human
But this time it's different. They've got barrels of money behind them, and they're spending it like water. There's one of them named Fleming, whose father is a millionaire many times over, and he seems to have money to burn. They certainly are making big offers to star players all over the country. You saw the way they came at you, and they're doing the same in other places. There isn't a paper that I pick up that doesn't give the name of some big player that they're tampering with. The last one I saw was Altman of the Chicago White Sox. I guess though, that is a wrong steer, for Altman has come out flat for his old team and denies any intention of jumping his contract.
gpt
Bully for Nick! exclaimed Joe.
human
I guess I helped to queer that deal. I saw Westland talking to him, and he seemed to have him going, but I put a few things straight to Nick and he seems to have come to his senses before it's too late.
gpt
There's Munsey of the Cincinnatis, he's left his reservation, continued McRae.
human
He's the crack shortstop of the country. They've got a line out, too, for Wilson of the Bostons, and you know they don't make any better outfielders than he is. In fact, they're biting into the teams everywhere, and none of them know where they're at. If I'd known they were going at it so seriously, and hadn't got so far in my preparations for this trip, I think I wouldn't have gone on this world's tour. It looks to me as though the major leagues would be backed up against the wall and fighting for their lives before this winter's over.
gpt
It may not be as bad as you think, said Joe consolingly.
human
Even if they get a lot of the stars, there will be a great many left. And, besides, they may have trouble in finding suitable grounds to play on.
gpt
But they will, declared McRae.
human
They've got the refusal of first-class locations in every big city of the major league. I tell you, there's brains behind this new league and that's what's worrying me. I don't know whether it's Fleming----
gpt
No, interrupted Joe, smiling contemptuously, as he thought of the dissipated young fellow whom he had thrashed so soundly.
human
It isn't Fleming. He's got money enough, but there's a vacuum where his brains ought to be.
gpt
Then it's his partners, deduced McRae.
human
And their brains with his money make a strong combination.
gpt
Well, comforted Joe,
human
Don't fool yourself, he said earnestly.
gpt
I'm afraid right now there are traitors in the camp!
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Just what I say, replied McRae.
human
I tell you, Joe, somebody's getting in his fine work with our boys and I know it.
gpt
Where's your proof? asked Joe.
human
I hate to think that any of our fellows would welch on their contracts.
gpt
So do I, returned McRae.
human
We've been like one big family, and I've always tried to treat the boys right. I've got a rough tongue, as everybody knows, and in a hot game I've called them down many a time when they've made bonehead plays. But at the same time I've tried to be just, and I've never given any of them the worst end of the deal. They've been paid good money, and I've carried them along sometimes when other managers would have let them go.
gpt
You've been white all right, assented Joe warmly. He recalled an occasion when a muff by a luckless center-fielder had lost a World Series and fifty thousand dollars for the team, and yet McRae had
human
I'm telling this to you, Joe, went on McRae,
gpt
I'll stand by you, Mac, returned Joe,
human
There are three of them, replied McRae.
gpt
Iredell, Curry and Burkett, and all three of them are stars, as you know as well as I do.
human
They're cracks, every one of them, agreed Joe.
gpt
And they're among the last men that I'd suspect of doing anything of the kind. What makes you think they've been approached?
human
A lot of things, replied McRae.
gpt
In the first place, I have noticed that they are stiff and offish in their manner when I speak to them. Then, too, I've come across them several times lately with their heads together, and when they saw me coming they'd break apart and start talking of something else, as if I had interrupted them. Beside that, all three have struck me lately for a raise in salary next season.
human
That's nothing new for ball players,
gpt
No, admitted McRae, an answering smile relieving the gravity of his face for the moment.
human
And I stand ready of my own accord to give the boys a substantial increase on last year's pay because of their winning the pennant. But what these three asked for was beyond all reason, and made me think there was a nigger in the woodpile. They either had had a big offer from somebody else and were using that as a club to hold me up with, or else they were just trying to give themselves a better excuse for jumping.
gpt
How long do their contracts have to run?
human
Iredell has one year more and Curry and Burkett are signed up for two years yet, replied the Giants' manager.
gpt
Of course I could try to hold them to their contracts, but you know as well as I do that baseball contracts are more a matter of honesty than of legal obligation. If a man is straight, he'll keep it, if he's crooked, he'll break it. And you know what a hole it would leave in the Giant team if those three men went over the fence. There isn't a heavier slugger in the team than Burkett, except Larry. His batting average this year was .332, and as a fielding first baseman he's the class of the league.
human
You're right there, acquiesced Joe, as he recalled the ease and precision with which Burkett took them on either side and dug them out of the dirt.
gpt
He's saved a game for me many and many a time.
human
As for Iredell, went on McRae,
gpt
It would certainly break the Giants all up to lose the three of them, agreed Joe.
human
But we haven't lost them yet. Remember that the game isn't over till the last man is out in the ninth inning.
gpt
I know that. You've helped me win two fights this year, Joe, one for the championship of the league and the other for the championship of the world. Now I'm counting on you to help me win a third, perhaps the hardest of them all.
human
Put 'er there, Mac, said Joe, extending his hand.
gpt
Shake--I'm with you till the cows come home.
human
Of course, they'll be willing to put up big money, Joe. You know that already.
gpt
It doesn't make a particle of difference, Mac, how much money they put up, returned the crack pitcher warmly.
human
There isn't enough cash in the U. S. treasury to tempt me.
gpt
I know that, Joe. And I only wish that I could be as certain of the rest of the players.
human
Well, of course, I can't speak for the others. But you can be sure that I'll use my influence on the right side every time. Some of them may weaken and break away, but I doubt very much if they'll be any of your main-stays. If I were you, Mac, I wouldn't let this worry me too much.
gpt
Yes, I know it's getting on my nerves, Joe, because, you see, it means so much to me. But having you on my side has braced me up a good deal,