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SPORTING TIMES — April 3rd, 1913
By Samuel T. Kingsley
CLUBS STRIKE LATE BARGAINS AS SPRING CAMPS WIND DOWN
Though the work of spring training has been well under way, it has not prevented certain clubs from making last-minute moves in the hope of fitting one final piece into place before the championship season opens. Two notable trades, completed in late February and early March, show that front offices remained active even as players were sharpening their form on the practice grounds.
On February 27th, the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Naps concluded an exchange that brought a seasoned bat to Detroit. The Tigers sent right-handers Jose Acosta, aged 21, and Brad Hogg, 23, to Cleveland in return for veteran third baseman Art Devlin. Devlin, now 33, enjoyed a strong campaign a year ago, appearing in 148 games and batting .297, figures that suggest he can provide steady service at the hot corner.
A second and more substantial transaction followed on March 3rd, when the St. Louis Cardinals dealt their accomplished second baseman Del Pratt to the Boston Red Sox. Pratt comes off an impressive season in which he played 151 games and posted a .316 batting average. In exchange, St. Louis received a trio of players: right-handed pitcher Bullet Joe Bush, just 20 years of age; catcher Hank Gowdy, 23; and right-hander Wiley Taylor, 24. Gowdy saw considerable action last season, appearing in 98 games, including 40 starts, and finished with a .231 average at the plate.
As camps draw toward their close, these late dealings underline the belief among several clubs that the coming season may hinge on a single timely addition, whether drawn from youth or experience.
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