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War Work, Not Best Choice of Dates andjOther Elements Keep Down Attendance.By J. V. FHZ GERALD.All tilings considered, tite world's series crowds this season were up to expectations. With so many thousands of the young men of the country in the service and so many more working in essential occupations which kept them from getting a day or two off as. in other years' the crowds were surprisingly large. They probably would have been bigger had President Frazee, of the Red Sox, and President Weeghman, of the Cubs, stood ill higher favor in baseball circles.Frazee and Ban Johnson grot along: about as happily as a couple of strange bulldogs, and Weeg-hman doesn't hold too high a hand in National League councils. The result was that the dates allotted, were such as to cut considerably into the attendance figures. With three games played in Chicago and the remainder In Boston, the series could have opened a few days later with results.The original date set for the opening1 In Chicago was a Wednesday. Rain prevented a game that day, and it was not until the following- day that the opening contest could be played. Saturday was the big day from the standpoint of attendance. Had the series opened on Friday it would have been possible to hav# played on two holidays in Chicago. Saturday and Sunday games there would have made for a bis crowd increase.But those who' awarded the dates apparently didn't think of that. Perhaps some one was trying to get even with Frazee, and perhaps some one wasn't any too keen about being of any help to the owner of the Cubs. There would have been time to have opened on Friday, and to have the series finished by the date set by Secretary of War Baker for the members of the championship teams to be on more essential Jobs.Little gossip was heard In Chicago or Boston during the aeries on what is going to happen to Ban Johnson when baseball again resumes Its normal place on the sports' calendar. Frazee announced at the time of the squabble over the closing of the sea-better son that he was gunning for the head of the American League. He isn't saying anything about it just now.It must have been good news to Connie Mack and the other stockholders In the Athletics when the Red Sox made themselves solid for the late world's series. The players Frazee bought last winter and who helped him carry off a pennant and a world’s championship were not entirely paid for in cash at the timey according to reliable information. The series should hasten payment anyhow.Frazee made a wise move when he obtained the Philadelphia stars. Under ordinary conditions the deal would have netted him handsome returns. It made a profitable season for him as it. was and landed another pennant for Boston. They get worried up in the Hub if there isn't a championship ball club around.
Newspaper Details
Washington Post
Washington, Washington-DC, US
Sat, Sep 14, 1918
Page 11
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
NJ, USA 28 May 2020
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