Primer Dugout (and link of the day) 3-12-2013

Milwaukee Journal, March 12, 1913:

A veteran of veterans proposes to shine with the Tigers this year—none other than manager Hughie [Jennings] himself. He is taking batting practice with a view to playing the role of “comeback” as far as the sticking end of the game is concerned and acting as chief pinch hitter for the Jungaleers.

I love the term “Jungaleers”. Also, Jennings was 44 by the time the 1913 season started and hadn’t played with any kind of regularity since 1902. As you might expect, he did not become the Jungaleers’ chief pinch hitter.

Primer Dugout (and link of the day) 3-4-2013

New York Tribune, March 4, 1913:

Hugh Jennings, manager of the Detroit Tigers, feels indifferent about the refusal of Sam Crawford, the veteran outfielder, to sign a contract. Hughie intimates that Crawford may be relegated to the bench when he does get in line, in favor of Rabbit Powell, the youngster from St. Joseph, in the Western League.

Sure, Hughie. That’s exactly what you’ll do. You’ll bench a guy who, over the last two seasons, has hit .352/.406/.498 and averaged 57 XBH, 40 SB, 95 runs, and 112 RBI.

Powell, by the way, actually was a pretty good ballplayer. Career OPS+ of 102 in nine seasons, appears to have been a decent center fielder, led the league in triples once. He just wasn’t Sam Crawford.

Primer Dugout (and link of the day) 1-17-2013

Newly-acquired White Sox outfielder Davy Jones, quoted in the January 17, 1913 edition of the Pittsburgh Gazette Times:

“I was sold [by the Tigers] because I had informed Mr. Navin I never would play under [Hughie] Jennings again.
...
Sam Crawford and half a dozen other Tigers have told Mr. Navin the same thing. That is the secret of Sam’s holdout. He demanded that he be traded but Navin wanted too much for him and couldn’t trade, so Sam put his figured so high that the club will be forced to trade him.
...
The slump of the Detroit team last season was due entirely to Jennings’ abuse of the players. He was forever calling us down with the vilest of language.”

Probably didn’t help matters that the pitching staff was sketchy at best and the starting infielders were mediocre ballplayers, apart from Donie Bush.

Primer Dugout (and link of the day) 1-10-2013

El Paso Herald, January 10, 1913:

Oscar Stanage, the stalwart Detroit catcher, is to be the judge of the Tiger pitchers’ fitness to remain upon the mound during the progress of a game. Manager Jennings has so decreed. Heretofore, Hughey has relied upon his own judgment and the persuasive powers of his hurlers.
...
Hughey would [after a conversation with the pitcher] often let the pitcher go back and possibly in the following inning the latter would be hit to all corners of the lot.

I have never before heard of such a thing.