Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 227, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 September 1912 — CLARKE TO QUIT AS MANAGER OF PIRATES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CLARKE TO QUIT AS MANAGER OF PIRATES

Will Fred Clarke manage the Pittsburg baseball club next year? In some quarters there prevails the belief that Clarke is about to retiro from the game to his ranch and flour mill in the Sunflower state. Fred’s cofatract as manager of the Pittsburg club expires this year. It is not known whether he will renew It or not. It was believed when he last signed that the document was a twoyear affair. It wasn't; it was for one year only—until the end of the 1912 season. It is believed the greatest left fielder that ever lived is growing tired —that he is becoming wearied of the hurlyburly life of baseball —that he believes the time has come when he should settle down with his family to enjoy the good things his many strenuous years of endeavor on the, baseaball diamond have earned for him. Clarke cannot achieve greater honors than are his. He has shown himself to he one of the great leaders of baseball; he has won pennants and also a world’s championship. No greater reward exists for the baseball manager. Clarke has been at the head of the great Pittsburg club since 1901 when, with Wagner, Phillippe, Leach and other stars, he came from Louisville, the Colonels being transferred bodily to the Smoky City. He . has made a name for himself —a name that will live as long as baseball lives. He has made his team a team that has been feared by all others —a team which has always been up front in the National league race. But, all things must come to an end. So must Fred Clarke’s tenure of ofliec as manager of the Pittsburg club be concluded some day. Fred is now past forty and a wealthy man. His wife has been urging him for years to, quit tlie diamond life and settle down. When asked by a baseball scribe the other day as to whether or not he was to retire Clarke was evasive. Finally he stated in reply to the reporter’s repeated inquiries that he might and he might not. This was all that could be learned from him. Much speculation is being indulged In by the baseball fans of Pittsburg and other cities as to who would be Clarke’s successor in the event of his retirement. Some pick Hans Wagner. They base their supposition on the fact that Han 3 Is slowly but surely going back and that a berth as leader of a National league club would be

Just to his liking. Others assert that Hans was never cut out for a manager and, furthermore, that it will beSome time before it will be necessary for the Pirate star to quit the diamond,' as he is now playing one of the best games of bis career. He was a little slow in getting Btarted this season, they say, but sow he is going great

guns. It was only the other day that Johnny McGraw declared that old Honus was still the best ball player on the diamond and McGraw knows a good player about as well as any one connected with the game—possibly a little better.

Manager Fred Clarke of Pittsburg.

Honus Wagner.