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amead17 · 01-03-2026, 10:34 AM

SPORTING TIMES — January 31st, 1914
By Arthur H. Leland

Trade Market Awakens After Draft as Clubs Shift Their Pieces

With the draft safely entered into the record books, the base ball trade market, long quiet through the early winter, burst suddenly into activity. Clubs across the leagues moved with purpose, seeking by trade what the draft board could not provide, and positioning themselves for the coming campaign.

The first movement came on December 16th, 1913, when the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Browns exchanged reserve material yet to see service at the top level. Detroit sent 23-year-old centre fielder Leo Callahan and 20-year-old left-handed pitcher Charlie Boardman to St. Louis, receiving 31-year-old right-hander Ad Lankford in return.

Five days later, on December 21st, the Browns were again involved, this time dealing 30-year-old right-hander Pat Ragan to the Chicago Cubs. In exchange, St. Louis acquired 23-year-old third baseman Ray Bates and 19-year-old first baseman Sam Covington. Ragan carried with him a heavy workload from last season, posting a 10–25 record with a 4.63 earned run average across 37 starts and 47 appearances.

Christmas Eve saw another notable exchange, as the Cubs sent 23-year-old left fielder Elmer Miller to the Tigers. Chicago received veteran right-hander Russ Ford, aged 30, along with 17-year-old left fielder Merito Acosta. Ford had been steady a year ago, finishing with a 12–10 mark, a 3.54 earned run average, and 31 total appearances.

As the year closed, the Philadelphia Athletics entered the market. On December 28th, they dealt 23-year-old right fielder Ernie Walker to the Cincinnati Reds, bringing back 30-year-old centre fielder Rebel Oakes, who appeared in 117 games last season and batted .273.

The new year brought further movement between the same clubs. On January 1st, 1914, Philadelphia sent 23-year-old first baseman Harry Williams to Cincinnati in exchange for 35-year-old catcher Charlie Graham. Williams struggled at the plate last season, hitting .198 over limited starts, while Graham appeared in 21 games and finished with a .235 average.

Mid-January again saw the St. Louis Browns active, as on January 12th they traded 28-year-old third baseman Todd Allen and 22-year-old catcher Hank Severeid to the Brooklyn Robins. In return, St. Louis received 28-year-old centre fielder Shano Collins, who batted .229 across 92 games last year. Allen had been productive in limited duty, hitting .333 in 48 games.

The most recent transaction came on January 14th, when the Cincinnati Reds sent 30-year-old right fielder Johnny Bates to Brooklyn. The Reds received 23-year-old catcher Ernie Krueger and 23-year-old right-handed pitcher Dizzy Dismukes. Bates had been an everyday man a season ago, appearing in 151 games and posting a .278 batting average.

Thus, as January draws to a close, the calm of the early winter has given way to steady maneuvering, and clubs now turn their attention toward spring, hopeful that these exchanges will bear fruit when the new season begins.

01-03-2026, 10:34 AM	#611
amead17 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9,114	SPORTING TIMES — January 31st, 1914 By Arthur H. Leland Trade Market Awakens After Draft as Clubs Shift Their Pieces With the draft safely entered into the record books, the base ball trade market, long quiet through the early winter, burst suddenly into activity. Clubs across the leagues moved with purpose, seeking by trade what the draft board could not provide, and positioning themselves for the coming campaign. The first movement came on December 16th, 1913, when the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Browns exchanged reserve material yet to see service at the top level. Detroit sent 23-year-old centre fielder Leo Callahan and 20-year-old left-handed pitcher Charlie Boardman to St. Louis, receiving 31-year-old right-hander Ad Lankford in return. Five days later, on December 21st, the Browns were again involved, this time dealing 30-year-old right-hander Pat Ragan to the Chicago Cubs. In exchange, St. Louis acquired 23-year-old third baseman Ray Bates and 19-year-old first baseman Sam Covington. Ragan carried with him a heavy workload from last season, posting a 10–25 record with a 4.63 earned run average across 37 starts and 47 appearances. Christmas Eve saw another notable exchange, as the Cubs sent 23-year-old left fielder Elmer Miller to the Tigers. Chicago received veteran right-hander Russ Ford, aged 30, along with 17-year-old left fielder Merito Acosta. Ford had been steady a year ago, finishing with a 12–10 mark, a 3.54 earned run average, and 31 total appearances. As the year closed, the Philadelphia Athletics entered the market. On December 28th, they dealt 23-year-old right fielder Ernie Walker to the Cincinnati Reds, bringing back 30-year-old centre fielder Rebel Oakes, who appeared in 117 games last season and batted .273. The new year brought further movement between the same clubs. On January 1st, 1914, Philadelphia sent 23-year-old first baseman Harry Williams to Cincinnati in exchange for 35-year-old catcher Charlie Graham. Williams struggled at the plate last season, hitting .198 over limited starts, while Graham appeared in 21 games and finished with a .235 average. Mid-January again saw the St. Louis Browns active, as on January 12th they traded 28-year-old third baseman Todd Allen and 22-year-old catcher Hank Severeid to the Brooklyn Robins. In return, St. Louis received 28-year-old centre fielder Shano Collins, who batted .229 across 92 games last year. Allen had been productive in limited duty, hitting .333 in 48 games. The most recent transaction came on January 14th, when the Cincinnati Reds sent 30-year-old right fielder Johnny Bates to Brooklyn. The Reds received 23-year-old catcher Ernie Krueger and 23-year-old right-handed pitcher Dizzy Dismukes. Bates had been an everyday man a season ago, appearing in 151 games and posting a .278 batting average. Thus, as January draws to a close, the calm of the early winter has given way to steady maneuvering, and clubs now turn their attention toward spring, hopeful that these exchanges will bear fruit when the new season begins.