Clipping:Cincinnati Club ownership 2
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| Date | Sunday, January 16, 1887 |
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| Text | John R. McLean, proprietor of the Cincinnati Enquirer, although not showing on the surfaces, is a strong supporter of base ball, both as a lover of it and recognizing it as a good outdoor attraction for any city. Three years ago, when through bad management of the local club in Cincinnati the public interest began to wane, he set on foot the Union Association as a rival league. Players were gathered, and he purchased handsome grounds within a short street-car ride of the centre of the city, cut the admission rates, and by the competition gave Cincinnati more baseball than it had had for years. It was quite a war while it lasted, and there were foot races and balloon ascensions. No one man cares to carry a whole League on his shoulders, and Mr. McLean dropped it at the end of the season. He did not make any money, it is true, nor did he expect to when he started in, but he made the rival association lose at the same time, and taught them a lesson in the treatment of the public that has borne lasting fruit. When just out of college, and before he obtained an interest in the Enquirer, he was catcher for the Cincinnati Club, and a pluckier one never faced a pitcher. Harry Wright and Brainerd, the Count, were the men he caught for. It was at the time when that nine was known as the parlor knights, because the men were as much at home in the parlor as on the ball field. This was in the days when masks, gloves, and shields were unknown and the position of catcher was no enviable one. Although warned repeatedly by the veteran Harry Wright of its dangers, Mr. McLean would insist on playing close up, saying he could watch the points better and make the men hug the bases. It was while doing this one afternoon that a foul tip sharp from the bat took him full in the left eye, and he went down like an ox. He was carried home, and for two months was kept in a dark room until sight was restored to the impaired eye. It is understood that he is interested in the present Cincinnati Club. |
| Source | New York Sun |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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