, TITE SUNDAY-: OREGOXIAXrOKTLAyD,' MARCH 24, 1912. '
BAUM WITNESSES
BEAVER'S PROWESS
Coast League President Says
Gilligan Rightfully Port
land Property.
DISPUTED PLAYER PITCHES
MrCrrdle More Than Ever Deter
mined to Keep Twlrler After See
ing Him Hold Amateor Help
le In X-lo-1 Game.
BT BOSCOK FAWCETT.
SANTA MARIA. Cal.. March 12.
(Special.) Rulfiinmrn and lobster
paU" tactics will not be tolerated on
Pacific Coast Lmeu ball fields." wss
the glut of an Interview flashed o'Jt of
the league headquarters In Pan Fran
cisco during the resolution period In
January. Thla afternoon President
Rum. of the Pacific Count League,
dropped In en route north from Los
Angeles to Impress the fact upon the
Portland champions and to become bet
ter acquainted with the players.
H:um flashed under the wire Just
in time to witness the demoralisation
of an oil field squad, some 2S to 1.
with GIlliRan. Steiser and Temple
working finely on the mound for the
Heavers. After dinner the ex-San
Francisco newspaper "star" bad the
boys In confab In the Hotel Pastors,
and Inter, after assembling a mass of
evidence In the Gilllgan controversy,
left on the narrow gauie for Paso
Robles. the hotbed of the Seals, and
on around the circuit.
Baas Ilaa aa Reversal Order.
President Baum Is of the opinion that
some one Is trying to palm off the
olo three-shell game on Pitcher GIl
liRan. who after being declared a free
agent waa ordered to report to Col
umbus In the American Association.
Baum Insists that he hs received no
bulletin of a reversal of Its emanci
pation proclamations by the National
Commission and believes that either
St. Louis, the. club convicted of the
tliecsl farming process, or Columbus,
to whom he was sold prior to being de
clared to be free. Is building Its case
on a monumental framework of bluff.
Gilllitan submitted his communica
tion from tbe Commission fwln all
ties and the epistle from Columbus
fiuotlns a eeversal of this decision by
the Herrmann tribunal.
Ullllgaa'a Shows Real Korss.
Gilllgan's wonderful display of form
la his Initial warming up In three In
ning's against the oil team today makes
McCredle more than ever determined
to fight to the last ditch. Tbe former
Minneapolis fllnger simply toyed with
the amateurs. 11 la surely a speedy
ball pitcher and with his fast one
breaking perfectly ow the corners the
youngsters were completely baffled.
Not a man reached first In three In
nings. "If the Commission goes against me
I'll buy tbat fellow. that's all there
Is to it," said McCredle tonight. "St.
Louis is sweet on Burch. the young
Texas catcher and I possibly can work
him In on the deal. But neither
President Baum nor myself see where
Portlsnd ran possibly lose out."
President Baum believes every team
In the leagu will be stronger than
In 1911. wltli the possible exception af
the Oaks, where Sharpe will have an
entire new Inrleld to build up. Hogan
Informed Baum that h would carry SI
men to Sacramento for the opening,
hoodoo or no hoodwv the new Tlgera
Im Ins Catchers Sullivan and Agnew,
IMi.Uers Gray. Whalen. Rossback and
l'llerg: Inrielder Lite hi. and Out
rtel.Vr Bayless. a diminutive Southern
l.eacuer. I.ll. til Impressed the coast
executive as being a shortstop of
wonderful promise.
Weather la sath Bad.
Both Los Angeles and Vernon have
had a tough run of weather and It
t,. E:n to look as though the Beavers
will ie In better condition than the
Seraphs when they cross bats on
April :.
Const league umpires are to meet for
instructions In San Francisco on Fun
tny. March 21. and word to this effect
- has b en forwarded to I'erle Casey, the
Portland arbiter.
"Lefty" Stelger. who worked In three
Innincs ttxlay. allotted a rolltary blngle
nn.l astonished the bleachers by tilting
one over tho fence In his turn at bat.
Steigrr Is a hook baft pitcher. Temple
is apparently going slow for be hasn't
exerted himself In any of the en
rounixn. He was touched for three
hits end the one tally today. Kibble
m second for tbe amateurs annexed
three hits.
Ilrndrrson. Ilarkness and Koeatner
ill heave for the Coasters tomorrow
against the Portland Northwestern
iuad in the final gsine of the Spring
itinerary. Gilligan. Stetger and
Upborne will likely be Impressed Into
service for the Class B recruits.
f.KL riTCIIK.lt INJIKKS AH. St
I-on? I'rars .Miller Slay Xol Be In
Miape to Mart al Season.
PASO ROBLEA Cal- March Zi.
(Special.) The newly-named Seal reg
ulars fared badly again this afternoon
and went down to defeat before the
pesky Yanntgans by a score of to 6,
and maybe those youngsters did not
boast about their victory. ' The regu
lars took a lead of five runs In the first
live Innings and were resting pretty
easy. The Tanntgans fell on Henley,
host ever, and finished up on the crip
pled Miller and cinched the game.
The contest brought out the fact that
' Bullet' Miller has met with an acci
dent already this season and Mana
ger Long Is worrying, fearing that his
strong Ironman may not be In con
dition by tne opening of the season.
Mt:;er hurt, his arm In practice - this
rnornrng and when he went on tbe
mound In H e seventh Inning he could
hardly hurl the ball te the plate. He
stuck It out for two-tiilrds of an In
tuns;. mhl!e the Yannlgans were scor
ing fonr runs, and he was forced to
retire ln favor of Toner.
Ged-on and Mundorff were also on
the hospital list. The former's elbow
Is still bothering Mm and Mundy Is
suffering from a ore shoulder. He
took the mud baths this afternoon and
eNPects to be In the game tomorrow.
There I a big double-header sched
uled here on Sunday with the regu
lar and the Yannlgans taking on the
Paso KnMc. and San Ardo teams.
iMit. h Aiirnan the star of the game
tills afternoon, both at bat and In the
field. He drove out two hit, one of
ti'fm a home run in tne sevenin in
ning, with two men on the sacks, and
he ro re i a world of gmund In the
short field. Tl;e Texan. Mclvor. also
i!rove out t.iree hits out of five times
nr. and one of his drives was a homer
oer the left-field fence.
Tom Raftrry pulled off some hard
rircus catches out In rlrht field. In
fe first Inning he nailed a liner from
. : .
Cochran'a bat right off . his shoetopa.
and In the sixth he backed up to the
right-field fence and pulled down
Berry's skyscraper. Cliff Ireland ar
rived today and Is expected to offici
ate as umpire tomorrow with BUI
Keidy.
SOtCTIIF.RNF.RS HIT II A IX HARTi
Rot! i Vernon anil Lo Angeles Show
Mid-Sea -n Form In Ploy.
LOS ANGELKS. Cal.. March ,JS-
5perlal.) If Vernon and Los Angeles
can hit the ball and score runs against
the Coast League teams as they did to
day against a local nine and the Yan
nlgans. respectively. It will be a fight
between Koran's and Dillon's aggre
gations for the championship.
The Tigers beat the Henry-Cornell ,
Giants, a mixed team of professionals
from other cities getting Into con
dition here. II to 3. this afternoon,
while the Angels were victorious. It
to S, In the morning, playing against a
strong team of youngsters.
Errors were so few as to be negli
gible and Kane and Prashear for the J
Tigers clouted the ball ln mid-season
form, the former getting three hits and
tiie latter two for extra bases. All the
Angels hit the bs!l and against Berry's
good southpaw Levrrenz, too.
Whalen and Castleton did the twirl
ing for Hogan's team and shut out the
Giants, but Riseberg. one of the young
sters, let up In the eighth and allowed
three runs to score. Chech and Halla
played with Berry's Yannlgans.
Lltrhl. Hogan's new lnfleider. played
short and In addition to fielding clean
ly made two hits. Hosp played first
In the absence of Patterson. Drum
niond Brown got back Into the game
behind the bat, having reported late
because of Illness ln his family.
SWAIN'S HITS BRING IN RUNS
Xlck William' Pitchers Invincible
Kxrept to Senator Recruit.
SACRAMENTO. Cal., March ZZ.
(Special.) Cy Swain, the latest acqui
sition to the Sacramento camp from
Vancouver, was the whole show In the
shutout which the Senatora scored over
Nick Williams' Portland Northwest
team this afternoon. He got three of
the five hits gathered by the Senators,
drove In two of the five runs and
scored two himself, besides stealing a
couple of bases.
Swain, big and roly-poly, waa the
only Senator who could solve the bend
ers of the Northwest shooters.
In the first Inning he banged a sin
gle over second, scoring Sheehan from
second. He repeated In the fourth with
O'Rourke on base and acored him.
Lewis fel! ln line with a homer and
sent Swain ln ahead. In the sixth
Swain hit the ball to the left-field
fence and registered on an Infield
grounder by Lewis.
Arrellanes and Baum twirled for the
Senators and showed In good form,
while Daley. Maxmeyer and Armstrong
pitched for Portland. Williams gave all
his youngsters a chaace. working 18 In
the game.
OAKS PIT IT PERFECT BALL
Regulars Beat Yannlgans, 1 0 to 0,
In Game Full of Thrills.
LIVERMORE. Cat,. March 13. (Spe
cial.) ln the practice game here this
afternoon between the regulars and
the Yannlgans of the Oakland Coast
League club, the veterans put up an er
rorless brand of ball, trouncing the
Yannlgans to the tune of 10 to 0. The
features of the game were Mitxe's hit
ting. Leard's baserunnlng. with three
pilfered bags, and Cook's fielding. Per
kins allowed but two hits In the six
Innings he pitched, one being of the
scratch variety. Then O'Loughlln took
up the burden and finished ln fine
shape for the regulars. For the Yan
nlgans. Martlnonl and Bohen heaved
them over, being touched up for a
total of It bingles.
Flater left tonight to Join the
Angela. Manager Sharpe has heard
nothing from Bert Delmas, but expects
him to report soon.
Athletes Object to Sunday Games.
NEW TOR K, March !3. George
Bonhag. distance runner, said Fred
erick Thompson, all-around champion,
may not compete in two of the chief
events of the Olympic games at Stock
holm next Summer, because tbey are
scheduled for Sundays. Both athletes
have religioua scruples against Sunday
games, and It la said that Bonhag may
decldo not to contest In the 1000
meter run scheduled for Sunday, July
T. while Thompson may not take part
In the pentathlon on the same date and
five events of the decathlon on Sun
day. July It.
Minor Baseball
THE Hillsdale baseball team, one
of the leading semi -pro nines of
last season, has been reorganised under
the name of Tlmms-Cress Company.
The Portland paint house of that name
will support the team thla season. Jack
Randall, an ex-univrrslty player, will
act as manager, while C. F. Duffy, of
last year's team, will act acaln as cap
tain. The lineups probably will be as fol
lows: Swarty, Tauscher and Gray,
pitchers; Duffy, first: Robbins, second;
McDonald, third; SnelU shortstop; C.
Rleeg. catcher, and Randall, Hlncka,
Waldron. Nancy and Novack ln the
Held. The nine will have Its first prac
tice game with the 0.-W. R. A N. today.
It Is still booking a few out of town
games, which may be arranged by writ
ing to C. F. Duffy. 2SS Morrison street,
The Portland Cuba would like to
play some good faat team on April 7.
out of town. Dates for the latter part
of May are still open, and games can
be arranged by writing to John Swlnt.
care of Garrett A .Young, Manchester
building. '
The Oregon - Washington General
Offices baseball team has been organ
ised, and Sol Rtchenbach chosen man
ager. Rlchenbach. because of hla
knowledge of players, thinks tbat he
will be able to place a strong team In
the field, and one which will be able
to give a scientific exhibition of base
ball. He Is now drawing up a schedule
which will Include Oswego, Mount
Angel. St. Paul. Cascade Locks. As
toria. Tillamook and a number of other
teams of Western Oregon. Teams wish
ing games should write to the manager,
tu3 Wells-Fargo building.
The Portland Maroons will play the
postponed game with the Holladay nine
today at the Columbus Club field. The I
Maroons will line up aa follows: Wln
terbotham and Donaldson, pltohers;
Mullen, catcher: Harris, first; Dotty
and Manning, aecond: Duncomd. short;
Davis, tbtrd: lirlggs. left field; Mullen,
renter, and Due be r. right.
The F. E. Watkina nine la in the Held
again with a team which is expected
to be stronger than ever. With the
addition of Ootham to the battery, and
Carrie. Martyn and Grueman to the
fields. It will be ready for any out-of-town
game. Games may be arranged
by writing to F. Mitchell. 40 Sixth
street, whose phone number Is A 39a.
tt It announced front Toronto that expert
menta In traitrg rla- roads th a evlutlon
et "tannic arid" will be conducted br W. A.
MrUii. prevlnetal enclneer of hla-hwsys.
during tbs cemlnf apnng and gammer.
BEAVER RECRUITS WHO ARE
SQUAD.
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3 CLUBS LOOK LIKE
FLAG CONTENDERS
Portland, San Francisco and
Vernon Appear as Most
Formidable Teams.
BEAVERS STRONG AS EVER
.McCredle' . Aggregation Mar Kven
Prove to Be Better Than Was
. 1912 Tram Happy Hogan
Heavily Reinforced.
BI ROSCOE FAWCETT.
SANTA MARIA. Cal.. March 13.
Special.) Just how elx teams can he
first dlvlsloners in a sexagonal circuit.
Is the problem over which Coast League
baseball fans, all ' the way from the
new Broadway bridge to Doyle's camp
on the south, are pondering. Every
skipper in the Paolflc Coast League Is
claiming the perennial Spring pennant
and undoubtedly when Captain Amund
son sighted the southernmost pole he
found six conversational gonfalons
fluttering o'er the Ice wastes and lichen.
Doping out league races before the
seaaon la rather Idle business, but with
three weeks of the preliminary skir
mishing done away with and most of
the aquad In fighting trim, a little
glance across the landscape will serve
to refresh lagging memories.
Portland. San Francisco and Vernon
seem to be the contenders Portland,
because Manager McCredle's henchmen
look practically as formidable as ln
111. San Francisco lecause Long has
assembled a star collection, that ought
to be up In any minor league race, and
Vernon because Hap Hogan has all of
his 1911 stars with lilm reinforced in
his weaker spots by a new backstop,
Sullivan and three new heavers Wha
len. Rollback and Dollie Gray.
Sears Has Hard Task.
Bud Sharpe, of the Oaks, confidently
expects to be one-two In the race, but
Sharpe has a much bigger task ahead
of him than most critics Imagine. He
will have his old batterymen and out
field In the arena, but has an entirely
new Infield to build up. Sharpe will
be on first himself and should be an Im
provement over last season: Leard. the
Seattle second sacker, seems to have
copped the keystone berth; Cooke and
Delmas are In line for shortstop while
Hetllng and Hllle are bidding strong
for third. Sharpe may rearrange this
Innerwork defense, but all three afore,
mentioned ' first division prospectlves,
loom stronger In the mld-section than
the Oak a.
Furthermore Sharpe will be. doing his
first service as manager of a club and
no matter how smart a fellow he Is,
It will take him some time to pick up
those seemingly innocent flotall of an
opponent's plsy. which Wolverton had
at hi" finger tips last season.
Dillon's Los Angeles Seraphs hsre
had very little practice, because of in
clement weather, but the Silver-topped
Fox has sort o' doped out bis lineup
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NOW MEMBERS OF THE ROADSTER
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as follows: Dillon at first; Page at sec
ond; Howard at short: Metzger at third
and Lobcr. Daly, Heltmuller and Core
ln the gardens.
Los Angeles has swooped in a flock
of pitchers of whom the best known are
Flater of the Oaks, and Slagle and
Chech, of the American Association.
Both of these were great pitchers, but
Manager Mike Kelley admitted to an
: Eastern writer that ho let them ro be
cause they were sliding down the to
boggan that loads to the minors. Tozer,
N'agle and Leverenx and Knx are also
on the staff. Smith. Brooks and Boles
will do the receiving, so there will be
no strengthening there. Brooks must
have improved wonderfully in the last
year, for he was released by Spokane
after a thorough trial In 1910.
Patsy O'Rourke at Sacramento Is say.
Inir little, perhaps because Patsy Is still
up In the air concerning several addi
tions, which he expects from the Boston
Americans tp make his staff complete.
From the present sizing. Patsy Is to
have a scrappy hunch, but not one
which will threaten seriously the win
ners ln tbe 1911 race. Miller, a recruit
who has not been hitting as Danzig did
a year ago, goes In at first: Patsy will
be on second or short; Tommy Sheehan.
released by Portland, on third, with a
new man ln the vacant hole.
Sacramento's outfield. Swain, Madden,
Van Bnren. Mahoney, Helster and oth
ers, will be fair, but unless Boston
gives Catcher Thomas back to the Sen
ators, they are to bo considerably
weaker this thau last season.
.teals Look Formidable.
The San Francisco Infield probably
will find Jackson, a new man. at first;
Captain Mohler at second: McArdle at
short, and Corhan, late- of the White
Sox. a grand fielder but a weak sticker,
at third. Of the new faces in the out
field. Hartley should prove a good
cleanup hitter of the Plug Brodie type,
but he Is said to be as graceful and
light on his brogans as a dredgo ln a
mill pond. Powell will be hack and
Mclvor. a fair ball player, likely will
weather the elimination. Inasmuch as
Long has named him business manager.
San Francisco has a good pitching
staff, with Jess Baker, the southpaw.
probably .the most notable addition,
but when It is recalled that Long had
Just as good an assortment last Spring,
yet landed ln fifth place, some of the
sting will be taken from the Golden
Gate claims to cockiness.
Portland may not be as strong as In
1911. but from present Indications the
reverse will prove true. McCredle him
self is something of a human barom
eter, and he is feeling 100 per cent
better than last Spring, say local base,
ball followers. Had Rodgers been ln
the game all season the sailing would
have been comparatively smooth, and
remember. Captain BUI Is back ln the
harness as robust as ever and looking
25 per cent improved. Lindsay, a faster
and more valuable man than Sheehan,
will be at third. The shortstop situa
tion Is open, but safe to remark, unless
the youthful Incumbent shows class AA
form at the start. McCredle will have
an older head aboard train Inside of
a fortnight from April 2.
The catching staff undoubtedly will
be superior, if Fisher Is shoved west
ward, and even though Steeb and Sea
ton go from the hurling array, Gilli
gan. Temple and Stelger should Infuse
sufficient strength to put the squad up
to 1911 form. . Buddy Ryn will be
minus ln the outfield, but this boy
Doane has been tearing basehits off at
a terrific pace in preliminary games,
and we believe will prove a worthy
successor to the famous Buddy. He Is
fast and has a better arm than Ryan.
Rapps at first. Krueger and Chad
bourne In the outfield, and the three
veteran pitchers, Koestner, Henderson
and Harkness, are in shape for a good
year's work.
New Club Is Launched.
With a game that ought to defeat
opponents, even If the team can not,
the "Mighty Michigan Wildcats." rep
resenting the Michigan Auto Company,
was organized yesterday. Wayne Lewis,
for three seasons manager of the Mont
avllla Cubs, has been elected manager
of the new team. Hans Oravell. a well,
known local twirler. will do most of
the slab work. Cully Hayworth will
captain and catch for the team. -
T OF
OF 1912, GRY
Billy Evans Takes Peep Into
Future of Baseball's Pos
sible Wonders.
RECRUIT ROLE IMPORTANT
Work of $22,500 Beauty In Marty
O'Toole May Receive Naught but
Parsing Notice Now "Money
Stuff Bad for Players.
t BY BILLY EVANS,
(Major League Umpire.)
The addition of one or two star ball
players often make a pennant-winning
possibility out of a club regarded as
only ordinary. Is It any wonder then
that so much attention Is paid every
! Spring to the new recruits? Is it any
wonder that major league club owners
spend thousands and thousands of dol-
ars on untried material, hoping the
harvest wil produce a couple of players
able to step at the major league pace?
What recruits will prove the Alex
anders and Greggs of 1912? At the
present the fans are being regaled
with news from the training quarters,
exploiting the many valorous deeds of
the new recruits. These stories read
good to the enthusiasts, give them a
touch of the Spring fever, and make
them hanker for the opening of tha
season; but after all, they prove very
little as to the relative merits of tho
various players. They must go the
route in the big show before fandom
will accept them as regulars.
If one could believe all that is being
written about the new players, it
would be necessary to order 16 pen
nants at once. However, many a young
ster who Is getting lots of attention
will draw a return ticket shortly be
fore the opening of the season. Many
will show ability but will lack the
experience. A few more years ln train-
l ing off the rough edges will make a
j star of many a young player who will
oe turnea loose mis spring. inure
fore it behooves any new player who
is sent to a minor league club for more
seasoning, not to get discouraged, as
many of the present-day stars have
gone through just such an experience.
Great Player Takes Bis; Part. '
There is no denying the prominent
part a really great player can take In
the success of a ball club. Joe Jackson
and Vean Gregg, two sensational re
cruits who made good right off the
reel, have added untold strength to the
Cleveland club. Jackson, by his all
around work, has won many a game
that might otherwise have gone into
the discard. Vean Gregg, by his mas
terly pitching, has annexed many a vic
tory to the Cleveland club's Win total
that probably would have gone into the
games lost column. It Is almost Im
possible to realize what part high-class
pitching plays ln the success of a club.
Not only does It make the getting of
runs a very difficult matter for the
opposition, but incidentally it inspires
a confidence In the team that is sadly
lacking when some heaver of mediocre
ability Is on the mound.
At the opening of tho National
League season last year, while the
prowess of the Philadelphia club was
much respected, still few picked
Dooln's aggregation as possible pen
nant winners. Had not fate been
mighty unkind to the peppery leader
it Is very likely the two Philadelphia
clubs would have battled for the
world's championship last Fall. Three
players who were given mighty little
consideration in "the before the battle
dope" figured prominently In the won
derful allowing of the Phillies against
the most adverse circumstances.
No pitcher In the National League
proved more troublesome to the oppo
sition last' year than Grover Alexan
der. His running mate, Chalmers,
also won many a contest through
high-class work on the mound. Few
batters were more feared by rival
pitchers than big Luderus, who
starred at first base for Dooin. His
specialty was breaking up ball -games.
He delivered many a hit in a pinch,
and cracked out many a four-base
wallop at an opportune moment that
figured in the result in many a game.
Little consideration was given these
three recruits prior to the opening of
the season. Yet the deeds of the trio
are a matter of history, and this Spring
Phllly supporters are basing much of
their hopes on- a similar showing by
Alexander. Chalmers" and Ludorus.
Spring training, aside from getting
the men into condtion for the long
grind, gives the management a chance
to get a line on the future greats. To
the 'uninitiated it often seems as if
the Spring training trip was a waste
of much time and money. Such a be
lief always is evidence that they have
not figured out the possibilities and
benefits to be derived from the work
outs ln the South.
Maay Big Salaried Ones Fall.
It Is a strange' fact that, as a rule,
the players for whom major league
club owners pay the most deliver the
least. Of course, there are exceptions,
but there are any number of players
who once commanded almost fabulous
figures as minor leaguers who are
back ln the bushes after a brief trial
ln the big show. It is hard to under
stand Buch a condition, yet it exists.
It would seem these minor leaguers,
who shine so brilliantly ln their own
eompany and who so Impress wise
scouts that they recommena tne pay
ing of fancy prices, should have no
trouble making good. Yet baseball
records reveal failures by the sqore.
Naturally when a big price Is paid for
some recruit, such a sale brings that
young man into much prominence and
causes his name to be played up in the
headlines on every sport page, from
the smallest hamlet to the biggest city.
Whether the advance stuff makes tha
public expect a great deal more than It
should, or whether It makes the player
feel he must show a greater amount of
ability than he possesses Is a problem
yet to be solved. Yet there is no get
ting away from the fact that very of ten
much-touted players fall away below
expectations. There is a reason, of
course, but it is hard to decipher.
The Pittsburg club paid $22,500 for
Marty O'Toole last year. It is ques
tionable If any player ever had the
baseball spotlight hit .him stronger.
Fans figured a.pitcher who could com
mand such unheard-of figures must
surely be a yonder. Marty O'Toole Is
undoubtedly a great pitcher. Yet it is
a good bet that amy number of fans
have had that $22,500 Impressed so
strongly on them that phenomenal
feats performed by O'Toole will not
receive more than passing attention.
Any time he does anything out of the
ordinary fans will only regard such a
feat as one hat should be performed
by a 122,500 beauty. If some pitcher
who had not been touted so strongly
In the advance notices performed the
same feat his name would be on the
lips of every fan.
I really don't think a young player
i
1
NOW
could have anything worse happen to
him than to be purchased by some
major league club for a fancy salary.
There seems to be a hoodoo connected
with the big money stun. There are
any number of players who can bear
witness to this, among them Jack
Thoney, Heine Berger, Rube Marquard,
Russell Blackburn, Rube Benton, and
a host of others. The big figures paid
for these players cause fandom to ex
pect too much and make the player
feel as if he must show away above
par from the very outset. As a result
he tries too hard, gets out of his stride
and instead of making a high-class
showing he fails to display even medi
ocre ability. Very often such a reversal
of form causes a loss of confidence and
loss of confidence means a trip back to
the old folks. Such stars as Ty Cobb.
Walter Johnson, Hans Wagner, Christy
Mathewson, Nap Lajoie. and many-others,
cost their clubs very little money.
They came unheralded, but soon won
fame by their deeds.
' It is a mighty difficult proposition
to pass up a minor league star whose
showing caused you to pass over ln
the neighborhood of 10,000 in real
money. Many a manager would have
parted with Rube Marquard. but not
Johnny McGraw. He held tight to the
311,000 beauty when Marquard was be
ing referred to as the prize 30-cent
lemon. McGraw's judgment finally was
vindicated by the work of Marquard
last Summer," when his pitching helped
the Giants to the pennant.
Star ball players are a mighty scarce
article that is why Jimmy Callahan
Is sticking to Blackburn, who cost Chi
cago $8000; also why Cincinnati Is hold
ing tight to Rube Benton, who cost tho
Reds a similar amount. On the form he
showed in the Cincinnati-Cleveland se
ries last year, I would say Benton had
arrived. No wonder major league club
owners closely are following the work
of the men ln the South, and hoping
the crop may produce a few Cobbs, La
Joles or Wagners.
STOVALL GETS A PUCE
I TEXXANT AXD DANZIG TO BE
TRADED BY ST. LOCIS.
Bill Stcen Makes Hit With Cleve
land Sport Writers and Buddy
Ryan Is Assured Berth.
Two Pacific Coast League players of
1911 are aspirants for the guardian
ship of the Initial pillow for the St.
Louis Browns this season. However,
two other recruits have intentions on
the same position, while one writer
jabs a pen through the hopes of the
quartet by calmly naming George
Stovall as the man who has the berth
cinched.
Babe Danzig, of Sacramento, and
Tommy Tennant, of San Francisco, are
the Coasters trying to unseat the
veteran Stovall. However, neither
Tennant nor Danzig are highest in favor
with Manager Bob Wallace. Cross and
Criger, who have undertaken the task
of weeding out the rookies. Miller,
the youngster of the quintet of can
didates, is touted as the comer. . The
Investigating trio has placed Its stamp
of approval upon Miller, and declares
that he will make a name for himself
in fast company In the near future.
The fifth man of the Brown squad is
Kutina. whom they expect to convert
into a catcher.
Wallace Is trying to make a trade
with some of the clubs weak at the
first corner, and expects to dispose of
at least one of the Coast boys within
a few days.
Cleveland critics are depending on
the pitching staff of the Naps for
diamond success during the 1912 sea
son. In every summary of possibilities
Vean Gregg, ex-Portland slabster, is
mentioned first on the list, and those
who forbear to mention other pitchers
predict that he will have a highly suc
cessful season. Gregg, Krapp, Kaler,
Swindell. Steen. Blanding, Mitchell,
George, James and Baskette is the line
up Nap fans are depending upon to
develop into one of the greatest twirl
ing squads of the American League.
That Steen is to be figured may be
gathered from the following, printed
in the Cleveland Leader:
"Steen Is a highly polished pitching
article. There are no flaws in his
system. He pitches like a master of
the art. He doesn't waste a particle
of motion. He delivers the ball with a
snap of his wrist .which Is puzzling.
One. never realizes that the ball is
traveling rapidly until It smacks in
the catcher's glove."
Concerning Ryan, the writer says:
"Ryan is an experiment. In trials to
date, in his movements both in the
field and at the bat he has shown just
enough to cause Manager Davis virtual
ly to decide upon him to play right
field. That's rather fair evidence of
the impression he has made on the
boss."
"Pretty lucky for Ryan that they are
going to work him in at right at the
start," is the way Fielder A. Jones.
Northwestern League president and
former White Sox leader, received the
news of Ryan's Cleveland berth. "Lett
field at Cleveland is a bad one for a
man just breaking into the majors.
The sun just strikes the field in the
afternoon to make it hard to judge the
flips properly."
"Gabby" Street, former San Fran
cisco backstop and hero of the Wash
ington's Monument catching episode,
reports that in Ray Caldwell, High
lander heaver, be has found a man
who will be one of the greatest pitch
ers of all time. Street says that Cald
well has almost as much speed as
Walter Johnson, has a curve the Wash
ington man lacks, and perfect control,
a combination that will make Caldwell
one of the greatest ever.
Mike Lynch paraded his Northwest
ern Tigers before Tacoma fans the
other day in the last free workout of
the season. The crowd equaled the
attendance at many league games.
Amateur Athletics.
The Lincoln High cross-country run
ners for the interscholastic"meet will
be Smith. Beach, Varkson, Xewhoff and
Hamlin, according to the final tryout
yesterday over the official course. The
date of the run has been changed and
will be held April 6. Instead of April
13. as was at first planned. Because
they failed to show up for the first
elimination run neither Tuerck, McKay
nor Gans will be in the race for the
school, although some think that these
are as good men as Lincoln has.
e
The University of Washington will
enter crews in the Vancouver. B. C, re
gatta in August, according to Trainer
Connibear. of that Institution. Singles,
doubles and fours will be entered in all
probability.
e i
Pacific University will be met in a
second Indoor track and field meet at
the Portland Y. M. C A. next Friday
night, by teams from the above insti
tution. The Y. M. C. A. won the last
events and Pacific will come back
strong and try and retrieve lost honors.
The W. P. Fuller nine of the Com
mercial League took part of a game
from the Jefferson High team yester
day, the score being 12 to 8 In favor
of the Fullers when the game, was
stopped by the rain. Both teams missed
their regular pitchers.
The Rose City Parks took a four
inning contest from the O.-W. R. & N.
nine yesterday, being In the lead by
one run, the only one of the game, when
riuvius Interfered in the fourth round.
SHARPE IS UNLIKE
LEADER WOLVERTON
Oaks Wonder How New Man
Will Get Along for He
Has Peculiarities.
MANAGER GOOD .FIELDER
Slzeup of Oilier Teams in Pacific
Coayt League Leads to Predic
tions Seals Lineup Now Al
most Fixed Few Exceptions,
BY. HARRY B. SMTTir.
SAX FRAXCISCO, Cal., March 23.
(Special.) Oakland fans arc not at all
sure that their club is ftoing to do as
well under Manager Bud Sharpe as was
the case with Harry Wolverton at the
helm. Of course It is hardly fair to
be judging Sharpo before the Coast
League has turned a wheel, but at the
same time, you can't keep your dyed-in-the-wool
fan from doing a lot of
guessing as to what will happen in the
pennant race.
Sharpe, although a likeable fellow,
is of the opposite type from Wolverton.
The new managrer of the Yankees is
aggressive, every inch a fighter and
a man who doesn't like to lose. Sharpo
la anything but aggressive. You
wouldn't pick him out from among his
ball players as the manager, and he is
so mild tempered that he hardly has a
word to say.
It is questionable whether ball games
can be won with such a temperament,
and that is why the fans of Commuter
ville are questioning whether the
change will bring about good results.
Sharpe Good Fielder.
As a fielder, Sharpe appears to be an
improvement over any man who has
recently been tried out by Oakland
for that place. With the stick ho
doesn't appear to be so very strong, if
one is to judge from the exhibition
games in which he takes part.
All and all, it can't be said that the
Oaks promise to startle the world at
large. That inrleld will miss Cutshaw
and Wares, although Leard and Cook
promise fairly. Although the Delmas
Flater trade was consummated, tho
last heard from Delmas was to the ef
fect that he would remain In Modesto
and handle the Reds. Delmas, of
course, is a veteran ball player, but at
the same time, he probably would
strengthen the Oakland club.
Hetllng and Hllle are rivals for third
base, with Hetllng showing to the best
advantage. Zacher, Hoffman and Coy
of the outfield appear to have the call.
Both Coy and Hoffman are stinging the
ball and Zacher has been pulling oil
a world of fielding stunts.
Mltze Stroug Player.
Mitze will be the strength in tha
catching department, although Rohier,
the new man, looks to be promising
material and is spokan of kindly by
the scribes who have watched him
closely.
Harry Abies should be the mainstay
in the twirling line. Martlnonl is well
advanced and the new men like Par
kin and Durbin, the latter a south
paw, have given indications of being
able to make the team.
If exhibition games count for much,
the Oaks will have a hard fight to
place In the first division. This week
they were almost beaten by the Uni
versity of California and a little later
they came close to being swamped by
the Santa Clara College. Of course the
two college teams are at the top speed,
while the professionals, are naturally
a little slower in developing.
The next week will tell the story
since the club will come along fastet
than for the first three weeks.
Seals Almost Picked.
We have a good line by this time
on the men who will make up the San
Francisco Club that is, all except the
out held.
The infield will consist of Jackson
at first; Mohler and Gedeon. second;
McArdle, short; Roy Corhan. third, and
possibly Joe Altman as utility inlielder.
Berry, Schmidt, who finally signed
his contract after insisting that he
would not join the club, and Dutch
Auer, will compose the catching staff.
In the box there will be Frank Miller,
Cark Henley, Wynn Noyes, probablj
Willard Melkle. Charlie Fanning, if he
gets in good shape, and Baker. Toner
the spitball artist, has a bad arm. and
Taylor doesn't seem able to condition
himself. Strand, also, probably will ho
released to one of the Northwestern
League clubs.
Sheely Ooes Back to Spokane.
New Sheely. the bix youngster from
Spokane, has been turned back to that
club with u reserve contract. Sheely
Is a sweet hitter, but he has not the
experience to be able to field his po
sition as well as Jackson. Long thinks
well of him, however, and may be able
to put him to use another season.
In the outfield, Long has already
announced that Johnson has cinched
a job because of his hitting and field
ing. I don't see how they are going to
keep Wat Powell off the team, and
Tom Rafftery is another man alto
gether too good to throw into the dis
card. Mclvor has already been named
as business manager of the team, which
probably means his retention. Lon
has said that lie will hold five out
fielders, which will leave another job
for either Chick Hartley or Alundorff.
Hartley, on account of his hitting, may
be given the preference-over Mundorft.
although' it is hard to tell what Is in
Long's mind.
The regular infield and a couple of
the outfielders will be sent back tu
San Francisco In advance of the bal
ance of the squad. Long wants to
accustom the inficlders to the grass
diamond. He is sending the outfielders
because of that short right-field fence,
and also because of the wind, of which
they must take note. The doors of
the park will be barred, however, dur
ing practice, so that the fans will have
to wait until Tuesday to see their fa
vorites. The scheme of sending the
men to the park is a good thing, as
there will be so many strangers.
Pitching Honors Divided.
The honor of pitching the opening
game of the season at present rests
between Baker, the southpaw, and Hen
ley. Henley has been opening-day
pitcher, but If Long thinks that Baker
Is in the best shape, he will be the
man used.
Bill Reidy, from reports, is working
wonders with the twirlers. He is teach
ing them something of change of pace.
Reidy is a master at change of pace,
and that is something with which the
ordinary baseball pitcher, 1 find, is not
much acquainted.
Nobody seems to know just what sort
of a compromise was arranged between
Long and Schmidt, as no announce
ment has been made. Long says
Schmidt signed his original contract,
but it is likely that the catcher, when
he is heard from, will have another
story to tell.