Semantic search

Jim Hart, the noted ex-manager, now A. G. Spalding's private secretary...

[regarding a lawsuit filed against Day by his brother-in-law Fred Davis] In reference to the statement made by John B. Day, President of the Metropolitan Exhibition Company, regarding the services of Fred Davis, his brother-in-aw, being entirely voluntary, Mr. Davis says that it can be proved that he was sent up to the grounds by Mr. Day to look after his interests. If it has slipped his memory he can refresh it by referring to his ex-partner, John P. Davis, and his present partner, Charles P. Abbey. When the old firm of Davis & Day existed, Fred's father, who was the senior member of the firm, and had many stiff arguments with John B. Day, his son-in-law, in regard to his taking Fred away from the business and wasting his time at the Polo grounds. He also found fault with Mr. Day for the valuable time he was likewise losing from the tobacco business by going off to the base ball games. In fact, it was the stiff arguments they had upon this very point which led to the breaking up of the old firm. New York Sun September 19, 1890 [N.B. Charles P. Abbey was one of the incorporators of the New York Baseball Club on October 9, 1889.]

A new base ball headquarters was opened last night [3/11], with “Honest” John Morrill, Boston's favorite base ball players, and his business partner, Mr. W. R. Burdett, as hosts. Morrill has now severed forever his connection with professional base ball playing, and has turned his attention to the less exciting practice of fitting out athletes with the articles needed in the field of sports. The new store is a t12 Bromfield street. It is centrally located in the business district, and as the games of the Brotherhood and League Clubs are to be displayed, it cannot fail to become popular. Morrill has laid in a handsome stock of sporting goods, and has every reason to hope for success in his venture.

Judgments were entered in Philadelphia last Saturday against the Athletic Base Ball Club in the suits against it by five of their players, for want of an affidavit of defense. The judgments were awarded to John O'Brien for $351.59; William A. Purcell, $376.28; George Shafer, $157.44; Joseph Kappel, $278.76; John McMahon, $483.34. These sums represent the amount of the claims of the players with interest.

[from Chadwick's column] One of the causes of the society patronage given the Brooklyn Club team at Washington Park the past two months is the absence of the vulgar, rowdy kicking which prevailed in the old Association era. Kicking suits the masses, and especially the rowdy element of the bleaching board crowds, as does the noisy coaching; in fact that element revels in anything which approaches a row or a disturbance. But kicking and noisy coaching disgusts the better class of patrons of the game, and since President Byrne put his foot down against kicking by his team at Washington park, there has been a noteworthy increase in the local patronage, the grand stand crowds at the park equaling anything seen at any other League ground in the country. The attendance at the Washington Park grounds in Brooklyn during the July campaign has been the best in the character of the assemblages known in the history of the club, and as to numbers the crowds in the aggregate exceeded the combined attendance at the other three metropolitan grounds—on the Polo and Brotherhood parks in New York and the Eastern Park in Brooklyn. The aggregate attendance at Washington Park from July 5 to July 19, inclusive, exceeded 27,000 people, and the majority were grand stand occupants. Over 11,000 saw the three Cincinnati games alone. The absence of kicking unquestionably caused the remarkable increase in the grand stand attendance.

[Francis Richter reports:] While the Bostons were in town last week, Mike Kelly sauntered in Reach's store on Market street one day and to the surprise of everybody greeted Al. Reach in the most friendly manner. Al. was no less cordiak, and to the pleausre as well as amusement of the lookers-on the rival magnates were apparently upon the most friendly terms, and one would have imagined that no such thing as a war was in progress. What took Kelly to Reach's was the fact that he had to get one of Reach's patent lace mitts, which Kelly vowed he couldn't get along without, and which he is so pleased with that before he left Reach he gave the latter unsolicited the following testimonial:

Philadelphia, May 3.--Friend Reach:--Notwithstanding I am connected with a rival organization candor compels me to say you have the best catching glove I have ever seen, and I have seen them all. I refer to your patent lace mitt. You are at liberty to use my name as an endorsement of it in such manner as you choose. Yours truly, M. J. Kelly, Boston Club.

[from J. F. Donnolly's column] There will be a new entrance built [to the NL Brooklyn grounds], which is to be used solely by lady patrons of the grounds, and innovation long desired, as the rush and crush of the male gender, both on entering and leaving the grounds, has always been a source of concern to the fair enthusiasts, whose gowns and the set thereof very often suffered through the wearers being caught in the swirl. This entrance will be designed in careful fashion, and will add to the attractiveness of the general entrance when all the changes have been effected.

Latham, whose demands for money increased in proportion to the decrease of his ability to play ball, became so violent at last that he was released by Comiskey. He tried to work the Chicago team as he did St. Louis—to be always in debt to the club from $500 to $1,000. This, the Chicago men would not stand and Latham was released. Von der Ahe immediately began negotiating for the sale of the dude's release and without asking the other Association clubs to waive their claims, Latham was sold to Cincinnati for $25,00, $500 of which it is reported Latham obtained. When the Athletics and Louisville protested against the sale the boss calmly said that both clubs had waived claim to Latham a year ago when he was on the market. The sale is going to cause trouble, for both Sharsig and Whittaker have blood in their eye. They wanted Latham themselves, and so did President Parsons, of Louisville. The customary ten days did not lapse and altogether it looks as though the national agreement sustained a violent wrench.

There was a little scene at the Athletic base ball grounds, Twenty-sixth and Jefferson streets, yesterday, which escaped the notice of the regular visitors to that place.

Deputy Sheriff J. B. Pattison, aided by Assistant Deputy Link, made a levy on all the goods belonging to the Athletic Base Ball Club, and especially the gate receipts. The attachment was made on a writ issued by Judge Hare, of Common Pleas Court, No. 2, giving judgment in favor of George W. Walton & Co., Limited, for $234.15, being the amount of a bill for lumber, with interest.

…

The attendance at the game was very light, the amount of the receipts carried off by the Sheriff being only $28. The Philadelphia Times September 7, 1890

Players of the Athletic Base Ball Club of the American Association yesterday began legal proceedings for the recovery of salaries for the month of August. None of the fourteen players have received any pay during the past month, and it is also claimed that the club in indebted to a number of them for services in July.

Last week attorneys for the players notified President Phelps, of the Association, that unless the arrearages were paid within ten days the players would seek engagements elsewhere. The players not receiving a response yesterday made affidavits and statements of their claims, which were filed in the office of the Prothonotary. The claim of Edward K. Seward is $377.56; that of Wilfred Robinson $350. George Shafer's claim is $244.30.

The remaining eleven players will institute similar proceeding later in the week. The attorneys state that the executions and attachments against the funds of the club would not prevent the players from securing the salaries remaining unpaid, as the law gives a prior lien for wages to the amount of $200 in each case in preference to all other claims. The Philadelphia Times September 9, 1890

[reporting the Athletic Club stockholders' meeting 9/11] The amount due the players for salary is $2,650. The entire indebtedness of the club, in which this amount is included, and outside of the $9,000 worth of bonds that do not mature until 1893, is $16,500 in round figures. Of this amount it is only necessary that the $2,650 due players be raised before Wednesday next, as on that day the ten days' notice would expire and the players be free to sign elsewhere. The Philadelphia Times September 12, 1890

At the last meeting of the stockholders a committee had been appointed to raise the necessary funds for carrying the club to the end of the season. This they failed to do and on Monday night [9/15] the club was practically disbanded. The scene at their headquarters on that night was a never-to-be-forgotten one. The stockholders and directors stood around talking in a whisper and the whole aspect betokened a funeral more than anything else. When it became impossible tp put the players off any longer and they were released one by one it seemed more like the breaking up of a family than the dismemberment of a club. Manager Sharsig took the whole affair more to heart than did any of the other,s, and he was truly to be pitied. Speaking of the affair, he said: “This is the most severe set-back I ever had in my life. Years of labor and constant toil have been swept away to-night, and I am just where I began again. I cannot fully realize yet the extent of my loss, but ii will gradually force itself upon me. I, of all the club, was nearer tho the men than anyone else, and, therefore, I feel it the most. Many of these players have been associated with me for years, and while we all have our faults, the parting is extremely hard.” The Philadelphia Times September 21, 1890

Up to the middle of the season the club was doing well, and according to the words of one of the officials the club had more than made expenses. They had got their share of the local patronage and away from home had done equally well. At the time the first default in payment occurred these conditions had not changed and the wonder now is where did the money go. This was answered perhaps in part when Secretary Whitaker gave out the financial condition of the club at the last meeting. Of the $17,000 indebtedness, exclusive of the $9,000 in bonds that do not mature until 1893, he said more than $8,000 was due the club officers for salaries. This was the first intimation any one had that the officers were salaried menials and it has caused no end of talk since. When stockholders say they will have an investigation ordered what are outsiders liable to think? To many it appears like an effort to save their own investment out of the wreck. However that may be, an itemized account of the club's receipts and expenditures would be an interesting article for perusal. The Philadelphia Times September 21, 1890

Judgment was entered in Common Please Court, No. 3, yesterday against the Athletic Base Ball Club in the claims of Players John O'Brien for $351.67, Joseph Kappel for $278.76, John McMahan for $483.34, William A. Purcell for $376.28 and George Shafer for $157.44. The Philadelphia Times November 2, 1890

[reporting the PL Directors' meeting of 7/17] The affairs of the local Players' club were pretty thoroughly ventilated in the meeting, but for some cause two directly contradictory stories were given out. In giving out information for publication Secretary Brunell stated that Mr. H. M. Love was no longer president as he had disposed of his shares to J. Ear and George Wagner, and that hereafter the Wagners would liquidate all debts of the club. When Mr. Love heard that Secretary Brunell had given out this news for publication he became very angry and engaged in a wordy war with Brunell. He desired to know from what source the information had been obtained, and was told that such was the general understanding. Despite Love's denial, George Wagner maintained that it was the truth, and that Love was not president, and that he and his brother had bought Love's shares. The Philadelphia Times July 18, 1890

Ex-President Love has been bought out, bag and baggage, and it is now controlled by the Wagner brothers. The Philadelphia Times August 3, 1890

Of the leading salaried officials of the three major leagues Zach Phelps is the lowest-salaried man, his salary being $1800, against $3200 for Brunell, of the Players' League, and $4000 for Nick Young, of the National League. But then the Association is now in a transition stage and can't very well afford to do any better. Phelps' salary won't always be so low, however, if the Association should prove the success its friends hope and expect.

[quoting Soden] Amalgamation is a question for the capitalists of both sides to decide now. The players have no more to say in the matter than you have. The capitalists of the new League have got them as completely under their thumbs as ever we had them in the old days. They are sick of throwing away money and they have learned that the players must be governed with a strong hand if good work is to be done. They are anxious for some form of a national agreement by which they can discipline their players. Brouthers, Radbourn, Kilroy, Kelly, Ryan and a lot of other players have been absent from their teams whenever they took a notion, and nothing was done about it. The Sporting Life October 18, 1890

[quoting Day] The players have nothing to say at all. They have not lost the money during the past season and consequently they have no interests at stake. The capitalists on both sides will do the negotiating. The players will have to do what they are told to do. If a player objects to playing with any men in the National League he will have to secure employment elsewhere. The market is overstocked with good men, and those having scruples will have to stand on one side. They'll be only too glad to play ball with anybody when the time comes. Sentiment cuts no figure in the present state of affairs. The Sporting Life October 18, 1890

[editorial matter] The situation of the National League is at present anything but cheerful or encouraging. Hope from the law has been evidently abandoned, and an organized plan to capture Players' League men regardless of cost is now being vigorously pursued under the specious plea that “the end justifies the means.” But the scheme is meeting with but meagre success, the results being woefully disproportionate to the labor and expense involved. It is quite probable, however, that the scheme will be persisted in quite up to the opening of the season, and the Players' League will accordingly have to be on guard perpetually, prepared to checkmate every move of the enemy upon its ranks.

[reporting the Board of Arbitration meeting of 3/13] [ruling on the dispute between Columbus and New York for Mike Lehane] Columbus made out a strong case, showing in the evidence submitted that they were clearly entitled to the ex-Buffalo player’s services. It was shown that their negotiations for Lehane were carried on in the regular way, and that they violated no rules in securing the services of this player. Affidavits from Manager Buckenberger, of Columbus; Secretary Fitzgerald, of Buffalo, and Manager Leadley, of Detroit, were submitted in evidence, in addition to an agreement signed by Lehane to play with the Columbus team, and the correspondence bearing on the subject whici proved conclusively that the Buckeye club had a clear title to the tall first baseman. Columbus first purchased Lehane’s relese from Buffalo, which the affidavits of Messrs. Buckenberger and Fitzgerald proved. Then Columbus, being granted permission by Buffalo to do so, negotiated with Lehane through Mr. Leadley acting as agent and got the player to sign an agreement to make a contract with that club as soon as Buffalo gave him his release. On the strength of this promise Buffalo formally released Lehane.

No sooner had the release been promulgated before New York jumped in and induced Lehane to sign a League a contract. Mr. Day had not further evidence to offer than this contract, and, on this technicality, he tried to win the case. Messrs. Buckenberger and Cohen put forth argument to show that New York had no right to make a contract with Lehane, who was reserved by the Buffalo Club, and only released on condition that he would go to Columbus. They further submitted letters Lehane wrote to several frineds in which he informed them that this release had been purchased by Columbus, and in which he stated that he was glad to get out of the International League into fast company, and he felt sure Columbus would be a good place for him to go.

After Messrs. Day, Cohen and Buckenberger withdrew from the room the Board carefully weighed the evidence in the case, but could not agree, and a deadlock, so Manager Buckenberger stated last night, ensued. According to Mr. Buckenberger the Association members voted in favor of Columbus, while the League contingent stood up for New York.

The Association people used some plain words, and the League men say that they meant what they said.

A conference was held with Mr. Day, who being informed of how matters stood, and seeing that Columbus was clearly entitled to Lehane, he decided to withdraw his case and the Board decided that Lehane must go to Columbus. After the decision was made Mr. Cohen volunteered to repay Mr. Day any advances he may have made Lehane and the expenses he incurred in sending that player on the Southern trip with the New York Club. The Evening Item Philadelphia March 14, 1890

[editorial matter by “Veteran”] I feel pretty well convinced that some of the Association Clubs would have been pleased had the result of the Lehane case been different, as it would have given them a chance to get back at the League. It is an utter impossibility for two such organizations as the League and the Association to dwell together in unity, and the fight to the death between them is bound to come sooner or later. The Association cannot forget how it was knifed by the Leauge and when the chance comes it will bury the knife to the hilt in the League carcass. It is but human nature and no one can blame them. The Sunday Item Philadelphia March 16, 1890

[reporting on the Board of Arbitration meeting of 3/13/1890] [ruling on the claims of Columbus and New York for Lehane] The New York Club based its claim upon the player principally upon a technicality, Mr. Day holding that the Columbus' agreement with Lehane wa invalid, because it was given before the player had been released from Buffalo to Columbus. In support of his position Mr. Day cited the case of Mullane, some years ago, which was decided according to the view held by Mr. Day. The latter also claimed that the fact that Lehane was with the rest of the Buffalo players offered for sale to the League after the agreement with Columbus was made, showed that the Buffalo Club was in ignorance of Lehane's agreement. Mr. Day also produced a regular contract which Lehane had signed with the New York Club.

Mr. Buckenberger [manager of the Columbus Club] explained that Lehane's name was sent to the League with his knowledge, inasmuch as he was then still dickering with the player, although he had come to terms with the club.

After both sides had submitted their evidence a long argument took place on the legal points involved. The League members of the Board clung to the Mullane precedent and were strongly in favor of awarding the player to the New York Club. Secretary Phelps, however, disposed of the Mullane precedent by showing the difference between that case and the case under consideration. In the case under consideration three clubs—Toledo, St. Louis and Louisville—were involved, and it became necessary to make the decision that was rendered then to protect the equities of all parties. In the present case Mr. Phelps argued there were no intervening equities; the Columbus Club agreed to pay a certain price to the Buffalo Club for Lehane's release and a few days alter entered into the agreement with the player. No other club or party being interested in the matter between the time the release was purchased and the agreement signed, the deal was consummated and the agreement made valid, inasmuch as the New York Club did not enter the case until long after the agreement was made.

Mr. Von der Ahe agreed with Mr. Phelps, and a deadlock ensued which could not be broken. The League delegates talked and argued, but Phelps so strenuously maintained his position on legal and moral grounds, and Von der Ahe so steadily acted with him, that it was evident that the deadlock could not be broken without a compromise. Accordingly Colonel Rogers left the meeting room, and had a conference with Mr. Day. This conference lasted about twenty minutes, and at times the debate between the two gentlemen grew quite animated, but finally they came to an agreement. Both then entered the meeting, and in a few moments Manager Buckenberger emerged with a smiling face, and announced the Mr. Day had “waived his claims” to the player and the Board had awarded him to Columbus. The Sporting Life March 19, 1890

The Section A cranks, of the Chicago League grounds, have agreed to take a similar part of the grand stand at the Chicago Players' grounds this season.

Lew Simmons, who is doing an excellent business in his cigar emporium on Broad street above Columbia avenue, can't keep out of base ball, it seems, as the ex-manager has organized the Columbia ball club and has so far signed the following players...

[from a long article about past and present baseball manufacture] Beginning the building of a ball, the workman takes from an old peach basket full of rubber spheres one of the little globes. It is the nucleus of the ball. It is made in this country by a rubber company expressly for base ball. For many years, and until three years ago, the rubber balls were imported from England, but there was complaint that the rubber was too dense, and an American rubber company, after many experiments, made a solid rubber ball with a livelier rebound than the imported.

[Boston vs. Brooklyn (NL) 5/2/1890] [byline O. P. Caylor] And now I want to tell you something about coaching. Hermann [Long] and Tommy Tucker [both of the Bostons] doubled up at the business in the second inning, and an excited crowd gathered on the street outside the grounds under the partially mistaken impression that a riot raged within. Heavens, you should have heard them two howl! Six strawberry peddlers doing a competitive business on the same square would have quit and gone out of the ward against this opposition by Long and Tucker. The spectators couldn’t hear their own thoughts, and Tommy Burns, who pulls a pretty deep stroke at coaching himself, didn’t open his mouth for the rest of the day, and when Tommy Burns acknowledges himself worsted in pumping noise the ne plus ultra in that line has been reached, you can bet on it.

[from Chadwick's column] Here is a specimen of the new style of coaching which the South End grounds spectators tolerate because it is indulged in by Boston Club players, whereas when it was confined to Association clubs they pitched into it as “rowdy ball playing.” I take the following from the Boston Herald:

“The feature of the game yesterday above and beyond all others was the loud, bullying, bulldozing coaching of both side, particularly that of Long's on the part of the Boston Club, who out-Kellied Kelly and out-Longed Long in the eal and persistency with which he gave his orders and made himself generally known to the public.

“Get er long thar.

“Hustle yerself lively.

“Don't stick tew the base.

“Git a move enter yerself.

“What yer glued thar fur?

“Only one out—and git along.

“Look-a-there, and see what I told you. Git now.

“Holy Moses, go.

“Git back to yer base, ye lunkhead.

“Dig up the dust and fly.

“Don't stick there like death to a dead nigger, but get up and go!

“Make a bee line fur home, and don't let the beans parboil under her feet!

“Do yer think yer on vacation, that yer stand there when so many good chances are going by?

“Those were the noises that rent the air.”

Tucker bellowed like a bull as of old and this was done to worry the pitcher; not to aid baserunning, for it does not do it even a little bit.

[from the Louisville correspondent] This afternoon Harry L. Means, the official scorer and base ball editor of the Courier-Journal...

[from the Louisville correspondent's column] Harry Means, the clever base ball editor of the Courier-Journal, resigned his position with that paper to-day, and hereafter he will be base ball editor of the Louisville Commercial. The place is said to have been made some better in point of salary than was his position on the Courier-Journal, and I am glad to see him so nicely situated. He id decided the best posted man on base ball in the city, and the paper has secured a good all around man. Harry is to have charge of a general sporting department, which has been crated on the Commercial, and I suppose he will sign himself “Sporting Editor” hereafter.

Mr. Means is succeeded on the Courier-Journal by Mr. R. Semmes Colston, one of that paper's brightest reporters, who was base ball reporter before Mr. Means took the place.

An amusing delay occurred in the third inning of last Tuesday's Cleveland-New York game. Browning refused to take his turn at bat, because his own bat, which is ten years old, very long and heavy, had been hidden. It was restored to him when the spectators grew tired of the joke, and the Gladiator made a safe hit.

There has been but little discussion over the question of permitting team managers to coach on the lines, because the settlement of the war has absorbed the attention alike of magnates and reporters. The question will have to be met and acted upon before spring, however, since the American Association has instructed its contingent upon the joint rules committee to press the question to an issue. The Sporting Life December 13, 1890

The consensus of opinion appears to be against permitting managers to coach. The players especially decry the innovation, and for the very good reason that but few managers would be competent to avail themselves of the permission to coach, even were it granted. The players know of what metal the men who are set up over them are composed, on the average. The Sporting Life January 3, 1891

“'Records don't count. We are looking for men who play for their sides, not for individual advancement,' has long been the cry of the managers of ball clubs,” said George Tebeau the other day. “That cry don't go with me now. The truth of the matter is that managers—that is, most of them—only look at your batting and fielding record. They do'nt care how many times you have taken strikes while waiting to get a base on balls. They don't look at the number of turns you make or the number of bases you have stolen. Your hard hustling work and untiring coaching, by whi8ch you make enemies in other teams, count for nothing. All they look at is the number of hits you made and the errors recorded against you. Chance-taking cuts no figure with them. They talk about it, but that is all they do. I notice when they come to engaging players they take the men with the records. Winning players don't count. The record players are the ones that get the coin.

[reporting the AA meeting 11/22] The representatives of the Toledo, Syracuse and Rochester clubs were on the outlook for combinations or deals, but were not shrewd enough to see one when it came. These delegates were sitting on a volcano, unsuspecting and unconscious of the danger of the fire below, and they innocently voted for a resolution which, in the opinion of shrewd base ball men, just as effectually drops them from the Association, and just as surely, as if the three clubs had been expelled openly and above board and their successors named. When the awakening comes there will be an awful row, but it will be too late then to protest.

The delegates of these three clubs were hoodwinked as easily as the job could have been done in a political convention or Legislature. …

…

...Then came the time to spring the trap for Rochester, Syracuse and Toledo.

A. W. Thurman made a report of his work in connection with the recent conference committee in New York and it was approved with many commendations of his work. Now came the nut of the day.

Mr. Parsons made a motion that a conference committee of three be appointed to arrange the Association circuit for next season, and the following resolution was adopted:

“That the conference committee, consisting of William Barnie, of Baltimore; A. W. Thurman, of Columbus, and Chris Von der Ahe, of St. Louis, be continued in effect, with full power to make such disposition of the Athletic franchise as they may deem to be in the best interest of the Association, and with full power to act in all matters affecting the circuit and welfare of the Association, and to call a meeting of the entire Association at any time and place in the future when deemed necessary.”

It was unanimously carried. This is the boomerang that was expected, but the parties most interested did not see through it. They thought it referred only to the Athletic franchise and that a full meeting of the Association would be necessary to ratify any action the conference committee might take. The resolution does not read that way. Messrs. Thurman, Von der Ahe and Barnie are the members of the committee, and they are all in favor of strengthening the circuit by dropping Toledo, Rochester and Syracuse.

[from Harry Palmer's column] Base ball never reminded me so much of the cheap circus business as it does to-day. The League band wagon and the Brotherhood band wagon draw up in front of my office at the League and Brotherhood headquarters across the street and the musicians, perches upon their gilded wagons in their red coats and gold lace, blow their horns until they are red in the face, while the windows in adjacent business houses are filled with mechanics, shop hands and clerks, who listen until the music ceases and then go back to their desks and benches. Very few of them, however, go to the game. The plumed horses to the band wagons, the gaudy uniforms of the musicians and the flaring announcements which both wagons bear flavor very disagreeably of saw-dust, peanuts and red lemonade. How different from the good old days of 1886, '87, '88 and '89, when the crowds went to the ball games voluntarily and without the aid of band wagons or the catch-penny inducements of “Ladies' Day,” “Professional Day” and the other dizzy devices being resorted to by both local clubs.

[from W. I. Harris's column] In a recent conversation with me President McAlpin explained his position pretty thoroughly. I will not attempt to quote him word for word, but what he said amounted substantially to this. There is no man more anxious to do the fair thing by the players than he is, but there is something of more importance than they are and that is the national game itself. He cares more about the perpetuation of base ball as our national game then he does about the money he has lost. He argues that we do not know what the style of hats and coats may be a year hence. Another year of strife might kill the public interest in base ball altogether, and the people may adopt something else in its stead. I want to take the wisest course towards the restoration of public interest in the game. I do not think that a continuance of the fight will do anything towards that, but if it is necessary to go on against experience and reason, then everybody interested should shoulder his share of the general burden that will be the inevitable result.

“No, I never use a glove on either hand in a game, “said Bid McPhee the other day to a Cincinnati Enquirer reporter. “I have never seen the necessity of wearing one; and, besides, I cannot hold a thrown ball if there is anything on my hands. The glove business has gone a little too far. It is all wrong to suppose that your hands will get battered out of shape if you don't use them. True, hot-hit balls do sting a little at the opening of the season, but after you get used to it there is no trouble on that score. Dunlap, Pfeffer and Yank Robinson always play bare-handed.

[Jack Lynch describing his coaching at Fordham College] To make a player familiar with all positions and points of the game I have a blackboard upon which is marked a correct playing field. I then select a student indiscriminately and ask him what position he plays, or, in the event of his playing a certain position, what he would do, say, if two men were on base and a ball was hit to him. Then I would ask another one, say a first baseman, how he would play his position if there was a man at this base and another at third. Then I ask a shorts top if a pitcher gave him a signal to play in a certain place what he might expect. He would answer, probably a double play. The result of this teaching is that the smallest boy in the college can tell you in an instant all the plays in a game. A code of signals is also taught, and we have them so arranged that they can be changed if by chance they are understood by other parties. New York Sun February 3, 1890

There was little trouble in reaching an agreement between the New York parties, and on Tuesday an understanding was arrived at by which the two clubs will be consolidated, unless the negotiations for peace now pending between the rival leagues fall through and the war breaks out with renewed virulence. On Tuesday Col. E. A. McAlpin, Edward B. Talcott, Frank B. Robinson and Postmaster Van Cott, the leading stockholders in the Players' League club, and John B. Day, of the National League club, met in the office of the Postmaster. The first question put to Mr. Day was:-- “Will you sell?” Mr. Day replied:-- “No; I'd rather go into business with you.” There was some talk over a basis for consolidation. The National League club is incorporated for $100,000, and most of the stock, it is understood, has been paid in. The Players' League club is incorporated for $20,000, but it is in debt to Messrs. McAlpin, Talcott, Van Cott and Robinson for grand stand, grounds, etc., about $80,000. It is probable that a consolidation, if there is one, will be reached on a basis of 50 per cent., each party taking $100,000 of a capital stock of $200,000, at which figure the reorganized club will be incorporated.

[from the column of “Veteran”] Mickey Welch, who has been shaky for some time, jumped from the Brotherhood into the League during the week by signing with the New York Club. After signing his contract Welch met Mike Tiernan, and they both called on Tim Keefe. Tim is not the man to let a business transaction interfere with his personal feelings, and he shook hands with Welch, with the remark that every man knew his own business best.

Welch explained that his action was simply one of business. He said that he would have been willing to have played with the Players’ League for $2,000 less than he signed for with the New York League Club, but they would not guarantee him his salary for more than one year at a time.

He had always been in the habit of securing a personal agreement with Mr. Day, and he felt as though he could not stop the custom now. He said that he had a large family to look after, and that he could not afford to take any unnecessary risks. Had the Players’ League guaranteed him his salary for three years he would have signed with them.

“You see by that,” continued Welch, “that I am looking out for No. 1. I think that the Players’ League will be a success, and would have liked to have come to some agreement, but could not. I suppose that the players will find much fault with me for what I have done, but I hope that they will not be too hard on me.” The Philadelphia Evening Item January 19, 1890

Pittsburgh PL Club ownership

The capital stock of the Pittsburgh Brotherhood Club is $20,000, divided into 800 shares of the par value of $25 each. The subscribers and the number of shares of stock subscribed by each are as follows: William McCallim, Mayor of Pittsburgh, 60; M. B. Lemon, member of the Legislature, 20; William a Stone, ex-United States District Attorney, 380; W. W. Kerr, mercantile manager, 80; Edward Hanlon, ball player, 80; Henry B. Rea, commission merchange, 60; C. A. Beymer, lead manufacturer, 40; Morris Baer, advertising agent, 40; W. P. Potter, attorney, 40. The Philadelphia Evening Item January 19, 1890

In conversation with Kelly this afternoon he admitted that he had signed with his old management for next season, and that he held the contract in his pocket. He defended his action on several grounds. He claims that the Players' League violated its contract with him; that by refusing to distribute $20,000 prize money to the club winning the championship it violated one of the specific terms on which he was led to sign a Players' contract.

…

He also affirmed that he disliked to be the first man to go back on the players, and that he is not the first one to do so; but, as everybody was apparently scrambling to save himself, and there will not, in his opinion, be a Players' League next season, he did not propose to get left, and so he got under cover.

Kelly's action has caused a most decided sensation about the hotel where the ball men are assembled. The Sporting Life November 15, 1890

Mike Kelly, who was reported to have signed a contract with the Boston League Club last week, indignantly denied the story. He said:-- “The story is false. I have not signed and never will as long as the Players' league exists. I was offered $15,000 to jump this summer with a five-year's contract for $25,000 and I would not desert the boys. I am too honorable to do that. The only event in which I would sign with the Boston Nationals is the demise of the Players' League. I was the last to sign the Brotherhood compact and I will be the last to break it.” The Sporting Life November 22, 1890

[from the Peoria correspondent] As the public knows but little of the inside workings of base ball management, there are a good many points in the statement of general interest:

Per month Per month

McCloskey, c.f......... $200 Firle, 1b........ $125

Nulton, s.s............... 150 Taylor, 2b..... 125

Cain, p................ 150 Deegan, 2b..... 125

Sullivan, p............ 125 Burch, r.f........ 125

Darby, p................ 100 Popkay, l.f... 125

Rudolph, p.......... 60

Johnston, c.......... 125 Total......... $1535

Hurley, janitor, per month........... 35

League assessments, per month......... 100

Ticket sellers and police, say per month........ 50

Printing and advertising, say per month............. 50

Say we play eight games at home in a month at

$60 guarantee 480

Total............................................ $2250

The above figures do not include free tickets to Peoria for players when signed, nor does it include balls, or shoes, or gloves, and many other expenses, which, if figures in, will make at least $50 per month more. Figuring thirty days to the month and the expenses at $2250, the daily expenses are $75. Eight games played at home divided into the $2250 would make it necessary to receive $281.25 at each game in order to pay expenses. This, of course, is on the basis of playing eight games at home in a month. We cannot figure any profit to ourselves when the club is on the road, and only get a guarantee of $60 for each game they play, this being no more than sufficient to pay railroad fare and hotel bills for the club. It is now clear that base ball cannot live with this burden of expense, and until a ball player can be had at a policeman's or a street car driver's pay—say $50 or $60 per month—base ball cannot pay, or mus die, unless some good-natured fellow will put up the money to keep the ball rolling.

Ball-players in clubs belonging to the Tri-State and Indiana circuit, will not grow rich the coming season. They will not need any one to help them to carry their salary away, even if it is paid to them in large copper cents. May be some of the local professionals are not [sic] warm under the collar. They claim that the salary limit of their League is outrageously low; that $500 a month for a team, including the manager, is a niggardly salary. Possibly it is, but the gentlemen at the head of these Leagues know their business. Heretofore minor Leagues have been conducted on decidedly too extravagant lines. The salaries were two [sic] high to allow the clubs to live. The wrecks that have in days gone by strewed the paths of minor Leagues have been a good teacher, and the projectors of the Tri-State and Indiana Leagues displayed good sense in calling a halt. Base-ball salaries are too high all around, and there is bound to be a reaction. The action taken by these minor Leagues is only a sample of what is to come some day in the major organizations.

[from the Washington correspondent] ...it is not unusual to see two or three members of the home club dressed in .

John G. Johnson, J. M. Vanderslice and Alfred Moore, attorneys for the Players' National League Base Ball Club of Philadelphia, yesterday filed suits in equity against Albert Myers and the Philadelphia Base Ball Club; Samuel L. Thompson and the same organization, and John Clements, to restrain them from playing in the team of the defendant club...

John F. Morrill, one of the best-known base ball players, will open a sporting goods house at 12 Broomfield street, Boston, on March 1, under the firm name of John F. Morrill & Co. A full line of base ball, tennis and general athletic goods will be handled, and the business will be conducted very much on the same plan as that of Tim Keefe's in New York City. The Sporting Life February 26, 1890

A new base ball headquarters was opened last night with “Honest” John Morrill, Boston's favorite base ball player, and his business partner, Mr. W. R. Burdett, as hosts. Mr. Morrill has now severed forever his connection with professional base ball playing, and has turned his attention to the less exciting practice of fitting out athletes with the articles needed in the field of sports. The new store is at 12 Bromfield street. It is centrally located in th business district, and as the games of the Brotherhood and League clubs are to be displayed it cannot fail to become popular. Morrill has laid in a handsome stock of sporting goods and have ever reason to hope for success in his venture. The Sporting Life March 19, 1890

The marked increase in the attendance at the National League games, as compared with the Players' League attendance, which took place upon the return of the teams to the East, and which gave League adherent such comfort, is attributed by the Players' League people to the use of passes in certain of the Eastern cities, to such a degree as to make the League games almost free to the public. These tales were denied in League quarters, but at Thursday's Players' League meeting in Philadelphia a number of these passes, regularly printed and dated, were exhibited, and some were distributed among newspaper men as proof that the charges of “free ball” had not been groundless.

The cities in which it is charged passes are issued in quantities are Chicago, Boston, New York and Brooklyn. On this point the reporter of the Pittsburg Press who made the Eastern trip with the Pittburg team writes his paper:

“The National League, for some unaccountable reason, seems to be universally padding its attendance by means of the free list system. I investigated this question and with the assistance of two letter carriers of the Boston post office force, am able to prove the assertion that the old League is doing the pass act to an almost reckless extent. The first carrier I speak of, with whom I am personally acquainted, had a pad of twenty-five tickets for distribution, and another carrier, to whom he introduced me, confirmed the statement that almost the entire letter carrier force had tickets, not only for their own use but for distribution among cigar stores, saloons and business houses.”

Ward is of the positive opinion that the League magnates are striving with might and main to kill the game in order to lay the Players' League in the mire, hoping afterwards to rebuild it and to raise the new crop of enthusiasts and supporters. Ward says the cry of base ball being dead and the free ball scheme are all means toward the end the magnates seek. Ward's views are shared by all his Players' League colleagues. The Sporting Life July 19, 1890

[from Murnane's column] The Triumvirs got themselves most thoroughly disliked for years by refusing to admit even the mothers of some of the well-known League players to the games.

What a change. Now the complimentary tickets are as free as water. Think of one man in Lynn having 900 of these “comps” sent to him for distribution.

You can find them by the bunch at the police station houses, at the drug stores and about everywhere that people can be worked to “chin” for the old masters.

The above is no guesswork and I can prove the charge and add to it ten-fold.

It looks like one more desperate attempt to kill the game, for a time at least, with a hope of getting the chance later on to monopolize the business. I know for a a fact that the people who go to the League grounds free one day go to the Brotherhood grounds and pay the next day.

There was a time when the League magnates were looked on as men well up in business affairs, but was there ever a body of men more thoroughly outwitted than they have been during the last six months?

Outgeneraled at every turn, they have gone mad and are now cutting their own throats, like swimming pigs, as they manage to keep their heads above water.

What is bound to be the ultimate outcome of all this bad management? I think I can tell, and my honest opinion is that the backers of the Players' League can see it as plain as I, viz.: Get together, strengthen up the lines in a way to leave no doubt of their determination to not only live and let live, but fight and fight hard and fast. Stop at no quarter until the men who would ruin a fair business rival are given a lesson they will not soon forget.

Because A. G. Spalding and the Boston men have made two or three hundred thousand dollars out of the base ball business is that any reason they should expect to have the public always with them, whether right or wrong?

I contend that it was the honest ball players that built up the game in this country, and as most of them are no in the Players' League, it must be a queer world, indeed, if they can be defeated. The Sporting Life July 19, 1890

[from J. F. Donnolly's column] Secretary Ebbetts can't stand the talk about “snow” being plentiful at Washington Park, and when Wendell Goodwin, of the Players' Club, was credited with talking of the free passes that had been given out by the National League Club, Charley broke loose and invited all the newspaper men to an inspection of his books. He did this on the spur of the moment and proved to the satisfaction of all that the visiting clubs had been paid their percentage on the basis of the figures given to the newspapers, which Mr. Ebbetts is willing to swear were correct in all instances. He showed by money receipts that from July 5 to 19 just forty-nine free tickets had been issued to every 1000 persons. He also declared that the number of complimentary books issued this season (196) was smaller than last year. The Sporting Life August 2, 1890

Philadelphia, in the National League, has had the largest total attendance, 206,016, but as this is a 25 cent city, 70,000 wants to be taken away to bring them to the same financial basis as the others. This will bring the Bostons No. 1 with 178,396, closely followed by Cincinnati with 178,071. Anson's team is credited with 167,380 and the Bridegrooms next with 161,482.

...there is yet some hope in the minds of some of the magnates that it will be possible to cut down the circuit before the season is admitted. The League's hope for this event coming to pass is in the way it treated Indianapolis in the matter of playing dates. Indianapolis' right to object to certain dates and to request others was simply ignored, and to an outsider it looks as if the schedule committee went out of its way to give the Hoosier team just the dates it didn't want and to lay off the team just when it wanted to play. By doing this it was no doubt the idea of the committee to scare Magnate Brush into selling out. Brush and the other Indianapolis officials were very hot indeed over the matter, but they refuse to budge and say they will go on. In Indianapolis the feeling is general that the League is trying to force Indianapolis out covertly, not daring to drop the club openly, according to former methods.

[quoting Al Johnson] I have a ball park that is twice as large as the new League diamond will be. I have a horde of players anxious to help me in any way; I am watching out for all the cities that are thrown down by the National League and American Association. There are plenty of big cities West of the Mississippi that will be left out in the cold when the magnates put forth their pronunciamento. With two clubs in several of the cities, I will have a circuit of cities playing Sunday ball. There are three ball parks on the line of our street railroad where games are played almost every Sunday; why should there not be Sunday games on the old Brotherhood Grounds? No one can object. The Sunday games will pay all expenses, for I shall not have fifteen or eighteen stars on the pay roll. Six or seven of the old players will be enough. We can fill up the gaps with young blood.

It will be easy enough to organize an independent league of eight or twelve cities that will be frozen out of the old associations. There will be no red tape rules, but an honest struggle for the pennant and for a purse which will be worth striving for. I will wager $2500 that my club will draw as many people during the season as the League club does, and another $2500 that my club will stand higher in the race in my association than the Cleveland League Club does in the League. They have used me like a dog. Now I will show them a trick or two of my own devising. When they read the list of cities composing my independent league they'll throw up their hands. We'll have twenty five cent games—fully as good if not better than those of the League, costing twice as much. There'll be no division of gate receipts, each club hustling for itself. I am sure that the Sunday games will pay the expenses of the club.

With the close of the present week and within a few days of the annual meetings of the big leagues the prospect for a general consolidation of the two big leagues is effectually blighted and it would be pretty safe to predict that not more than one or two—if any—Players' League clubs will be absorbed by the National League. This is certainly due to the fact that the National League, instead of meeting its rivals fairly, has been trying to get the best of the deal, everywhere except in New York, where it had so much to gain and so little to lose by consolidating that it was absolutely essential to success to make a show of fairness. In Philadelphia there have been no approaches to a conference; in Boston the triumvirs are calmly waiting for such a turn of affairs as will throw the Players' League Club upon their mercy; in Cleveland the League people have made conditions that Mr. Johnson cannot [illegible]. … ...words, the League is apparently sure of consolidation in Brooklyn and New York, and, having secure that, is confident that it will break the Players' League and force all of the remaining clubs to sacrifice themselves.

The Chicago League Club managers have purchased a plot of ground on the corner of Park and Lincoln street in the block immediately south of the county hospital. Workmen are now engaged filling in the grounds, and will have shortly completed the drainage system, which will alone cost over $10,000. The same architect who planned the Boston, Philadelphia and New York grounds will be employed. The dimensions of the park will be 650 feet square, and will cost, when complete, $180,000. Beautiful private [illegible] promenades and a club house of large dimensions have been provided for. The seating capacity will be 15,000. It was expected to have the grounds ready for playing in the spring of 1891, but the recent attempt to deprive the club of its present grounds compelled the managers to take a new lease of them extending over a period of three years, and a delay will result, but the new park will undoubtedly be ready for occupancy in 1892. It will not only be devoted to base ball, but bicycling, tennis, foot ball, cricket, in short all manager of athletic sports.

A. G. Spalding denies the story sent out from Chicago that he came to New York for the purpose of buying out the controlling interest in the National League team. Mr. Spalding was seen at his New York office yesterday. He said he had not come for any such purpose, and denied that he was or intended to become interested in the New York Club. “I understand,” said Mr. Spalding, “that some of Mr. Day's friends have persuaded him to increase the capital stock of the New York Club to $100,000 and give them an opportunity to become associated with him in the enterprise. This confidence in the ultimate success of the National League in their fight with the Brotherhood and the value of a League franchise in new York is substantially shown by their eagerness to take all the stock they could get. Mr. Day tells me that he could increase it to $200,000 if necessary, and have all the stock taken. Of course many clubs in the League and Brotherhood organizations will lose money on this season's business, and all hands will continue to lose money as long as this foolish war continues, inaugurated as it was by a a few over-enthusiastic but misguided players, urged on and assisted by plunging speculators, who saw 'millions in it.' I see no reason to change the opinion I expressed early in the season that professional base ball had received a serious blow by this Players' revolt. In fact, as the season continues it must have become apparent to the most enthusiastic support of the Brotherhood movement that such is the case.

[editorial matter] The only one of the big clubs that needed reorganization was New York, because the controlling interesting in that club was owned by Mr. John B. Day, who, it was understood, was not, owing to a number of reverses in recent years, able to carry the club alone through a losing season. Accordingly, the capital stock has been increased to $100,000, which gave the club the necessary capital to stand the losses it will surely suffer this season. Who took the additional stock is not known, although it is hinted that a couple of League magnates secured a large block of it, and the Mr. Dillingham, a former minority stockholder, is also more largely interested now. It is not known whether all of the additional stock has been placed. If it has been, there are some capitalists who have an abiding faith in the future of the New York League Club. Of course this increased stock has reduced Mr. Day's interest, but whether enough to give the control of the club to other parties is not known.

A story going the rounds throws a little light on the New York situation. It appears that John B. Day has been gradually losing his grip on the control of the New York National League Club until, at the present time, he owns barely one-fifth of the stock. The other reputed stockholders are Soden, Billings and Conant, of Boston; Abell, of Brooklyn; Brush, of Indianapolis, and the Spaldings. Down deep in his heart, it is said, Day cherishes no deep affection for some of these gentlemen. A little over a year ago his relations with the Brooklyn and Chicago clubs were certainly not fraternal. If Mr. Day could consolidate the two New York clubs with a capital stock of $200,000, each of the present clubs taking half the stock, he would be able, by forming an alliance with Talcott, McAlpin, Van Cott and Robinson, to hold control of the reconstructed organization, and in the future nothing would be impossible for the majority of the stockholders., quoting the New York World

[from a dispatch by Murnane to the Boston Globe] The stock of the consolidated New York club is divided up into so many shares that John B. Day has no chance of ever getting whole in the base ball business.

The New York Players' League Club accomplished the object it had in mind ever since the first conference with the National League and despite its oft-repeated promises not to do anything until all other Players' League clubs had been provided for, consummated the consolidation deal with the New York League Club last Friday—an unlucky day, by the way. They didn't even keep their promise to see that other noble and able conferee, Goodwin, out of the mess he was in, but cruelly left him to get out of the hole he had gotten himself and his Brooklyn fellow-stockholders into as best he could.

John B. Day says the New York team will open next season at the Polo Ground in order that Brotherhood Park may be sodded and seeded. About the 1st of July the Giants will become installed at the latter ground, to be known as the New Polo Ground.

Abundant capital, energy, and local pride have at last come to the rescue of Walter Hewett, and there is nothing to prevent Washington from going to the front in League company this season. Mr. Albert Gleason, one of the wealthiest men in this city [Washington=, who has always been an ardent admirer of the national game and a regular attendant at the Senatorial combats at Capitol Park and elsewhere, has finally concluded to divide the responsibilities of maintaining a League club here with Walter Hewett. Mr. Gleason is a leading contractor, and owns some of the most valuable real estate in northwest Washington. He was tardy about entering into the base ball business with Mr. Hewett because of the uncertainty that clustered or appeared to cluster around the franchise of the local club. At the Cleveland meeting of the League the status of the Washington Club was clearly defined, and Mr. Gleason is now prepared to go down into his pockets and help Walter Hewett establish a team here that will be a credit to the national capital.