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Show PRIESTS HELP KEEP UP MACK'S MACHINE PHILADELPHIA, May 24. Far flung,. from rugged Maine to California of sunshine hnd roses, is the system whereby Manager Connie Mack recruits his young players, the crude matriculates matricu-lates who. m a. few yonrs develop into recognized stars' in tlic baseball firmament. firma-ment. Scouts are recognized as an institution institu-tion in baseball. Salaries that would make the judges of the august supremo court a trifle jealous aro annually paid to men whoso ability to appraisG a baseball player is tho best asset that they own. One day during (he winter season, when the stove circuit hears M10 tales of how these players aro secured, a western manager, in a burst of confidential, confi-dential, information, told a writer in St. Louis (hat the greatcsi scouting system in tho world was tho ono held by Connie Mack. To prove how Manager Mack obtains the stars whom he secures Manager Bresnahan said: ."Why, thero is bard-ly bard-ly a priest front cbasl; to coast who does not recommend a good player whom thoy observe io Connie." One day last week a player arrived in Philadelphia who is a living proof that .Roger was not amiss in his statement state-ment as to tho inlenso interest which ihe clergy takes in the fortunes of Cornelius ' MeGillieuddy. This living, breathing proof is a great big chap named Elmer Leonard C feet 3'. inches of pitcher, who already looks as if he might pfovc a splendid addition to the best staff of twirlers in cither league. Leonard comes from California, and lie becamo known to .tho Mackman through the inflttenco of tho president of tho college he attended, Brother Joseph. St. Mary's, tho same college whero Harry Krause was a' sensation, is tho alma mater of Leonard. The' big follow was 11 student at the institution for throo years, and ho sliono so rcsplcndontlv as a pitcher that he was easily recognized as a coming com-ing major" star. When Leonard was graduated and ho felt that he would hko to take up major league baseball, he conferred with tho president and asked him to whom ho bad better apply. ap-ply. "Go to Connio Mack, if ho will take 3'ou," was tho instant response. Brother Broth-er Joseph wroto of tho prowess of tho young twirlor to Connie, and tho latter immediately said ho wanted him." Leonard took ill early in tho month and was a triflo distrait. For this reason rea-son he postponed his trip overland to join tho champions until last week. Upon his arrival he looked every iuch a twirler. Standing above tho tallest man in the club, ho had a tremendous swing to his arm. He is but 23 years of age and looks tho picture of perfect manhood. In connection with Leonard there is an amusing tale. When tho red sox made the joumc' to the coast for the benefit of tho Ifcdnon hotel and a few way stations, the' Bostons tackled St. Mary's college, Elmer was in tho box. He shut tho sox out, a splondid feat as his teammates were able only to givo him a single run. Manager Donovan, of course, was instantly in-stantly stuck on the chap. Ho went to Leonard and endeavored to sign him. When Pat heard that Connie Muck had the boy he was dumfotiuded to boliovo that the silent could reach out to St. M"ary's college and nab a prize twirler wlio had never been interviewed by a scout. |