Semantic search

[Chicago vs. Washington 5/18/1889] Anson waxes wroth in the ninth when Hoy hit a grounder just off first and Barnum permitted the base runner to hold the base on Anson's error. Pfeffer and Gumbert were both at the bag, but Anson wanted the put-out himself, and so, holding the ball, he did a foot-race with Hoy for the bag. The deaf one took first money and Anson turned three shades of red when the umpire said “Not out.

Barnum goes behind the pitcher as soon as two balls or three strikes [sic] have been called called, and remains there while men are on bases.

Charley Byrne is preaching against over-estimating attendance at ball games. This is a case of glass house, s there are no cities in the country where crowds are over-estimated oftener than in New York and Brooklyn. The trouble is these cities cannot bear to have Philadelphia over-top them, and that is just what it does when it comes to base ball crowds.

[from an interview of James Coogan] “...Mr. Dillingham, one of the stockholders of the New York Club, told me that $500,000 could not buy the New York Club franchise, but if $750,000 were offered it might be considered.

[a statement purportedly by Von der Ahe:] The Association will have to stand by the League. I don’t speak officially as President of the Association. But I believe that is the inevitable outcome of the fight. It is a question of capital against labor, and capital must stick by capital. The Brotherhood may think it can command capital on its side, but it will get left on that point. To mention nothing else, there are not six men in the whole Brotherhood who have an ounce of business brains. They are good ball players, but can’t manage. They can’t even take care of the salaries they are getting. And capitalists are not going to trust their money in such hands; and right here let me emphasize the fact that it takes capital, and big capital, to run the ball business. I exhaust this point when I say that A. G. Spalding is the only instance in the history of the game of a ball player developing into a successful manager. Johnny Ward, no doubt, thinks he could manage. Johnny also calls him self a lawyer. Why doesn’t he practice law, then? Simply because he is a ball player, nothing more, and couldn’t make enough money at law in a year to pay one week’s board out of fifty-two. The Philadelphia Item October 25, 1889

[a statement purportedly by Von der Ahe:] I do not think the Brotherhood movement will amount to anything, but if there is going to be a fight we might as well have it now and have it out. The reason why it won’t last if finally arranged is that the players will find that they haven’t got as good a thing as they had before. They will find that the capitalists who have it in charge will watch the dollars closely. They want all they can get out of it. The men can’t run it themselves. I don’t know six of them that can manage their own affairs, but if it is organized the Brotherhood need not think it will affect us. Take out all the players you want; there are enough new ones to fill their places. The Philadelphia Item October 26, 1889

A few days ago a dispatch was published stating that President Von der Ahe had said that the fight between the League and Brotherhood was simply a fight between capital and labor, and that he would be found on the side of capital. Eddie Von der Ahe, President Von der Ahe’s only son, to-day said:

“That was a lie made out of the whole cloth. My father has never abused the Brotherhood in any way. Mr. O’Neall, his colleague, is a friend of labor, and has always spoken well of the Brotherhood. Under the circumstances I see no reason why the remaining clubs of the American Association can not at once come to an understanding with the Brotherhood and form a combination that will easily put to rout that formed by the League at New York yesterday. It, in fact, seems to me that this is the only remaining and possible plan. The people of St. Louis seem a unit in favor of it and I would like to see my father respect their wishes.

In an interview with a New York World reporter on Monday Von der Ahe used these costly words:

“Mr. Byrne cannot bluff me. He has been running the association to suit himself and now I’m going to put a stop to it. I’ve had enough of his bribing umpires and won’t stand it any more.”

“What umpires do you refer to when you say Mr. Byrne has bribed umpires?”

“Mr. Byrne knows the umpires I refer to, and sooner than have him continue this sort of business I will give up base ball forever.”

Von der Ahe will have to retract these words before the month expires. It is an imputation Mr. Byrne cannot and will not let go by without a strict accountability. When a man’s temper gets the best of his, brains go out of the business.

Some new improvements are being made at Sportsman's Park this month. The grand stand and the fences are being repaired, and additional accommodations constructed for the ladies. The property is still in dispute, and a final adjudication of the case is not expected for several months. Von der Ahe has made a big offer for the ground, but owing to the conflicting interests it is doubtful if a sale can be negotiated. The ground, at a low estimate, is worth $30,000, just double what its value was six years ago. Von der Ahe is anxious to purchase it, and says if he gets possession he will make it the finest base ball park in the country.

[from an interview of Hewitt by an AP reporter] He said that the weaker clubs of the organization, which had heretofore been in the minority, and had consequently little influence at League meetings, were enabled, because of the attitude taken by the Brotherhood toward the League, to demand what had been religiously refused them—an increase in the percentage of visiting clubs from 25 to 40 per cent. The meeting, he said, was the most harmonious he had ever attended, and the disposition and aim of the delegates was to strengthen the weaker clubs, and all united in the fight against the Brotherhood. So far as the Washington club is concerned, he said it was in better condition to-day than it ever has been since its admittance into the League, for the reasons that it had no opposition in this city [Washington] to contend with, and also because it would open the season on the same footing as the remaining clubs in the organization.

Johm M. Ward, president of the Ball Players' Brotherhood, is outspoken in his denunciation of the classification rule, and says that it “is in spirit of a nullification of every benefit derived by the player, and, in its practical application, the National League has practically violated its promise not to reserve at a less salary. Of those classified the great majority have been held at a figure less than that received last season, and the fact that wo or three have been given an advance is a blind too transparent to deceive anyone as to the true character of the steal. The rule was passed, it is claimed, in order to allow several of the weaker cities to at least clear expenses. To the average mind the conclusion would be that if Indianapolis and Washington cannot afford the rate of salaries their associate clubs pay, then they are not entitled to the same class at ball. They are in too fast company, and they ought to get out. They have no right to stay in at the expense of their players. But if it is objected that the that the success of the National League demands the continued existence of these clubs, the fair reply is that the League then should stand the expense. Indianapolis has about as much right in the National League as Oshkosh. Yet if the League admitted the latter city, would it be fair to ask Denny, Myers, Boyle, Glasscock, etc., to play there at figures which would allow Oshkosh to clear their expenses? … It is a fact which cannot bainsaid that taking all the clubs together there is a great deal of money made each year from base ball. The Boston, New York and Chicago clubs pay immense dividends. The low-salaried Philadelphia Club, notwithstanding the wails of its owners, pays largely. Pittsburg makes something, and Detroit, which was said to have lost last season, is now settling up its affairs and publicly chuckling over the division of $54,000 profit derived from somewhere. It would not be exaggerating to say that the aggregate annual profit from the eight League clubs amounts to from $200,000 to $300,000. Now, if the National League wishes to carry several weak cities along, why did I not devise some scheme by which the deficiencies in those clubs sould be made up out of this enormous profit, instead of taking it out of the pockets of the players in those clubs? If, for instance, the League, instead of attempting the unjust and impossible classification scheme, had simply voted to pay the visiting club 50 per cent. instead of 25 per cent., as at present, the alleged losses of the Indianapolis and Washington clubs would have been made up out of the general profit, and there would still be sufficient left to more than compensate the magnates for the capital invested and the risk incurred.

[from W. I. Harris's column] Mr. Ward is not worried about Colonel Rogers' point as to the League's legal ability to hold the players for another year, under section 18 of the players' contract. Mr. Ward says that Mr. Rogers' point is merely Mr. Rogers' legal opinion, and that Mr. Rogers has frequently been mistaken in his law. Mr. Ward asserts that the Brotherhood has legal advice, and the best, too, and that Colonel Rogers is wrong. Ward says the question rests entirely on what is meant by the word reserve. He substantially admits that the players could be reserved another year against any club playing under the National Agreement but he holds that it would not be binding if the players, was in a league not under the protection of the National League. He says that the reserve means simply against National Agreement clubs.

The much and long-talked-of Ward deal is finally settled. The great short stop during the past week positively refused to play in Washington, whereupon the latter at once made a deal for Morrill and Wise, of the Boston Club. This move reduces Ward to the alternative of re-signing with New York or in some way securing his transfer to Boston. The Sporting Life April 10, 1889

President Young says of Ward's refusal to go to Washington:-- “I think that Ward has made a big mistake and he will live to regret it. This was a turning point in his career and he was given a grand opportunity to show himself a base ball general. He could have made himself a national reputation as a base ball manager, so that his services would be in demand after his playing days are over, and he could have worked so as to secure a financial interest in the club, I've no doubt.” The Sporting Life April 10, 1889

[from George Stackhouse's column] at the same salary he received last year--$4200.

[from W. I. Harris's column] I had an interesting talk with John Ward a day or two ago on the status of the Brotherhood. Mr. Ward had a great deal to say, but much of it was to the point and was said in very plain language. I asked him what he thought of the refusal of the League committee to meet the players and the reasons which Mr. Spalding gave for not doing so. Ward mused a few moments and then said with deliberation and emphasis, which showed that he had thought the matter over very carefully, and had prepared himself to meet just such a question: “The whole truth of the matter is that they were afraid to meet us and discuss the points which were to have been raised that's the size of it.”

“You don't really mean, John, that you believe the League are afraid to talk over the grievances of the players?”

“That is exactly what I mean. Nothing more and nothing less. They knew what the points were to be discussed and do not relish them overmuch. They know that they have broken faith with their players, and dared not face the issue. Moreover they have no intention of conceding anything they may have gained by their action, and consequently are anxious to dispose of the matter with as little discussion as is possible.

“The reasons given by Mr. Spalding for not meeting the Brotherhood committee at this time are amusing and simply absurd in the eyes of every man in this country who knows anything about base ball legislation. Everybody knows that the League held a special meeting at Asbury Grove to decide the question of a forfeited game, and it was one, too, which had very little bearing on the championship question. It is true that other business was transacted at that meeting, but it was called primarily for the purpose I have stated. Certainly, if such a matter was of sufficient importance for a special meeting this Brotherhood matter is far away more imperative because it affects the rights of the players and is considered by them to be a question of pressing moment. Naturally enough it is not so important a question for the League, for at present they have all the best of it and have, as they think, nothing to lose by delay. But it seems to me, and I think it must appear so to every fair man, that as the players are the real cause of the prosperity of the club,s they have a right to be heard at the time which is mos convenient to them. If they think their business is of importance enough to merit an immediate consideration they ought to be heard and the League will stand before the public in a very bad light and be open to the charge of unfairness by their refusal to meet the players.”

“Well, now that Mr. Spalding has refused, what is the Brotherhood going to do about it?”

The Brotherhood's president thought a moment and then said:-- “On that question just at the present time I am neither able nor at liberty to say. There is one thing, however, of which you may be certain. The players have asked only what is right and they will not rest until they get it. The men who are playing ball nowadays are not of the calibre to be hoodwinked or talked out of their rights.

[Chicago vs. Indianapolis 4/29/1889] Beginning the tenth inning Anson relieved Krock and put in Dwyer, who was on the card as tenth man. Before he would let him go into the box he told him to limber up his arm. Glasscock demanded that the game should not be delayed. Barnum commanded Dwyer to play ball. Anson told Dwyer to go ahead. Dwyer continued throwing the ball to Burns [third baseman], and Barnum rushed into the diamond to fine him. Anson said: “Hold on; that man has got to have practice. It would be dangerous to go in there and pitch without a little exercise. You can’t stop him either. You have no right to. There is no rule that I know of which empowers you to stop him. If I delay the game over five minutes you can declare it forfeited; that’s all you can do.” Barnum argued the point with Anson, and the crowd yelled “Fine him.” Glasscock got a chance to hit the ball and knocked it away from Dwyer. Flint threw it back and Glasscock again knocked it away. At this juncture Barnum declared that he would fine Dwyer $10 a ball for every ball he would throw if he continued. Dwyer then got into the box. Anson in backing up to first called to Dwyer to “throw it here,” which was done a couple of times before Anson reached his position. The crowd yelled frantically, and Barnum shouted, “Here, Dwyer,” at the top of his voice. Then Dwyer began pitching to the batsman. After the game Anson said: “I didn’t know of any rule against what I did, and was willing to take a chance that I was right.” Barnum said: “It was one of those cases not covered by the rules, and I couldn’t do anything. But I had fully made up my mind to fine Dwyer $10 a ball and see if the fine would not stand if he didn’t mind me.

There is a growing impression among the patrons of the national game that Walter Hewitt is growing weary of being a baseball magnate and is systematically unloading his interest in the senatorial combination. The late R. C. Hewitt was a baseball “crank” in the fullest meaning of the term. The result was that he put his boat into the league and never lived to realize a single dollar on his thousands expended. His son Walter is made of different material and only looks at baseball with business eyes.

The elder Hewitt was unusually successful in many of his business ventures and Walter is now reaping the benefits from them. Since the latter succeeded his father as the leading and producing spirit of the Washington club, his sole ambition has been to get back some of the money his father invested in the sport. By judicious management, coupled with several brilliant bursts of enterprise, the younger Hewitt is now in a position to retire from the ballfield nearly $50,000 ahead of all outlays. At the present writing he declines to go into details as to his future intentions further than to smile knowingly and say that he has no idea of leaving the league. He insists that because he disposed of Capitol part to a good advantage it does not necessarily follow that he contemplates disposing of his franchise. He says he is well satisfied with the present condition of his team, and predicts that he will put even a stronger combination in the field next season. Chicago Tribune August 11, 1889

It is said of Keefe that he can have four bad balls called on him and then strike the batsman out. He has performed this feat on the Polo Grounds time and again. Some incredulous persons have said that it was more dumb luck than good judgment, and whether they are right is not known, but he has performed the feat so often that people in New York are of the opinion that there is something more than dumb luck back of it. It certainly proves what has so often been said of him, that he has perfect command of the ball, and that he wastes those balls to deceive the batsman, as the latter will not expect the next three balls to come over the home plate. St., quoting the Boston Herald

Jack Kerins says that the “only way to get onto the different curves is by watching the grip which the pitcher takes on the ball before it leaves his hand. A smart pitcher will shift his fingers and fool you at the last minute as he draws back his hand; others will give away their trick like children.

[from Waller Wallace's column] Some of the local managers are now beginning to realize that a mistake was made when they refused to enter the National Agreement. The Eastern ball magnates are closely watching the work of California League players, and when they see a man worth taking negotiations are entered into with him, and the chances are ten to one that the player leaves the Coast. Fudger, it is believed, is now on his way to a Southern League club; Indianapolis wants Coughlin; Veach and Hapeman are offered terms by Milwaukee, and “Peek-a-boo” will certainly not be in Sacramento last month. It does not injure a ball tosser to be blacklisted by the local League, as he may immediately play elsewhere; but if the National Agreement embraced the Pacific Slope, the result would be different, as the man's chances of obtaining a living on the diamond w3ould be at an end. The Sacramento managers are in favor of joining hands with the majority, and surely Robinson has suffered enough to agree with them on this proposition. It is possible that a meeting of the League directors will be held soon to consider the matter., quoting the San Francisco Call

There are some professional players down here [New Orleans], and semi-professional ball is being played. Billy Smith of the Detroits and other nines, Cartwright, the famous slugger; Phelan of Des Moines, Beban of Lynn, and other winter here, and the climate gives them a chance to keep in good condition. There is an effort being made to get up a regular professional nine to play against visiting combinations that it is proposed to bring South. The Detroit team of the International League have in contemplation a visit to the South. They will spend most of their time in New Orleans practicing, and will go North in time for the opening of the base ball season. Other teams are being corresponded with, and the Baltimores and other teams will probably come down. Manager Mutrie and the colts spent some time in New Orleans last year, and Handsome Jeems may come to the Cresent City again this year. He has many friends down South who would be glad to see the youngsters of the gilt-edge team play ball.

Florida is rapidly coming to the front as a rival of California in thew inter base ball business. Mr. H. M. Flagler, proprietor of the famous Ponce de Leon Hotel, St. Augustine, has decided to fit up a winter ball park at St. Augustine that, in appointments and accommodations, will be second to none in the country. The contract has already been let for the construction of a magnificent grandstand, and by the time the regular season in the North is at end the St. Augustine Park will be ready to welcome the strong Northern teams. Mr. Flagler is determined to have the best, and his agents will engage the best base ball talent in the market. Offers will be made to leading league and association teams to spend the winter in Florida and make St. Augustine their headquarters. It is safe to say that the offers will be accepted, for there are few men in the base ball business who will refuse a life of ease and comfort in a beautiful climate with expenses guaranteed and a good profit assured. Besides base ball, the park will be used for bicycle, foot ball and tennis contests. St.

But few improvements will be made on the ball grounds at Ridgewood this season, other than to put up a wire fence around the outfield to keep the crowd off the diamond. Manager Wallace says that only a part of the ball ground belongs to the Ridgewood Exhibition Company, and that the lease for that part which does not belong to them will run out next season. In case it can be renewed, then the grounds will be reconstructed. The grand stand will be moved to the other side of the field, and the whole ground surrounded with free seats.

[quoting an unidentified New York afternoon paper] “A syndicate had been formed in this city with a view to running a club in opposition to the New Yorks, and that it was after the plot of ground on Eighth avenue, from One Hundred and Fifty-seventh to One Hundred and Fifty-ninth street, just above the Polo Grounds, and also wanted to take the latter on rental at the expiration of John B. Day's lease. One member of this syndicate has offered to get $1,000,000 to back the Brotherhood, he offering $200,000 himself. … “

…

President Day, of the Metropolitan Exhibition Company, leased the Polo Grounds from the Lynch estate for two years. This lease will expire next year. The syndicate could then, it is said, lease these grounds, as well as the lot above, and turn the whole into one of the finest base ball fields in the country. The projectors of the new deal say that there is a mint of money in base ball in New York, and that, as the Manhattan elevated railroad is to to build a line from the Third avenue terminus at One Hundred and Twenty-eighth street to One Hundred and fifty-fifth street, there will henceforth be many thousand more people attend the games than the Polo Ground can accommodate. A hotel is to be erected inside the grounds and plenty of room given for spectators and players.

...the players assembled in the club-house and heard President Day read these figures:

Gross receipts, world’s series.............................. $20,067.61

Expenses.............................................................. 7,902.86

______________

Net profit............................................................. $12,055.15

Of this sum each player received $380.13. The attendance at the nine games was: At the Polo Grounds, 22,264; at Washington Park, 24,702; total, 47,266. New York World October 31, 1889

The Brooklyn players’ share of the gate receipts in the recent games for the world’s championship amounted to $6,228.65. This was divided among sixteen men, including Manager McGunnigle. Thus each man received $389.29. New York World November 1, 1889

[from R. M. Larner's column] Many of the official and unofficial scorers are laboring under the impression that a base on balls is a factor in securing an earned run. The President of the League decided otherwise, although he admits that there is no specific mention of the fact in the proceedings of the League meetings of 1888-89. I had quite a long talk with Mr. Young on this point, and he states that when a base on balls was credited as a base hit, it was necessary that a base on balls should be given in an earned run. By abolishing the base-on-balls-a-hit rule, it was generally understood by the playing rules committee that a base on balls figured no longer as a factor in an earned run. The Sporting Life May 15, 1889 [N.B. The rules don't support Young's interpretation.]

In extenuation of his wretched work as an umpire Barnum declares that, under President Young's instructions, all close decisions should be given to the home club. Judging from the gentleman's umpiring, he must have mistaken the word “decisions” in Mr. Young's instructions for the word “games.