deeds afield this year,
and the gate receipts at home and
abroad of the White Sox are to
determine the amount of the bonus
the player will receive.
Lou ComiSkey, president Of the
Chicago American League club Of
fered the bonus as a compromise
in Appling's demand for a straight
salary Of $4,000. The club never
considered Luke as holdout, nor
even as a malcontent. Comiskey's
offer was couched in friendly
terms, and was not in any sense
an ultimatum.
100 Per Cent Increase
1t was explained that the clubs
offer was an increase of approx.
mately 100 per cent over Appling'S
salary for 1886, and it is pretty
hard for ball player to register
indignation over treatment of that
nature. Appling, of course, had q
swell, elegant season last year, hit
ting 1888 in 1873 games, and driving
in 1873 runs. He figured in more
double plays than any other short
stop in the American League.
For some reason wholly unex-
planned by baseball men, short
stops salaries never reached the
$4,000 range. Ruth, the great
hitter; Speaker. the graceful CEN
ter fielder; Cobb, and others whose
salaries scared into the upper
brackets were outfielders paid for
their batting, base running and
general color. With the exception
of Ruth, they were managers.
Signed Three-Year Contract
Bucky Harris, of Washington,
signed a three-year contract COW
ering 1925, '26 and '27 for 100000,
serving as playermanager. He was
one of the few infielders ever to
receive such a salary and, OF
course, he was not paid wholly for
playing.
Lest critical eyebrows be arched
at what might seem to be an
oversight, we add that Joe Cronin
receives a baSketful of bank
notes, but he. like Harris, is
player-manager.
Honus Wagner. first Of the
shortstops, and one of the original
five men to be elected to the Hall
of Fame at Cooperstown, was out
of baseball before the day of high
salaries in baseball 1t is doubt
full if the mighty Flying Dutch
man ever received more than
$500 for a seasons play at Pitts
burgh. The same is true Of Bill
Dahlen, and Terry Turner, the
Cleveland immortal. Deacon Scott.
of the Red Sox, the Yankees and
the Griffs, was great shortstop
on a high-Salaried team, but he
never reached the bracket in
which Appling now is established.
Hubbel Gains Top
Carl Hubbell's $4,000 contract
figures based on estimate and
not official-raise the Oklahoma
thin man to the upper levels.
Dizzy Dean is one Of the few
pitchers to be paid more than 20
grand for a years labor.
Baseball salaries are always Of
interest to the public. which ac-
cepts them with certain amount
Of skepticism. There were many
folks who doubted that Ruth ever
received 100000 for single year
playing baseball.
The figures were authentic, how
ever, and the signing was in pub
lie with many witnesses. William
B. Hanna, one of the top-hand
sports writer's of all time, was a
witness in the signing Of the
100000 contract by Ruth.
Hanna Grabs Pen
When the signing was finished
Hanna reached over and grabbed
the pen.
This Is mine" said Hanna.
There never will be another
$4,000 ball player in the history
of baseball"
Hanna carried that pen for Sew
eral years until he passed along
to the abode of his forefathers.
Gossip from st. Louis has 1t
that Rogers Hornsby is looking
toward Boston for a couple Of
trades. He will part with Joe Vos-
mix if he can get the players he
wants. Among them is Emerson
Dickman. the young Highlander
from Buffalo, N Y. Dickman
pitched for Rocky Mount last
year, working in nine games, and
winning five with no defeats. He
struck out IS men in SO innings.