Clipping:Horace Fogel official scorer, reporter for the Press
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| Date | Monday, August 2, 1886 |
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| Text | The coming man for manager [of the Athletics] is said to be Mr. Horace S. Fogel, the official scorer of the club, and until recently the base ball editor of the Press. The Sporting News August 2, 1886 the players' brotherhood formed [from the New York correspondent] I am authorized to announce to the base ball public the existence of a protective and benevolent association of base ball players. The necessity for such an association has long been felt by the more thoughtful members of the profession. Under the guidance of the League and American Association the game of base ball in all its departments has unquestionably advanced. It has become popular with the public, and in conse2uent prosperity the players have come in for a fair share. They are probably as well treated, and certainly better paid than ever before, but the control of the associations over their players having been practically absolute, certain abuses have sprung up. With so many and diverse interests to be looked after by the associations, it is not at all strange that the interests of the players have not always received a sufficient considerations. However, well-meaning may have been the intentions of the League legislators and club officials, there was nobody to urge the claims of the players, and it is a fact that these have not infrequently been overlooked. Contract obligations have been repeatedly violated by individual clubs, who in turn have insisted upon a most careful observance of these by the players. A player was once fined for insisting on payment of his salary, which was long overdue. The same man was held under the reserve rule for an entire season, though the club holding him refused either to sign or release him. Another was placed on the blacklist for refusing to play longer after several months' pay were du4e, and there seemed no prospect of its forthcoming. Players have been laid off without pay, though still held subject to the orders of the club, and for no other apparent reason than to curtail expenses. Still others in cases of injuries received have been suspended from the pay roll, though obliged to do duty at the gate. A number of players were blacklisted by the two associations for refusing to break contracts with a rival association, thought the same offence against either of the first two associations would have been considered capital. Others have been blacklisted where there were strong grounds for supposing that the real reason was to satisfy the personal feelings of some club official. The extreme penalty of expulsion has thus been inflicted for comparatively trivial offences. Sometimes even the first principles of justice have been slighted. [illegible] ...operate against the players. In some instances they have been convicted and punished without the formality of a trial, and sometimes even without an opportunity of defence. And so cases might be multiplied where players have been unfairly dealt with by clubs and by the associations. These things have combined to make it apparent to ball players that some scheme for mutual protection was absolutely necessary. The announcement may not be surprising to the public, though it may be unexpected by those more closely connected with the game. It has been forced upon the players, and the only wonder is that its realization has been so long delayed. ... Several prior attempts have been made to organize ball-players, but they have failed partly through inherent defects in the schemes, and principally because they were originated outside of the players, who were naturally afraid of the motives back of them. Last season a well known Philadelphia reporter, doubtless with the best intentions, made such an attempt and failed partly because, in his plan, the beneficial feature was too prominent and the protective not enough so, but principally because the players not being all personally acquainted with the gentleman reasoned--”what are the motives which prompt this display of interest on our behalf?” Again this spring another Philadelphia reporter sent out voluminous letters to players in the different club proposing a wild scheme for the organization of a ball-players' union, the abolition of the reserve and salary limit rule, etc., changes which if carried out would have turned base ball upside down. The young man may have been surprised at the lack of interest displayed by the players, but it was due to the reason already ascribed and to the further facts that the present organization was well under way, and that his scheme did not meet with the endorsement of the conservative members of the fraternity. They don't wish to abolish the reserve rule, because they believe that it is necessary to the prosperity and continued existence of the game. They don't wish to disorganize base ball, but as men of common sense and a fair appreciation of justice they do wish to protect themselves from unjust injury. The means for the accomplishment of this have finally been attained. “The National Brotherhood of Professional Ball Players” is a fact, and the history of its formation is briefly as follows:--Last fall the players of the New York Club met together for the purpose of formulating some scheme of organization. Officers were chosen, committees appointed, correspondence was begun with players in other clubs, and at the beginning of this season everything was in readiness for the installation of the different chapters in the various League clubs. (This organization includes only League players.) Under the supervision of the mother chapter the work has gone bravely on, until at present there is a chapter in every League club. In some cases every player in the club has been enrolled. In others it was thought best for the present to omit certain names. In one or two instances desirable men have held off, of their own option, but with this last exception the organization embraces the entire intelligent and reputable element of the profession. It includes among its members such men as Ned Hanlon, John Morrill, Jim O'Rourke, Arthur Irwin, Dave Rowe, Ed. Williamson, Al McKinnon and Cliff Carroll. There is an array of names of which any organization may be proud. The mere publication of that list will insure the confidence and support of the public. This, then, is not a new Union Association. It is no Utopian scheme for the disorganization of the existing order, but it is, as their constitution declares, an association of reputable ball players for mutual protection and benefit. Base ball has nothing to fear. Base ball mangers have nothing to fear so long as they are willing to deal justly with their players. On the contrary, I can see much of good that this brotherhood may accomplish. [an interview of Ward follows] The Sporting Life August 4, 1886 |
| Source | Sporting News |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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