Elmer Flicked Out West to Prospect Fool’s Gold? Chesbro Follows
No later than a week since Elmer Flick and half the stars of the Philadelphia Phillies jumped to the American League, the flashy rightfielder was traded by the Athletics to the Los Angeles Angels, members of the California League, for catcher Hearn and young pitchers Glynn and Smith. Flick, 25, hit the stride of his brilliant career in the National League last year but now finds himself with the Angels in a minor league. Connie Mack, manager, general manager, and part-owner of the fledgling Athletics in the upstart American League, may have feared a reprimand from league offices regarding his heavy-handed raid of the Phillies last week and quickly dealt Flick to obscurity for unproven prospects. However, a knee injury suffered in the last of September may have slowed down the slugger. Flick, who now faces an unknown future, hit .343 and led the National League with 18 triples. A reunion with the great Lajoie was never meant to be.
In another deal to the Golden State, Pittsburgh hurler
Jack Chesbro was traded to the Sacramento club for third baseman Ganzel and pitcher Sykes*. Chesbro started the year in relief, working off a slow spring and did not allow an earned run in 11 appearances. He assumed a starting role in July when Sam Leever was traded and went 5-8 with a 2.90 ERA.
*-
Author’s note – Interesting that Chesbro’s ex-teammate Rube Waddell, jumped to Los Angeles in real life during the offseason of 1901. In this universe, I'll allow for this change
