Clipping:Charges of thrown games by the Mutuals and Philadelphias
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| Date | Sunday, August 23, 1874 |
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| Text | In regard to the charges against the Mutual club, Mr. Davidson explains the matter by stating that Matthews was physically unable to pitch throughout the game in which it was alleged that a fraudulent arrangement had been made, and Mr. Gassette shows by statistics that the Mutuals played better than they did in the game they won, and that the Chicago nine played with far better effect than in any previous contest with the Mutuals. It would appear, therefore, that in the case of the Mutual nine trouble it is probable that no unfair play was intended. In the case of the Philadelphia nine, besides the open charge of fraud at Chicago, a Philadelphia paper says: “ A well-known gentleman made affidavit on Wednesday against five of the players, and alleges that in one game in which he was umpire one player approached him and stated that he had $300 bet against the Philadelphia, and that if the game was close and he would give decisions against the Philadelphia he would receive $150. He also charges that the four other players received money at different times to ‘throw’ games, and asserts that he can prove this beyond contradiction.” New York Sunday Mercury August 23, 1874 [see NYSM 9/6/1874, the copy partially mutilated: the umpire was McLean, accused Cummings, Craver, McGee, Hicks, Radcliffe.] [see also Philadelphia All-Day City Item 9/6/1874 for an interview of McLean.] [from a sworn affidavit by McLean, regarding the Philadelphias in Chicago:] I was approached by John Radcliffe, one of the players of the Philadelphia Baseball Club; he took me one side, by the hotel (Clifton) where they were stopping, and told me that he had $350 which he gave to his brother to be bet in Philadelphia on the result of this game, stating that at the same time that was all the money he had, and that he would give me one-half if I gave my decisions in favor of the White Stockings. He also stated that there were four others in which him. He then named them, as follows: Cummings, Hicks, Craver, Mack and himself, and wanted the game to result in favor of the Whites, when he offered me one-half the $350. I told him I would have nothing to do with it, and I said I would umpire the game the same as I had done all the other games. He said they were all together, and that Cummings was to put the balls right on the bat. During the game I saw Craver go to Zettlein at the end of one of the innings. He raised his hand to his mouth, and said “If you cannot win this game you cannot win any, as you have got it all your own way.” I also saw Craver, at second base, pick up a ball, drop it, fumble it, and instead of throwing it to first, having plenty of time, he threw backwards over his head. He also picked up a ball close to Mack and threw hard and wide to first base, to prevent the runner from being put out. Cummings, Hicks, Craver, Mack, and Radcliffe did not play, in my opinion, as they ought to play. Cummings pitched during the game for the batter; I mean to say that he pitched the ball as if he wanted the batter to hit it. Hicks did not throw to second base as he can do, and ought to have done, the players stealing second base with impunity. What confirmed me in my opinion was a remark that I heard Hicks make to Cuthbert: “If you can show me any man that is wrong, I will give you $25.” [a response by Radcliffe denying everything then follows.] New York Clipper September 12, 1874 [multiple reports come out of the committee investigating the charges] There was considerable discussion on the different reports, and most of those present gave their opinions. After this a vote by shares on the resolution to dismiss Radcliff was taken, resulting–yeas, 26; nays, 15; or, as individuals, yeas, 12; nays, 9. So it was carried. Philadelphia Sunday Dispatch September 13, 1874 One of the most significant facts in relation to the Philadelphia Club “hippodrome” case is the retirement of honest Charley Pabor from the club team. There is no player in the professional fraternity whose record for integrity stands higher than Charley Pabor’s; and when called upon to testify against the players charged with fraud, he refused to say anything, resigned from the club, had his papers canceled, and an honorable discharge given him. New York Clipper September 19, 1874 [see later in the same issue for the results: Radcliff expelled, the others exonerated.] The latest phase of the Radcliff case is the arrest of Wm. McLean, charged with slander, which took place last Monday morning. Radcliff swore that McLean, in charging him with having sold the Chicago-Philadelphia game, slandered him, and he, therefore, commenced a criminal prosecution. A preliminary hearing took place last Monday, when Fergy Malone and Dave Nagle entered bail to the amount of $2000 for McLean, to answer the charge at the October term of the Quarter Sessions. Philadelphia Sunday Mercury October 4, 1874 |
| Source | New York Sunday Mercury |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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