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  • BASE BALL. PLAYERS' LEAGUE. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1890/VOL_16_NO_12/SL... · one copy of the secret circular has been received ... "throw-down"
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Dec. QO. THE 8POKTI3STO LIFE. 3 BASE BALL. PLAYERS' LEAGUE. HO CHANGE IN THE STATUS OF THE DISRUPTED LEAGUE. lie Situation in the Various Cities Brooklyn's "Throw-Down" Johnson's Latest-News and Gossip. There is no change whatever in the status of the broken-down Players' League. The news, gossip and com- ment of the week concerning the re- maining clubs and the players of the organization is appended: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Johnson and ISrnncll Probably Working a lilufl' Game. The Chicago Herald, claims that Messrs. Johnson and Brunell are now working to organize a new league with the aid of the dis- gruntled stars of the late healthy Players' League. The Chicago paper says: "Al Johnson and Frank IJruncll have sent a icoret circular to every Brotherhood ball player the signers consider loyal to the cause. Only one copy of the secret circular has been received in Chicago. It reached Ed Williamson to-day. None was sent to Jimmy Hyan, who is on Bru- nell's blacklist. None would have been «ent to Williaruson had the conspirators known his dis- Cn*t of the writers and everything connected with tho aolhip^e.l League. The circulir shows ef itself that the ex-secretary is its author. Its ityle is as lofty as the letters he sent the news- papers last spring, wherein profits were figured in six numerals and much was snid concerning 'we, the people.' The confidential letter asks the players to remain loyal to the Players' League, promising that all amounts due will be fettled satisfactorily, and that the future is lined with gold and studded with diamonds. "The manifesto of Johnson and Brunell con- tinues that the National League- has acted shamefully in tho business negotiations opened with the members of the Players' League, and the undersigned, are shaping matters in such a way that their organization may be placed upon its feet once more. To do this the co-operation of the player is absolutely necessary. He is as- sured that the Players' League can live on; that a six or eight club circuit will be estab- lished; and he is requested to swear his alle- giance to the cause, aad promise by return mail to accept a smaller salary next season. If the players will agree to work at reduced wages, so the circular says, there will be every assurance that the season will be profitable, and having the co-operatien of the boys, Johnson and liru- nell promise that everything will turnout lovely. How the League is to be revived and its credit re- established, or on what basis the promoters of the abortive enterprise expect the scheme to jav expenses is not told in the circular." The Herald then proceeds to criticize the circular with unnecessary severity and wastes a good deal of breath and rhetoric upon it. The probability is that Johnson is simply lining all the efforts in his power to compel the Leaguers to treat him with decency and make as fair a settlement with him as they nre making with the other Players' League people. GETTING INTO LINE SLOWLY. The Pittsburg Club No it ring Consolidation Chasing; After Foreign. Charters, Etc. In Pittsbiirg the situation has cleared some- what, so far as the Players' League side of the deal is concerned. Charles Ueymer, the only remaining kicking stockholder, was bought out at his own figures last Saturday, and steps were then taken to liquidate all debts and raise the necessary $251X1 in cash the club is to put in the new organization. The aft'airs of the League side of this happy family are still unsettled, Messrs. Nimick and ti'Neil still being engaged in their ex- change of pleasantries. Despite this fact, how ever,the lawyers for the two parties made the first move last Monday to perfect the con- solidation by having the new cl ub i ncorporated A charter is to he secured from the State of Kcw Jersey, and Manager Hanlon left for Jersey City on Tuesday, where the club will locate an office, in conformity with Jersey law. The idea of securing a Jersey charter was the result of an interchange of opinion between J. Palmer O'Neil and the Players' League people. While the former favored a limited liability charter, the latter were op- posed to being governed by such an instru- ment. Had they attempted to secure an or- dinary charter it would have enjoined them from maintaining the club, if it were for the division of profits. To avoid all difficulty, then, J. Palmer O'Xeil suggested getting a charter from an adjacent .State. It was at first proposed to get a charter from West Virginia, but in view of the fact that New Jersey would be nearer New York, where the annual meetings of the National League are held, it was decided to get it from that State. All that is required is to keep an oflice in the State, which will be done at the cost of $i3 a year. The annual meeting of the club will also be held there. The charter will be secured at once und is considered one of the most liberal in the Vnitcd Slates. As soon as secured the club will elect officers and then the most ridicu- lous "throw-down" in the category of 1890 "throw-downs" will he complete and the - riit.slmrg National League Club blossom forth. ___ ___ DOWNED IN HKOOKLYN. Leauge, quit the business altogether, or se- cure an Association franchise from the joint conference, and this latteralternativx-depends altogether upon the New York Players' League people standing by Goodwill and re- fusing to consolidate until Brooklyn is taken care of. That's not a very strong raft to tie to considering the devious course of the New York men for the past two months. Alto- gether it's a tough situation for the Brooklyn Club, but not calculated to arouse much sym- pathy, as the majority stockholders of the concern were as deep in the Players'League "throw-down" a« the New York quitters. REGARDED AS A BLUFF. file Fla3-er»' League People Receiving the League Gaff Good ami Hard. Affairs in Brooklyn are still as far from settlement as they were at any time since, the matter of consolidation was first mentioned. The Placers' League people wanted to buy, and the League Club agreed to sell out its franchise, players, etc., and get out of the business for $125,000. but the price asked was n little too steep for the Players' League men. and there the matter rests. When asked if bin club would consolidate with the Play- ers' League Club, President Byrne said: "\Vliy, they have nothing but a lease on their .grounds to offer, and, as far as that is con- cerned, we have that much ourselves. Be- . sides, our grounds are a great deal better sit- tinted than theirs are. They cannot hold Iheir players, therefore we would virtually pnin nothing by consolidating with them." The Brooklyn League Club feeling that it has the Players' League Cluh in a hole puts (his ultimatum forth: We won't consolidate; AVC won't buy; we will only sell price, $rjo,000! There have been some red-hot meetings of the Brooklyn Plnyers" Club stockholders. Goodwill has gotten himself tangled up pretty badly, and it was stated that at last Monday's meeting he was afraid to face the stockholders and quietly jumped out West on ''business." Meantime, until he presents further reports of his conferences with Mr. Byrne, in which he has been completely out- generaled, nothing can be done. It appears certain, however, that through his incapacity he lias seriously imperilled the interests of his club. Mr. Byrne is taking things easy, and smiles complacently when he remarks that "he is tired of running after Goodwill, and that if the liiltcr wants to talk further business he will have to hunt him (Byrne) up at Wash- ington Park, where he can be found daily be- tween 7 and 7:15 A. M.," a time that probably ulways finds Mr. Goodwill in bed asleep. In the meantime the creditors of the club are kicking hard for a settlement, which can- not he made until Mr. Goodwill returns and suggests some way out of the hole he has put the club in. Its only alternatives to get out of that hole now arc to reorganize the Players' Difficulties in tile Way of Putting a League Club in Cincinnati Should the Old Club go on. The League Cincinnati bluff is becoming more apparent daily. The latest from Pork- opolis and from good League sources, too, is: "It is understood that tin agent of the new Cincinnati League Club was here endeavor- ing to renew the option on the old Bank street grounds the past week, but without success. General Hiekenlooper, the agent for the grounds, is willing to lease the property, but he will not renew the option." AN ALLEGED JOHNSON SCHEME. It is reported from Cleveland that the vice president of the Players' League intends put- ting the National League to some trouble be- fore it acquires the absolute control of the Cincinnati Base Ball Club. "Johnson," said this gentleman, "has $8000 invested in the Cincinnati Club and cun control all the other stockholders in it, save the New York capi- talists, whose investment was $7000, and Ad- dison, of Chicago, who put .f'JOOO of the $8(XK) which went into the club from Chicago. Johnson intends getting control of the greater portion of this stock, and then applying in the name of the Cin- cinnati Clnb for admission into the National League. Should iiis plea be ignored, he will wait until the schedule is announced, when, if his club does not figure in it, he will apply Tor an injunction restraining it from going into operation until it does. Johnson has a precedent in the Erastus Wioian case for do- ing aa he threatens to do." BRUNELL'S VIEWS. Secretary Brunei! writes of the situation in Cincinnati as follows: "So far the National League's Cincinnati move is a very thin bluff. If any local support is to be behind it, that support is yet to be secured. The only way Mr. Brush can get in there, in shape to do business, is to devote some of the $05,000 he got from the League toward buying out the present owners. There are no other grounds worthy of the name in Cincinnati, hut those owned by the Cincinnati Club. The talk about Aaron Stern or Harry Sterne seeking to get back into the League is all bosh. Both have signed a guarantee not to go into base ball in Cincinnati except with the consent of the men who bought them out. The Players' League has bought and paid for the Cincin- nati Club and the stock, contracts, and leases are in the hands of Vice President Johnson and Secretary Brunei). The property was sold to Johnson, Brunei!, J. M. Ward and E. B. Talcott, and so far it has cost $-14,700, con- tributed ;n follows: Boston, Prince, Hart, Haynes and Dixwell, SS200, Dixwell, $000; Brooklyn. Cluuincy, Wallace and Goodwin, $7000; E. F. Linton, .?(!<«!; George Wagner, fllUO; A. L. Johnson, S.S10H; Chicago, Addi- son, Weidenfellcr, Pfeft'er and Murdough, $7.:>00; New York, McAlpin, Talcott, Robin- son, $8100. Total, $44,700. There is about $1200 owing, and but for the slump $3000 worth of privileges, usually sold in Novem- ber, would have cleared off all debts aud left a balance in the treasury." SOME BENEFITS Directly Traceable to the Existence of the Players' League. While the Players' League has been the cause of the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars to the corporations engaged in the business, and has been largely responsible for the falling olf of public interest showiuluring the season of 1S90, its existence tins not been in vain. It has proved a misfortune to the capitalist and will prove one to the players, inasmuch as one of its results will be ft de- crease in salaries, owing to the necessity of recouping some part of the losses of 1890, and to the big iiK-rea.se in the number of star play- ers. There will be plenty of good men for nil positions, and therefore only the extraordi- nary players can command their o\vn prices, but in spite of these facts the season just past had its lessons and they have been well learned. On this point a New York writer says: "Hereafter there will bo very little injustice done by capitalists to their p'ayers, and the players themselves will not be apt to disturb an existing business whi:h is profitable to all part ies, with proper consideration and ample time being given for investigation and redress of al- leged grievances. Discipline will rule in all the olub>, players will be able to keep their huts on and the public will receive better valuo lor its money. Abuses that existed under the old order of things will cease, and the national game will start out upon a new era of prosperity." The writer might also have added that the war has taught the magnates the necessity of standing by each other, and has forced a more equitable division of gate receipts, together with a new and better contract for the play- ers. Truly the existence of the Players' League was not an unmixed evil, and might have proved a blessing to base ball had it been given more time~lo elaborate and per feet its theories and system. THE BOSTON SITUATION. Prince Unruffled and Calmly Confident How Things Look Through League Spec- tacles. President Prince, of the Boston Club, is as confident and mysterious as ever. Said he to a reporter the other day: "I intend to look out for the clubs thiit were loyal to our League, and I don't propose that anyone shall tell us what we shall do. The base ball patrons must have our club, and the magnates nil know it. Our boys are loyal to a man, and will stick with us, even to Kelly, whom the papers have roasted un- mercifully." The Herald, the League paper of the Hub, says fairly enough of the situation: 'The gentlemen connected with the Players'Lengue in this city have not stimulated the feeling ol confidence which they have shown ever since the close of the meeting in Pittsburg. They have only given out,and with thegreatest em- phasis, that there would be a second profes- sional club in this city, the League club not- withstanding. It is a fact that the stock ol several of the weak-kneed stockholders was bought out at what some regard the high price of seventy-five cents on the dollar, and the opportunity is afforded others to sell il they are afraid that they will be'left.' It is surmised that this feelinguf repose must come from promises that were authoritatively made tliat the Boston Players'Club would not be allowed to go to the wall. While there are some who still retain the feeling that the Lcaguf people should have entire control of the field, there is a host of people who would like to see two clubs in this city, and think that the rivalry in exhibition games would surely compensate for any possible loss, finan- cially, to the old club." BALDWIN'S CASE. An Anglo-Saxon, Not a Criminal, Who " Seeking His Liberty." In answer to a question concerning his Columbus reservation, Mark Baldwin said: "Why, I saw the club directors nt Colum- bus not long ago, and they told me that they had four good young pitchers whom they de- sired to keep, and that I might be given my liberty to yn where I liked. Treasurer A. B. Cohen, of the Columbus Club, was asked if they had ever had such a conversation with Baldwin. He said thai they had not; that the interview must be tic- tilious. The only conversation they had with him was to tell him that they were no! ready to sign any players until the matter o: arranging the circuit is completed. Tlu agreement between the clubs is that they shall wait until everything is settled in this connection. In Columtus the other day Qua Schmelz as asked what would be done with Mark Ja Idwin. This was his answer: To tell the truth I do not know what will >e done with him. We have four steady irst-class pitchers without Baldwin and ive, to my mind, is more than any club should attempt to carry, unless some of them are heavy batters, and can also be utilized iu he field. Of the Columbus pitchers but one s a good fielder, Kaston, and he is a light litter. I am not prepared to say that I vould dispose^jf one of these, Chamberlain, Knauss, Easton or Gastright and retain Baldwin. Of the four mentioned none of hem are stampeded or struck dumb if their delivery is hit; they are not quitters. So far as pitchers are concerned, I think we had as rood as were out last year, and as all, with he exception ot Chamberlain, are youngsters they will bebetterand more experienced next season. There are no 'lushers'among them. I think the Columbus Club will be found substantially the same its last year, although )irc or two positions might be strengthened, jut there is great danger in making changes, as one man is quite enough, if so disposed, to create quite as much havoc in a ball team as ahull in a china shop." O'ROt'HKE'S LATEST. The Orator Falling Over Himself In His Haste to <j«t Under Shelter. Jim O'Rourke has evidently come to the conclusion that the Players' League is done uid that the best thing he can do is to make iiis peace with the powers that be. He paves :he way for reconciliation in the following letter to one of the directors of the defunct New York Players' Club, which that person was only too glad to furnish the two New York organs ot the League: "Accept my most grateful acknowledgment for receipt of check covering balance due, indi- cating a» it does the spontaneous generosity of C'cl. Mi-Alpin, Mr. Talcott, Mr. Robinson and Postmaster Van Cott. Words are inadequate to express the fulness of try appreciation. The players of our club are indeed sensible of the ob- ligation they are under to you gentlemen, when your honorable conduct is contrasted with that of some of our associate*. Astoyour intentions, the intention of your associates to carry out con- clusions reached after mature deliberation to consolidate, which, in view of circumstances, means a restoration of the national game, you are to bo congratulated. "The wisdom of this movement i3 unques- tioned by tho conservatives of our party, and will be hailed with delight by all true lovers of the game. I see no reison why we, the players, ca:m<>t forget the past and enter this new move- ment in a genuine spirit of friendship. The capitalists have set us an example. All sensible players realize the necessity of letting the past bo buried in oblivion, and what the future do luands U the building up of the game and repair- ing, so far as possible, the damage our loyal people have sustained. There cannot, and there must not, be any recrimination!. Let us clasp bands over the bloody chasm and work as we have never worked before. Yours, sincerely, JAUES H. O'RorrRKE." The orator's epistolary effort was doubtless inspired by John B. Day's declaration that O'Kourke wasn't wanted in the consolidated New York team. AN IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE Between a Magnate's Newspaper Report and the Actual Facts. Either some papers are employed to mis- represent everything in connection with Players' League affairs aud Brotherhood men or else the unsophisticated reporters are being lied to regularly by the magnates. Here is a sample from the New York Herald: "Eirly in the afternoon John Ward sent a note to A. G. Spilding asking if ho coufd gram him a sh'>rt interview. Mr. ,S;»a!ding sent back word that he woul-i be at tho Manhattan C.ub house dunng the rest of tho day. Ward imme- diately went there and talked over matters with the League man for several hours. Mr. Strid- ing said afterward that Wa d had merely paid hiiu a social call, an 1 that the present base bail situation did not couieup for especial considera- tion. He 'aid AVarJ merely wanted to koriw bow thing? were running." _ 1 This is calculated to deliberately put Ward in a false position. Now, for a fact, Ward did*U(>t chase after Spalding, hut the reverse was the fact; Ward sent no note requesting a meeting, but the latter was brought about by a mutual friend, at Spakling's desire; Ward did not want to know how things were run- ning, as lie could see that with half an eye and without inquiry; and the present base ball situation did come up for consideration, so much so, indeed, that Spalding would not probably care about seeing a stenographic report of the conversation in print. IN HE-WAND. The Association Contingent of the Players' League Well ,-t iipreciatud. The two players must in demand and about every club seems to want them are Stovey and Ward. The Players' League was a good thing in one way, at least, viz.: It brought Association players to the front and demon- strated to the League followers and League writers that nil the good players in the conn try were not to be found in the parent organ ization. Men like Stovey, Bierhauer, \Vey- hing, McMitllou, Robinson, Welch, Lyons Foiitz, Colling, Smith, Pinkney, Burns O'Brien, Terry, Lovctt, Griffin, Shiudle Tucker, Quinii, Kilroy, Orr, Baldwin, Cham- berlain, O'Connor, Riley, Crooks, Cross, Mil- ligan, McPhee, Holliday, Mullane, Piekett Keenan Reilly, Marr, Comiekey, Boyle King, Browning, COOK, McCarthy, Wolf Khrct, Stratton. liyan and others that might be named, ail Association men, are fully the equals of the best talent the League has, or had before the smash-up last spring. News Notes and Comment. Come back, Goodwin; come back. Swel society and your base ball partners miss yon The dinky-dink is still being applied vigor- ously, and the wails of the sufferers are being heard over the laud despite the League's gag rules. Does Goodwin regret ever having gone in-tf that conference with his friend Talcott? The wife of Jay Fuatz died at Detroit 01 the 5tb iust. Amid the wild (?) rush of prodigals to theii respective clubs, it is noted that mastodonic John Milligan is not running over anyone It a frantic effort to get under the patenia' wings of the Von der Abe cherubs. Arthur Irwin is attempting to organize an Association football club in IJaston, which would join the American Association League If all goes well, it should be in kicking order by next season. Al Johnson and Frank Brunell have re ceived some seventeen letters from ns many players within the last ten days, asking for information and offering to go on fur the sea- son of 1801 aiul_takc chances. Four of the Cleveland.* of 1890, three of the Chicagos, two of the Pittsburgs, and one Philadelphia man two New Yorkers, two Brooklyn players and three from the champion Bostons have written in this strain. Three of the men de- clare tiiat they will play for their boim rather than return to the old condition ol things. In every instance the writers have been asked to wait a few days and to (Jo noth ing, as, judging from the throwing-down tac- tics of the old magnates, there is a probability that the old fight may be renewed. "Base ball next year will beat any season for the last ten years, is the way the capi talists are talking now." Pittsburg Pi-ess Capitalists are not safe prophets. The Players' Lengue capitalists thought last spring that 1890 would be the biggest season on record. We know the sad reality. If you want to know why the New York .S'«» has been such a persistent and unfair League partisan, glance at its advertising columns. A good-sized advertisement from Spaldiug Bros, may explain the bias of the sheet. Neither the World, Herald nor any other metropolitan daily enjoys such a signal mark of magisterial favor. The public is calmly looking on at the Kil- kenny "cat fight in Pittsburg and probably drawing its own conclusion!. The result will be painfully evident when the playing season opens. The Players' League laid itself out anil practically ruined itself also in building vast grand stands. Yet none equals incapacity the ;ranii stand at Moninoutli race track, which eats 2r,,000 people. " 'I would not be a magnate, and with the magnates stand" (refrain by Col. McAlpin, one of the New York millionaires." Phila- delphia Item. But he would act as agent for people far below him in the social scale to -lub.i in bis own organization to sell out to he rival league. It is stated upon pretty good authority that Brush is but a dummy for Spalding and that vhen the smoke of battle has cleared away and the dead are buried, Spalding will be the virtual owner of the Cincinnati Club at half >rice. Ed Andrews is now writing special articles 'or the newspapers on homing pigeons. In hisearly youth liarnie served asabroker, nit did not turn his Wall street education to as good advantage as some other people have lone. Up to date be has never yet "thrown down" anybody but himself. "All of'the brethren'seem to be rallying around Spalding. The leader of the lost cause is forgotten now as a leader." Cincin- nati Times-Star. Moths always flutter about the caudle. But the candle's glory is also short lived. The New York Players' League people are pleased to let Day run the consolidated New York Club, flud have every confidence n his business ability. That's a good thing ? or Day; how it will turn out for the "throw- ers-down" deponent sayeth not. Von der Abe hasn't quite so much confi- dence in Denny Lyons' good resolutions as ias Comiskey, and has, it is said, a line out for Joyce, of Ward's Wonders. It has been noted that the fair sex has borne a rather conspicuous part in the misfortunes of the Players' League. Last winter two hen- pecked ball players did much damage; this winter two hen-pecked capitalists were com- pelled to assist in its ruin. Charley King says he will not return to St. Louis to play on any club conducted by ['resident Von der Abe again, lie will, if wssible, sooner give his services to some club n a minor league. Manager Leadley, of Cleveland, has an eager eye upon Morgan Murphy, Boston's catching jewel. Murphy will stick to the Uoston Players' Club to the last. Al Johnson is now exclusively in the street railway business, and is frank in declaring that he expects to get the worst of any settle- ment between the National League's confer- ence committee and himself. Tom Loftus is being boycotted by the win- ning base, ball men because he was more a Players' League than National League man ast year. Toui will survive the League's hatred, though, easily enough. "The League seems sincere in the effort to 'nurse' Pittsburg back to life as a ball town. John M. War;l and Bierbauer ought to prove 'plasters' there." Cincinnati Timfs- litnr. Sincere, did you say? Wake up. The League is too keen after tho dollars to waste such drawing material as Ward and Bier- bauer on the "town of throw-downs." Spald- iug's eye-teeth were not cut a week ago. Billy Kuehne, according to a friend, has received two offers from Association clubs, one of them from Louisville, iu case of his release by the Pittsburg Club. The Brotherhood leader, John M. Ward, is thinking seriously of giving up ball playing to attend to his law practice. He will not allow himself to be used in any way, and says that base ball will lose all its interest for him if the Brotherhood players are mis- used in any way. It is said that the Boston League Club's manager, Frank Selee, recently went to New- Bedford to negotiate with Harry Stovey, but had only his pains for his labor. What about that League prohibition? Did the Brotherhood fall in to the soup along with thePlayers' League? They do say that Mike Kelly's play is to make a big "holler" from now on to escape from the triumvirs and facilitate his transfer to Chicago. Charles Beymer, the kicking Pittsburg Players' League Club stockholder, sold out his interest last Monday tor $400. "Tim Kecfe is preparing to sue the Players' League for the recovery of the money lost by his tirm under the contract, to supply the Players' League with its official ball. He liis i'Ut tlio Riatter in the hands of ex-Judge Dittenhoefer, who will bet'in an action early next year. Keefe says he will certainly sue for the money lost this year, and also possi- bly for the prospective profits for the two years the contract has yet to run." New York World. The New York people will probably, if Keefe is in earnest, be made the first object of legal attack, being most con- venient. "The secret of A. G. Spalding's conference with John M. Ward in New York Sat unlay has leaked out. It was no less than a desire on the successful magnate's part to get Ward to consent to come to Pittsburg. That lie succeeded in doing so emanates from a thoroughly reliable source. Mr. Spalding r.eted in the maiter as the representative of J, Palmer O'Neil, for whom lie entertains the highest personal regard und for whose courage iu maintaining a National League club in Pittsburg (luring the recent war he has the warmest admiration" Pittsburg Times. Who's been stuffing you? Spalding isn't noted fur generosity. He wants Ward for his Chicago Association team. This will do to tie to. Ed Morris is worrying about the renewal of the license of his Allegheny billiard room. "The esteemed and newsy SrouTixu LIKE is in error in its quotation anrnt 'Buck' Ewing attributed to tins paper in its last is-me. It is the fact that it is so seldom in error that the misquotation is noticeable." New York Press. Beg pardon. "Should the two Brooklyn clubs consoli- date, President Byrne will make a big effort to get Bierbauer, Kinslow, Van Haltivn, Weyhing, Hemming and Sowders, of the Players' League club." New York Press. There's a reason. The recent "waii" has not particularly cemented the old "friend- ship" between Byrne and Day, and the Brooklyn man will doubtless do his best next season to knock the New York team down and dance on their bodies and Day's pride. "Col. Johnson, of Cleveland, is raving again,"jocosely remark the League papers in chorus. Merrbe; but there's method in mad- ness sometimes. Mike Slattery, of the New Yorks, and his wife are in New YorK for the winter. Mike probably wants to be near the scene of action all the time. Spalding's visit to Cleveland was for the purpose of sizing up the new Cleveland grounds and Johnson's ball Dark. The result was not favorable to Johnson's prospect of a liberal settlement. Ed Crane's resolution,to which hcisstrictly adhering, should make him the star pitcher of tiie country the coining year. The New York Herald gives it out for a fact that the Boston Club wants John M. Ward. Spalding shouldn't fill his obedient servants on the New York press with so many fairy tales. Pfeffer and Duffy will go to the Boston League team, Fred taking care of second base. "\Vendell Goodwin will return from the West on Saturday. Then there is liable to be some new developments in the Brooklyn dicker."- New York Sun. New develop- ments? Well, we should smile. "There will be three managing directors to look after the affairs of the New York Club, but Mr. Day will have supreme cou- trol." New York Herald. Four men to look after a corpse and three to boss one. Well! Well! Business Manager Charlie Ward, who looked after the Brooklyn Club's finances last season proved himself to be a most capable manager and should easily secure a good berth for next season. "Pfefter's Players' League experience cost him $2iKK)." Exchange. It was worth that to know John Addison aud get away from Spalding. "As a'ball player Arthur Irwin is about dead to the world." New York Herald. That settles it. So long ns the Herald has said so poor Arthur is done for. Converts make the most zealous and sub- missive workers for their new cause. The Boston Globe affords a striking instance of this. The next meeting of the Brooklyn Players' League Club promises to be as exciting, in a way, as the coming Kilkenny election. Look out for a big howl from Chicago after the peace settlement. Addison is to be thrown pretty hard by that man of many promises, A. (i. Spalding. Frank Robinson, the New York director who, on the quiet, gave the Players' League its most fatal stabs, letting others take the public censure, the other day told a reporter that "if he had known Messrs. Day, Spalding, Byrne and other National League men a year ago he would never have been a Players' League backer." Heaven knows it would have been a good thing for the Players' League had Robinson never been born or be- come one of the backers who didn't back. There's some pleasure in the thought that Mr. Robinson will know the League gentle- men to his complete satisfaction in due time. Al Johnson will be the heaviest loser by the throw-down of the Players' League, but he will carry with him into retirement greater admiration and respect than any other Players' League magnate, except Prince and the Wagners brothers. Ho will also sleep sounder and walk the streets more erect than two-thirds of the other capitalists connected with the ill-fated organization. He ufjtle mistakes, of course, but nobody can accuse him of treason to his league or base treachery to his friends. The Cincinnati Times-Star wonders why the New York World has no love for Buck Kwing. Ask George Dickinson. The latter last June was on to the beginning of the scheme which finally led to the consolidation trap, but was prevailed upon to let up on Kwing although he accused the latter to his face of being a traitor to the Players' League. Dickinson now regrets keenly he did not then publish all the facts in his possession. Had he done so. instead of listening to the pleadings of Talcott, et al., things might have turned out different. We acknowledge the receipt of an invita- tion to the wedding of Mr. Fred H. Cnrroll to Nellie Claire. The marriage is to take place Jan. 1 at Trinity Church, San Jose, Cal. We congratulate the soon-to-be-united couple in advance and wish them long life and hap- piness. They both apparently believe in beginning a new year well. Messrs. Talcott and Goodwin would not have such good opinions of themselves ifthey knew the real estimate in which they are held by Spalding, who used them as catspaws and laughs about it now. The New York papers have all at once discovered that some of Ward's players last season were good ones. "John Ward is very anxious to go to Phila- delphia, and would 'like to play with and manage the Athletics. This would be a good thing lor the Wagners, and they would no doubt be willing to pay a good sum to bring it about, but it can only be considered among the possibilities at present." New York Star. Hanlon lost $4000, all the money he had, in the Players League this year. The following item is now going the rounds: "John M. Ward pronounces Fog- arty the greatest outfielder in base ball. He says that Griffin is a star, but that Fogarty is a phenomenon among stars." It is dollars to doughnuts that Ward never said anything of the kind. Even if he thought so be would be too shrewd to say so, because he knows that comparisons between players by a player are odious and not calculated to enhance popularity. Beecher. of Buffalo, wrote Ed Haulon ask- ing him what he advised him to do. Hanlon told him to do the best tor himself that he could. George Gore says nobody can transfer him to Washington as long as ttere is a chance to play in New York. Ilanlon and O'Xeil are to meet in New Y'ork Jan. '2 to make up next year's Pittsburg team provided O'Neil makesthe presidency. "The Wall Street League, that bad such a successful existence in ISSt!, will probably be reorganized for 1891. Al. Waldron, vice president of the Brooklyn Amateur League has been instructed to receive applications for membership, which are restricted to clubs composed of Wall street men only. Waldron's address is 11 Wall street." New York Clipper. Here's a chance for Talcott. He might be a king-pin in this league. BRUNELL'S_BODY BLOWS. Truth Unsparingly Dealt Out Responsi- bility For the Downfall of the Players League Some National League Men Cor- rectly Estimated Tellius Shots Planted Here and There. CLEVELAND, O., Dec. 18. Editor SPORT ING LIFE: Tell me not in mournful num bers that the Players'League is dead. Thai- organization may go, but there's a chance for one antagonistic to the old and not-yet-re juvenated-because-so-hungry masters. Am that's the League for the effort. The Play ers' League was a failure in its way, full o knots and idiosyncrasies and foolishness ant gewgaws. But with all its faults and fail ings it whipped the old organization ahnos to its knees, and a loyal, strong pull on tlx end, and together, would havetipped it into a dusty death. That's as sure as good mathe- matics. No one knows, outside the chiefs o the old and new leagues, how nearly gone the old one was and how ready to do business in the line of saving themselves the old peopli were when Messrs. Johnson, Talcott am Goodwill walked into that parlor at the Fifth Avenue for the first conference. In a:i hour Messrs. Talcott and Goodwill had shown the National League people how poor we were and then it was a case of one broken mai outblufting the other. We were in it at thai angle. The old folks had their own garni going then. The proper conference commit tee could have paved the way for a fair an' beautiful settlement that evening, for tin National League people bad no idea but tha we were all right financially and they knev how disfigured theirown features were. The) were ready to do anything, wipe out name consolidate, compromise, receive players am everything else. But when it dawned upor. them that we were as financially defaced they themselves their game was easy. Thei came individual dickering, distrust and th condition of things as they exist to-day. THE AMEJ'.ICAN ASSOCIATION'S CHANCE. The inner history of the American Associa tion of 18!K) would be very interesting. I al ready know that Columbus and St. Louis with Louisville as a side contributor, kep Brooklyn in the swim as long as it stayei there, and there were howls over bad loea administration of that club's affairs after th break up. Then, too, we now know that llo Chester, wilhout-Association possibilities, wn guaranteed against loss before going in. Th Metropolitan decision nails Syracuse nil' Toledo in us long as they keep the nails ii place themselves. There's some settling to b done and it is of a large order. Al Johnso said to-day: "lean say to Messrs. Lazarus an( Von der Alie for they are the financial mci that it is better for them to quit the Associa tion even with White Wings waving iiis Ha, and join the Players' League remnant thai pay three bluffing clubs to get out of the wa; for a possibility only. If you stay in the As sociation you must settle with Rochester Syracuse and Toledo. Come into a nei Players' League and those clubs would not b members. The Rochester obligation looks a if it ought to be kept. Settle that and 1 Toledo and Rochester stand the brunt of it own business investment and don't be taekc on to a three-minute vehicle. With thes cities in a twenty-five cent Sunday gam league, even though antagonistic to the si called National Agreement, prosperity woul be a probability. Here would be a prett Easter*. Boston, Dro klyn, Pliilulcl[iiiia, Bhltimoro or W&lern. CiiicliiiiHti, St. Louis. Or, if the Association people want to b under the N. A. umbrella, \\&il until a setth ment is, or is not, effected with Cleveland, an then insist on a club in Chicago; no matter i the town is so wedded to the National League. The Chicago National Agreement talk is fable anyway. Last spring there were mor base ball cranks in Chicago with bricks read to throw at the National League than iu an city in the country, and Boston and NV York hadji few. Mr. Spalding's "Chicago i essentially a National League city" equal Harry Weldon'g famous "Cincinnati is a N: tional Agreement town." Both jokes! Al cities are for the clubs, organizations and in strumeuts that give them good ball, and must be pardoned if I assert that Chicagoaii have rather been abused of late years am re "onto" the fact harder than a diamond, he American Association, however, had bet- 'r keep its eye on the gun! as it is trailed in icse days, and not let Cliicago and Boston et away. If necessary, Chicago can be en- red without the consent of the powers that ow be. THE CHICAGO'S DEAL AS IT LAID. What a fool settlement that Chicago affair as. Twenty-five thousand dollars, and some W-KK)worth,actual value, in New York stock, >r despite disinteretesd cries, I hegeneralopin- on about New York base ball isn't very flatter- ig. The opinion may be wrong. For Addi- in <fe Co.'s sake I hope it is. But even at par, Hfhata beautiful bargain for A. G. Spalding is? The park is a beauty. Of all our expen- ive plants none equalled this for base ball urposes outside of Cleveland. Its rental, tin, is but $15'JO per year, and the lease runs >ur years more. The park is directly in the lie of the World's Fair travel, and would, ithout base ball, earn a lot of money during 92. Mr. Spalding will never allow his ,eague team to play on the West Side with, lie Thirty-fifth street park vacant. He's oo good a business man for that. The play will e, should the poor old Association not get "the alf," to play the League team on the Soutu, ide and rent the present Spalding park. A LESSON IN ECONOMY. There's more money wasted in carrying urplusTiien, who are seldom or ever needed, >y iirst-class teams. A team with more than hirteen men in 1891 will be a rarity. What oolishness this extravagance in players :s. Ve carried about $6\>,ODO worth of such lux- iries last season. But under our peculiar tructure there was a necessity. Necessities oniehow nearly wrecked us. Carry ng ighteen men on a team, eight umpires and associate necessities proved very costly. Our impircs cost us $18,01)0 on top of the StW.OOO, ud £9000 of it was wasted. Then the law- ers got their share, and more is coming. \ltogethe- of our 1«X) shortage about $100,000 ;an be figured into luxuries, and the biggest )t them was the payment of thirty or more "layers which were not needed. This is an 'vil that needs legislation. It is one of the advantages of tho ri'-her elubovertlie poorer, riefore 1S84 we had the limit of men carried >er team down to fourteen, but it was swept iway with other fair bits in the laws whicli were originally placed there to enable tha poorer clubs to live. The i lea that the indi- vidual salaries must be kept down so as to enable the small operator to make a profit is alisu-d. The standard or mark is a false one, and the player who draws a lot of money in a small town team is wonh more than a mod- erate talented man in alargecity. Butitisnot so in the figures as juggled by the masters. Keep down the number of men and let the >rices stay where they are if you want ta succeed more or less rejuvenated ones. ANSON AND Sl'ALDING AS FIGHTERS. Old Anse was our bitter opponent all tha year. He "fit anil tit" from beginning to cud; coaxed, ridiculed and quarreled with, our men; pushed obstinately on, asserting at ill times that his organization was the best n the land and his team the best in the or- ganization. But he was an honest foe, and our men, albeit he sought their barm, acknowledged it, because they never lost a moment in guessing where Anson was. Such a figure comes out of any fight with credit, ami beside the sure thing shifters, like Ew- ing, stand as giants. Since the fight has changed and his opponents have had the worst of it Anson hasn't been fighting so hard. At times he has said kind words for and to the men who fought him hardest. His season's work, albeit mixed in with some luck, did more than all the tricky utterances of the "magnates" during the actual work iu the field. And A. G. Spalding, what figure did he cut in the fight? A central one, but a lucky one, too, because he happened to be there at the right time. It is certain that h's early talk did him no good. Certainly in ChicagJ it did him harm. His game wasoneof wreck- ing, rather than let the game get into other hands, and in his talks he boldly uncovered it. C. II. Byrne set up more of the trapsinto fthichonr business men walked than any- one in the National League, and at this time the credit for the victory, such as it was, goes to the Chicago man, who iscaifty, ytmi ia business and lucky, but not in it wi;h Byrne as u base ball diplomat. That's Al Johnson's opinion, too. NOTES AND COMMENTS. And Buck thinks I wanted the salary anil expenses. What did Buck want? The prieo of''throwing down" hi- fellow-players? I uiiderstand.it was Mr. K. B. Talcott who questioned the correctness of the gate receipt figures. That's like him and his knowledge of the New York Club's business. Mr. Spalding declares that Chicago is es- sentially a National League city. You should have seen those West Side grounds last May, June and July. Then the humor of the de- claration would come to you. Could John Ward have meant Jeems, the great, when he said to A. G. Spalding: "When I was captain of the New York Club the reason I resigned was that a man who had little knowledge of the game was continually interfering with my rights." A Chicago paper declares that Ryan wasn't sent one of the letters issued last week because be is on my black list. That isn't true. Kyau didn't get a letter because lie had openly de- clared against the Players' League. There's no danger of our lease in Cincin- nati reverting to A. S. Stern, Esq. We value it too highly for that. There is funny business going on at League headquarters over those young Cincinnati players, Clingman and Dolun. The meu were released before Oct. 15 by Secretary Sterne, after asking me, representing the purchasers, whether we wanted them any longer. The young players are being pinched by the National League, if at all. F. II. BKUSELL. THINK WELL OF IT. Bay Cily Favors the Organization of a New Northwestern League. BAY CITY, Midi., Dec. 16. Editor SPORT- ING LIFE: The letterrecently published irf your paper suggesting the formation of a Northwestern League, to be composed of Michigan and Indiana clubs, lias created much comment in this city. Nearly every- body seems to think it would lie a good thing to organize such a league, but at the same time they doubt if a strong club could be se- cured on a salary limit of $*OU or $1000 a month, as your correspondent says can be done. The failure of last year's International League has somewhat taken the vim out of the inerchants here and they do not propose to back another club unless its success can. be assured. However, if the salary list can be kept down and the proper men set to work at it, there is no doubt whatever but that a team can be made to pay in this city. As your correspondent states Bay City as a ball town cannot be surpassed by any city in the country. The Saginaw-Bay City Club last year drew larger attendances at home tlian" any other club in the League, and if every city had supported their team as well, the International would have finished the season and made some money, too. The press of the city is divided as to tho advisability of starting another club here. The Tribune, whicli is the leading paper, has taken considerable interest in the matter and has given it all the encouragement possible. It secured a number of opinions on the sub- ject last week from representative men of the town, and with but one exception all favored the idea. The Pre'xis has also favorably com- mented on trie scheme. The Times, however, seems to think that a good club cannot be obtained on a low salary limit and declares the people have had enougii base ball to last for many years to come. Its opposition is probably due to the fact that th" otiier papers favor the movement more tluiii anything else, so its opinion is not authorita- tive by any means. If a club should be established here there is one thing that will have to be done, and that is to secure grounds on this side of the river. No club could be made to pay ex- penses where the grounds are now, an 1 \t would be folly to attempt such a thing. MAC. SPORTING LIFE will be mailed post paid to any address in the United States and Canada one year for $4.(.W, six months for $2.25, three ruontlis for $1.25.

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Page 1: BASE BALL. PLAYERS' LEAGUE. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1890/VOL_16_NO_12/SL... · one copy of the secret circular has been received ... "throw-down"

Dec. QO. THE 8POKTI3STO LIFE. 3

BASE BALL.PLAYERS' LEAGUE.

HO CHANGE IN THE STATUS OF THE DISRUPTED LEAGUE.

lie Situation in the Various Cities Brooklyn's "Throw-Down"

Johnson's Latest-Newsand Gossip.

There is no change whatever in the status of the broken-down Players' League. The news, gossip and com­ ment of the week concerning the re­ maining clubs and the players of the organization is appended:

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

Johnson and ISrnncll Probably Working a lilufl' Game.

The Chicago Herald, claims that Messrs. Johnson and Brunell are now working to organize a new league with the aid of the dis­ gruntled stars of the late healthy Players' League. The Chicago paper says:

"Al Johnson and Frank IJruncll have sent a icoret circular to every Brotherhood ball player the signers consider loyal to the cause. Only one copy of the secret circular has been received in Chicago. It reached Ed Williamson to-day. None was sent to Jimmy Hyan, who is on Bru- nell's blacklist. None would have been «ent to Williaruson had the conspirators known his dis- Cn*t of the writers and everything connected with tho aolhip^e.l League. The circulir shows ef itself that the ex-secretary is its author. Its ityle is as lofty as the letters he sent the news­ papers last spring, wherein profits were figured in six numerals and much was snid concerning 'we, the people.' The confidential letter asks the players to remain loyal to the Players' League, promising that all amounts due will be fettled satisfactorily, and that the future is lined with gold and studded with diamonds.

"The manifesto of Johnson and Brunell con­ tinues that the National League- has acted shamefully in tho business negotiations opened with the members of the Players' League, and the undersigned,are shaping matters in such a way that their organization may be placed upon its feet once more. To do this the co-operation of the player is absolutely necessary. He is as­ sured that the Players' League can live on; that a six or eight club circuit will be estab­ lished; and he is requested to swear his alle­ giance to the cause, aad promise by return mail to accept a smaller salary next season. If the players will agree to work at reduced wages, so the circular says, there will be every assurance that the season will be profitable, and having the co-operatien of the boys, Johnson and liru- nell promise that everything will turnout lovely. How the League is to be revived and its credit re- established, or on what basis the promoters of the abortive enterprise expect the scheme to jav expenses is not told in the circular."

The Herald then proceeds to criticize the circular with unnecessary severity and wastes a good deal of breath and rhetoric upon it. The probability is that Johnson is simply lining all the efforts in his power to compel the Leaguers to treat him with decency and make as fair a settlement with him as they nre making with the other Players' League people.

GETTING INTO LINE SLOWLY.

The Pittsburg Club No it ring Consolidation Chasing; After Foreign. Charters, Etc.In Pittsbiirg the situation has cleared some­

what, so far as the Players' League side of the deal is concerned. Charles Ueymer, the only remaining kicking stockholder, was bought out at his own figures last Saturday, and steps were then taken to liquidate all debts and raise the necessary $251X1 in cash the club is to put in the new organization.

The aft'airs of the League side of this happy family are still unsettled, Messrs. Nimick and ti'Neil still being engaged in their ex­ change of pleasantries. Despite this fact, how ever,the lawyers for the two parties made the first move last Monday to perfect the con­ solidation by having the new cl ub i ncorporated A charter is to he secured from the State of Kcw Jersey, and Manager Hanlon left for Jersey City on Tuesday, where the club will locate an office, in conformity with Jersey law. The idea of securing a Jersey charter was the result of an interchange of opinion between J. Palmer O'Neil and the Players' League people. While the former favored a limited liability charter, the latter were op­ posed to being governed by such an instru­ ment. Had they attempted to secure an or­ dinary charter it would have enjoined them from maintaining the club, if it were for the division of profits.

To avoid all difficulty, then, J. Palmer O'Xeil suggested getting a charter from an adjacent .State. It was at first proposed to get a charter from West Virginia, but in view of the fact that New Jersey would be nearer New York, where the annual meetings of the National League are held, it was decided to get it from that State. All that is required is to keep an oflice in the State, which will be done at the cost of $i3 a year. The annual meeting of the club will also be held there. The charter will be secured at once und is considered one of the most liberal in the Vnitcd Slates. As soon as secured the club will elect officers and then the most ridicu­ lous "throw-down" in the category of 1890 "throw-downs" will he complete and the

- riit.slmrg National League Club blossom forth. ___ ___

DOWNED IN HKOOKLYN.

Leauge, quit the business altogether, or se­ cure an Association franchise from the joint conference, and this latteralternativx-depends altogether upon the New York Players' League people standing by Goodwill and re­ fusing to consolidate until Brooklyn is taken care of. That's not a very strong raft to tie to considering the devious course of the New York men for the past two months. Alto­ gether it's a tough situation for the Brooklyn Club, but not calculated to arouse much sym­ pathy, as the majority stockholders of the concern were as deep in the Players'League "throw-down" a« the New York quitters.

REGARDED AS A BLUFF.

file Fla3-er»' League People Receiving the League Gaff Good ami Hard.

Affairs in Brooklyn are still as far from settlement as they were at any time since, the matter of consolidation was first mentioned. The Placers' League people wanted to buy, and the League Club agreed to sell out its franchise, players, etc., and get out of the business for $125,000. but the price asked was n little too steep for the Players' League men. and there the matter rests. When asked if bin club would consolidate with the Play­ ers' League Club, President Byrne said: "\Vliy, they have nothing but a lease on their

.grounds to offer, and, as far as that is con­ cerned, we have that much ourselves. Be-

. sides, our grounds are a great deal better sit- tinted than theirs are. They cannot hold Iheir players, therefore we would virtually pnin nothing by consolidating with them." The Brooklyn League Club feeling that it has the Players' League Cluh in a hole puts (his ultimatum forth: We won't consolidate; AVC won't buy; we will only sell price, $rjo,000!

There have been some red-hot meetings of the Brooklyn Plnyers" Club stockholders. Goodwill has gotten himself tangled up pretty badly, and it was stated that at last Monday's meeting he was afraid to face the stockholders and quietly jumped out West on ''business." Meantime, until he presents further reports of his conferences with Mr. Byrne, in which he has been completely out­ generaled, nothing can be done. It appears certain, however, that through his incapacity he lias seriously imperilled the interests of his club.

Mr. Byrne is taking things easy, and smiles complacently when he remarks that "he is tired of running after Goodwill, and that if the liiltcr wants to talk further business he will have to hunt him (Byrne) up at Wash­ ington Park, where he can be found daily be­ tween 7 and 7:15 A. M.," a time that probably ulways finds Mr. Goodwill in bed asleep.

In the meantime the creditors of the club are kicking hard for a settlement, which can­ not he made until Mr. Goodwill returns and suggests some way out of the hole he has put the club in. Its only alternatives to get out of that hole now arc to reorganize the Players'

Difficulties in tile Way of Putting a League Club in Cincinnati Should the Old Club go on.The League Cincinnati bluff is becoming

more apparent daily. The latest from Pork- opolis and from good League sources, too, is: "It is understood that tin agent of the new Cincinnati League Club was here endeavor­ ing to renew the option on the old Bank street grounds the past week, but without success. General Hiekenlooper, the agent for the grounds, is willing to lease the property, but he will not renew the option."

AN ALLEGED JOHNSON SCHEME.It is reported from Cleveland that the vice

president of the Players' League intends put­ ting the National League to some trouble be­ fore it acquires the absolute control of the Cincinnati Base Ball Club. "Johnson," said this gentleman, "has $8000 invested in the Cincinnati Club and cun control all the other stockholders in it, save the New York capi­ talists, whose investment was $7000, and Ad- dison, of Chicago, who put .f'JOOO of the $8(XK) which went into the club from Chicago. Johnson intends getting control of the greater portion of this stock, and then applying in the name of the Cin­ cinnati Clnb for admission into the National League. Should iiis plea be ignored, he will wait until the schedule is announced, when, if his club does not figure in it, he will apply Tor an injunction restraining it from going into operation until it does. Johnson has a precedent in the Erastus Wioian case for do­ ing aa he threatens to do."

BRUNELL'S VIEWS.Secretary Brunei! writes of the situation in

Cincinnati as follows: "So far the National League's Cincinnati move is a very thin bluff. If any local support is to be behind it, that support is yet to be secured. The only way Mr. Brush can get in there, in shape to do business, is to devote some of the $05,000 he got from the League toward buying out the present owners. There are no other grounds worthy of the name in Cincinnati, hut those owned by the Cincinnati Club. The talk about Aaron Stern or Harry Sterne seeking to get back into the League is all bosh. Both have signed a guarantee not to go into base ball in Cincinnati except with the consent of the men who bought them out. The Players' League has bought and paid for the Cincin­ nati Club and the stock, contracts, and leases are in the hands of Vice President Johnson and Secretary Brunei). The property was sold to Johnson, Brunei!, J. M. Ward and E. B. Talcott, and so far it has cost $-14,700, con­ tributed ;n follows: Boston, Prince, Hart, Haynes and Dixwell, SS200, Dixwell, $000; Brooklyn. Cluuincy, Wallace and Goodwin, $7000; E. F. Linton, .?(!<«!; George Wagner, fllUO; A. L. Johnson, S.S10H; Chicago, Addi- son, Weidenfellcr, Pfeft'er and Murdough, $7.:>00; New York, McAlpin, Talcott, Robin­ son, $8100. Total, $44,700. There is about $1200 owing, and but for the slump $3000 worth of privileges, usually sold in Novem­ ber, would have cleared off all debts aud left a balance in the treasury."

SOME BENEFITS

Directly Traceable to the Existence of the Players' League.

While the Players' League has been the cause of the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars to the corporations engaged in the business, and has been largely responsible for the falling olf of public interest showiuluring the season of 1S90, its existence tins not been in vain. It has proved a misfortune to the capitalist and will prove one to the players, inasmuch as one of its results will be ft de­ crease in salaries, owing to the necessity of recouping some part of the losses of 1890, and to the big iiK-rea.se in the number of star play­ ers. There will be plenty of good men for nil positions, and therefore only the extraordi­ nary players can command their o\vn prices, but in spite of these facts the season just past had its lessons and they have been well learned. On this point a New York writer says:

"Hereafter there will bo very little injustice done by capitalists to their p'ayers, and the players themselves will not be apt to disturb an existing business whi:h is profitable to all part ies, with proper consideration and ample time being given for investigation and redress of al­ leged grievances. Discipline will rule in all the olub>, players will be able to keep their huts on and the public will receive better valuo lor its money. Abuses that existed under the old order of things will cease, and the national game will start out upon a new era of prosperity."

The writer might also have added that the war has taught the magnates the necessity of standing by each other, and has forced a more equitable division of gate receipts, together with a new and better contract for the play­ ers. Truly the existence of the Players' League was not an unmixed evil, and might have proved a blessing to base ball had it been given more time~lo elaborate and per feet its theories and system.

THE BOSTON SITUATION.

Prince Unruffled and Calmly Confident How Things Look Through League Spec­ tacles.President Prince, of the Boston Club, is as

confident and mysterious as ever. Said he to a reporter the other day: "I intend to look out for the clubs thiit were loyal to our League, and I don't propose that anyone shall tell us what we shall do. The base ball patrons must have our club, and the magnates nil know it. Our boys are loyal to a man, and will stick with us, even to Kelly, whom the papers have roasted un­ mercifully."

The Herald, the League paper of the Hub, says fairly enough of the situation: 'The gentlemen connected with the Players'Lengue in this city have not stimulated the feeling ol confidence which they have shown ever since the close of the meeting in Pittsburg. They have only given out,and with thegreatest em­ phasis, that there would be a second profes­ sional club in this city, the League club not­ withstanding. It is a fact that the stock ol several of the weak-kneed stockholders was bought out at what some regard the high price of seventy-five cents on the dollar, and the opportunity is afforded others to sell il they are afraid that they will be'left.' It is surmised that this feelinguf repose must come from promises that were authoritatively made tliat the Boston Players'Club would not be allowed to go to the wall. While there are some who still retain the feeling that the Lcaguf people should have entire control of the field, there is a host of people who would like to see two clubs in this city, and think that the rivalry in exhibition games would surely compensate for any possible loss, finan­ cially, to the old club."

BALDWIN'S CASE.

An Anglo-Saxon, Not a Criminal, Who " Seeking His Liberty."

In answer to a question concerning his Columbus reservation, Mark Baldwin said: "Why, I saw the club directors nt Colum­ bus not long ago, and they told me that they had four good young pitchers whom they de­ sired to keep, and that I might be given my liberty to yn where I liked.

Treasurer A. B. Cohen, of the Columbus Club, was asked if they had ever had such a conversation with Baldwin. He said thai they had not; that the interview must be tic- tilious. The only conversation they had with him was to tell him that they were no! ready to sign any players until the matter o: arranging the circuit is completed. Tlu agreement between the clubs is that they shall wait until everything is settled in this connection.

In Columtus the other day Qua Schmelz

as asked what would be done with Mark Ja Idwin. This was his answer:

To tell the truth I do not know what will >e done with him. We have four steady irst-class pitchers without Baldwin and ive, to my mind, is more than any club

should attempt to carry, unless some of them are heavy batters, and can also be utilized iu he field. Of the Columbus pitchers but one s a good fielder, Kaston, and he is a light litter. I am not prepared to say that I vould dispose^jf one of these, Chamberlain, Knauss, Easton or Gastright and retain Baldwin. Of the four mentioned none of hem are stampeded or struck dumb if their

delivery is hit; they are not quitters. So far as pitchers are concerned, I think we had as rood as were out last year, and as all, with he exception ot Chamberlain, are youngsters

they will bebetterand more experienced next season. There are no 'lushers'among them. I think the Columbus Club will be found substantially the same its last year, although )irc or two positions might be strengthened, jut there is great danger in making changes, as one man is quite enough, if so disposed, to create quite as much havoc in a ball team as ahull in a china shop."

O'ROt'HKE'S LATEST.

The Orator Falling Over Himself In His Haste to <j«t Under Shelter.

Jim O'Rourke has evidently come to the conclusion that the Players' League is done uid that the best thing he can do is to make iiis peace with the powers that be. He paves :he way for reconciliation in the following letter to one of the directors of the defunct New York Players' Club, which that person was only too glad to furnish the two New York organs ot the League:

"Accept my most grateful acknowledgment for receipt of check covering balance due, indi­ cating a» it does the spontaneous generosity of C'cl. Mi-Alpin, Mr. Talcott, Mr. Robinson and Postmaster Van Cott. Words are inadequate to express the fulness of try appreciation. The players of our club are indeed sensible of the ob­ ligation they are under to you gentlemen, when your honorable conduct is contrasted with that of some of our associate*. Astoyour intentions, the intention of your associates to carry out con­ clusions reached after mature deliberation to consolidate, which, in view of circumstances, means a restoration of the national game, you are to bo congratulated.

"The wisdom of this movement i3 unques­ tioned by tho conservatives of our party, and will be hailed with delight by all true lovers of the game. I see no reison why we, the players, ca:m<>t forget the past and enter this new move­ ment in a genuine spirit of friendship. The capitalists have set us an example. All sensible players realize the necessity of letting the past bo buried in oblivion, and what the future do luands U the building up of the game and repair­ ing, so far as possible, the damage our loyal people have sustained. There cannot, and there must not, be any recrimination!. Let us clasp bands over the bloody chasm and work as we have never worked before.

Yours, sincerely, JAUES H. O'RorrRKE."The orator's epistolary effort was doubtless

inspired by John B. Day's declaration that O'Kourke wasn't wanted in the consolidated New York team.

AN IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE

Between a Magnate's Newspaper Report and the Actual Facts.

Either some papers are employed to mis­ represent everything in connection with Players' League affairs aud Brotherhood men or else the unsophisticated reporters are being lied to regularly by the magnates. Here is a sample from the New York Herald:

"Eirly in the afternoon John Ward sent a note to A. G. Spilding asking if ho coufd gram him a sh'>rt interview. Mr. ,S;»a!ding sent back word that he woul-i be at tho Manhattan C.ub house dunng the rest of tho day. Ward imme­ diately went there and talked over matters with the League man for several hours. Mr. Strid­ ing said afterward that Wa d had merely paid hiiu a social call, an 1 that the present base bail situation did not couieup for especial considera­ tion. He 'aid AVarJ merely wanted to koriw bow thing? were running." _ 1

This is calculated to deliberately put Ward in a false position. Now, for a fact, Ward did*U(>t chase after Spalding, hut the reverse was the fact; Ward sent no note requesting a meeting, but the latter was brought about by a mutual friend, at Spakling's desire; Ward did not want to know how things were run­ ning, as lie could see that with half an eye and without inquiry; and the present base ball situation did come up for consideration, so much so, indeed, that Spalding would not probably care about seeing a stenographic report of the conversation in print.

IN HE-WAND.

The Association Contingent of the Players'League Well ,-t iipreciatud.

The two players must in demand and about every club seems to want them are Stovey and Ward. The Players' League was a good thing in one way, at least, viz.: It brought Association players to the front and demon­ strated to the League followers and League writers that nil the good players in the conn try were not to be found in the parent organ ization. Men like Stovey, Bierhauer, \Vey- hing, McMitllou, Robinson, Welch, Lyons Foiitz, Colling, Smith, Pinkney, Burns O'Brien, Terry, Lovctt, Griffin, Shiudle Tucker, Quinii, Kilroy, Orr, Baldwin, Cham­ berlain, O'Connor, Riley, Crooks, Cross, Mil- ligan, McPhee, Holliday, Mullane, Piekett Keenan Reilly, Marr, Comiekey, Boyle King, Browning, COOK, McCarthy, Wolf Khrct, Stratton. liyan and others that might be named, ail Association men, are fully the equals of the best talent the League has, or had before the smash-up last spring.

News Notes and Comment.Come back, Goodwin; come back. Swel

society and your base ball partners miss yonThe dinky-dink is still being applied vigor­

ously, and the wails of the sufferers are being heard over the laud despite the League's gag rules.

Does Goodwin regret ever having gone in-tf that conference with his friend Talcott?

The wife of Jay Fuatz died at Detroit 01 the 5tb iust.

Amid the wild (?) rush of prodigals to theii respective clubs, it is noted that mastodonic John Milligan is not running over anyone It a frantic effort to get under the patenia' wings of the Von der Abe cherubs.

Arthur Irwin is attempting to organize an Association football club in IJaston, which would join the American Association League If all goes well, it should be in kicking order by next season.

Al Johnson and Frank Brunell have re ceived some seventeen letters from ns many players within the last ten days, asking for information and offering to go on fur the sea­ son of 1801 aiul_takc chances. Four of the Cleveland.* of 1890, three of the Chicagos, two of the Pittsburgs, and one Philadelphia man two New Yorkers, two Brooklyn players and three from the champion Bostons have written in this strain. Three of the men de­ clare tiiat they will play for their boim rather than return to the old condition ol things. In every instance the writers have been asked to wait a few days and to (Jo noth ing, as, judging from the throwing-down tac­ tics of the old magnates, there is a probability that the old fight may be renewed.

"Base ball next year will beat any season for the last ten years, is the way the capi talists are talking now." Pittsburg Pi-ess Capitalists are not safe prophets. The Players' Lengue capitalists thought last spring that 1890 would be the biggest season on record. We know the sad reality.

If you want to know why the New York .S'«» has been such a persistent and unfair League partisan, glance at its advertising columns. A good-sized advertisement from Spaldiug Bros, may explain the bias of the sheet. Neither the World, Herald nor any other metropolitan daily enjoys such a signal mark of magisterial favor.

The public is calmly looking on at the Kil­ kenny "cat fight in Pittsburg and probably drawing its own conclusion!. The result will be painfully evident when the playing season opens.

The Players' League laid itself out anil practically ruined itself also in building vast

grand stands. Yet none equals incapacity the ;ranii stand at Moninoutli race track, which eats 2r,,000 people." 'I would not be a magnate, and with the

magnates stand" (refrain by Col. McAlpin, one of the New York millionaires." Phila­ delphia Item. But he would act as agent for people far below him in the social scale to -lub.i in bis own organization to sell out to he rival league.

It is stated upon pretty good authority that Brush is but a dummy for Spalding and that vhen the smoke of battle has cleared away

and the dead are buried, Spalding will be the virtual owner of the Cincinnati Club at half >rice.

Ed Andrews is now writing special articles 'or the newspapers on homing pigeons.

In hisearly youth liarnie served asabroker, nit did not turn his Wall street education to

as good advantage as some other people have lone. Up to date be has never yet "thrown down" anybody but himself.

"All of'the brethren'seem to be rallying around Spalding. The leader of the lost cause is forgotten now as a leader." Cincin­ nati Times-Star. Moths always flutter about the caudle. But the candle's glory is also short lived.

The New York Players' League people are pleased to let Day run the consolidated New York Club, flud have every confidence n his business ability. That's a good thing

?or Day; how it will turn out for the "throw­ ers-down" deponent sayeth not.

Von der Abe hasn't quite so much confi­ dence in Denny Lyons' good resolutions as ias Comiskey, and has, it is said, a line out for Joyce, of Ward's Wonders.

It has been noted that the fair sex has borne a rather conspicuous part in the misfortunes of the Players' League. Last winter two hen­ pecked ball players did much damage; this winter two hen-pecked capitalists were com­ pelled to assist in its ruin.

Charley King says he will not return to St. Louis to play on any club conducted by ['resident Von der Abe again, lie will, if wssible, sooner give his services to some club n a minor league.

Manager Leadley, of Cleveland, has an eager eye upon Morgan Murphy, Boston's catching jewel. Murphy will stick to the Uoston Players' Club to the last.

Al Johnson is now exclusively in the street railway business, and is frank in declaring that he expects to get the worst of any settle­ ment between the National League's confer­ ence committee and himself.

Tom Loftus is being boycotted by the win­ ning base, ball men because he was more a Players' League than National League man ast year. Toui will survive the League's hatred, though, easily enough.

"The League seems sincere in the effort to 'nurse' Pittsburg back to life as a ball town. John M. War;l and Bierbauer ought to prove 'plasters' there." Cincinnati Timfs- litnr. Sincere, did you say? Wake up. The League is too keen after tho dollars to waste such drawing material as Ward and Bier- bauer on the "town of throw-downs." Spald- iug's eye-teeth were not cut a week ago.

Billy Kuehne, according to a friend, has received two offers from Association clubs, one of them from Louisville, iu case of his release by the Pittsburg Club.

The Brotherhood leader, John M. Ward, is thinking seriously of giving up ball playing to attend to his law practice. He will not allow himself to be used in any way, and says that base ball will lose all its interest for him if the Brotherhood players are mis­ used in any way.

It is said that the Boston League Club's manager, Frank Selee, recently went to New- Bedford to negotiate with Harry Stovey, but had only his pains for his labor. What about that League prohibition?

Did the Brotherhood fall in to the soup along with thePlayers' League?

They do say that Mike Kelly's play is to make a big "holler" from now on to escape from the triumvirs and facilitate his transfer to Chicago.

Charles Beymer, the kicking Pittsburg Players' League Club stockholder, sold out his interest last Monday tor $400.

"Tim Kecfe is preparing to sue the Players' League for the recovery of the money lost by his tirm under the contract, to supply the Players' League with its official ball. He liis i'Ut tlio Riatter in the hands of ex-Judge Dittenhoefer, who will bet'in an action early next year. Keefe says he will certainly sue for the money lost this year, and also possi­ bly for the prospective profits for the two years the contract has yet to run." New York World. The New York people will probably, if Keefe is in earnest, be made the first object of legal attack, being most con­ venient.

"The secret of A. G. Spalding's conference with John M. Ward in New York Sat unlay has leaked out. It was no less than a desire on the successful magnate's part to get Ward to consent to come to Pittsburg. That lie succeeded in doing so emanates from a thoroughly reliable source. Mr. Spalding r.eted in the maiter as the representative of J, Palmer O'Neil, for whom lie entertains the highest personal regard und for whose courage iu maintaining a National League club in Pittsburg (luring the recent war he has the warmest admiration" Pittsburg Times. Who's been stuffing you? Spalding isn't noted fur generosity. He wants Ward for his Chicago Association team. This will do to tie to.

Ed Morris is worrying about the renewal of the license of his Allegheny billiard room.

"The esteemed and newsy SrouTixu LIKE is in error in its quotation anrnt 'Buck' Ewing attributed to tins paper in its last is-me. It is the fact that it is so seldom in error that the misquotation is noticeable." New York Press. Beg pardon.

"Should the two Brooklyn clubs consoli­ date, President Byrne will make a big effort to get Bierbauer, Kinslow, Van Haltivn, Weyhing, Hemming and Sowders, of the Players' League club." New York Press. There's a reason. The recent "waii" has not particularly cemented the old "friend­ ship" between Byrne and Day, and the Brooklyn man will doubtless do his best next season to knock the New York team down and dance on their bodies and Day's pride.

"Col. Johnson, of Cleveland, is raving again,"jocosely remark the League papers in chorus. Merrbe; but there's method in mad­ ness sometimes.

Mike Slattery, of the New Yorks, and his wife are in New YorK for the winter. Mike probably wants to be near the scene of action all the time.

Spalding's visit to Cleveland was for the purpose of sizing up the new Cleveland grounds and Johnson's ball Dark. The result was not favorable to Johnson's prospect of a liberal settlement.

Ed Crane's resolution,to which hcisstrictly adhering, should make him the star pitcher of tiie country the coining year.

The New York Herald gives it out for a fact that the Boston Club wants John M. Ward. Spalding shouldn't fill his obedient servants on the New York press with so many fairy tales. Pfeffer and Duffy will go to the Boston League team, Fred taking care of second base.

"\Vendell Goodwin will return from the West on Saturday. Then there is liable to be some new developments in the Brooklyn dicker."- New York Sun. New develop­ ments? Well, we should smile.

"There will be three managing directors to look after the affairs of the New York Club, but Mr. Day will have supreme cou- trol." New York Herald. Four men to look after a corpse and three to boss one. Well! Well!

Business Manager Charlie Ward, who looked after the Brooklyn Club's finances last season proved himself to be a most capable manager and should easily secure a good berth for next season.

"Pfefter's Players' League experience cost him $2iKK)." Exchange. It was worth that to know John Addison aud get away from Spalding.

"As a'ball player Arthur Irwin is about dead to the world." New York Herald. That settles it. So long ns the Herald has said so poor Arthur is done for.

Converts make the most zealous and sub­ missive workers for their new cause. The Boston Globe affords a striking instance of this.

The next meeting of the Brooklyn Players' League Club promises to be as exciting, in a way, as the coming Kilkenny election.

Look out for a big howl from Chicago after

the peace settlement. Addison is to be thrown pretty hard by that man of many promises, A. (i. Spalding.

Frank Robinson, the New York director who, on the quiet, gave the Players' League its most fatal stabs, letting others take the public censure, the other day told a reporter that "if he had known Messrs. Day, Spalding, Byrne and other National League men a year ago he would never have been a Players' League backer." Heaven knows it would have been a good thing for the Players' League had Robinson never been born or be­ come one of the backers who didn't back. There's some pleasure in the thought that Mr. Robinson will know the League gentle­ men to his complete satisfaction in due time.

Al Johnson will be the heaviest loser by the throw-down of the Players' League, but he will carry with him into retirement greater admiration and respect than any other Players' League magnate, except Prince and the Wagners brothers. Ho will also sleep sounder and walk the streets more erect than two-thirds of the other capitalists connected with the ill-fated organization. He ufjtle mistakes, of course, but nobody can accuse him of treason to his league or base treachery to his friends.

The Cincinnati Times-Star wonders why the New York World has no love for Buck Kwing. Ask George Dickinson. The latter last June was on to the beginning of the scheme which finally led to the consolidation trap, but was prevailed upon to let up on Kwing although he accused the latter to his face of being a traitor to the Players' League. Dickinson now regrets keenly he did not then publish all the facts in his possession. Had he done so. instead of listening to the pleadings of Talcott, et al., things might have turned out different.

We acknowledge the receipt of an invita­ tion to the wedding of Mr. Fred H. Cnrroll to Nellie Claire. The marriage is to take place Jan. 1 at Trinity Church, San Jose, Cal. We congratulate the soon-to-be-united couple in advance and wish them long life and hap­ piness. They both apparently believe in beginning a new year well.

Messrs. Talcott and Goodwin would not have such good opinions of themselves ifthey knew the real estimate in which they are held by Spalding, who used them as catspaws and laughs about it now.

The New York papers have all at once discovered that some of Ward's players last season were good ones.

"John Ward is very anxious to go to Phila­ delphia, and would 'like to play with and manage the Athletics. This would be a good thing lor the Wagners, and they would no doubt be willing to pay a good sum to bring it about, but it can only be considered among the possibilities at present." New York Star.

Hanlon lost $4000, all the money he had, in the Players League this year.

The following item is now going the rounds: "John M. Ward pronounces Fog- arty the greatest outfielder in base ball. He says that Griffin is a star, but that Fogarty is a phenomenon among stars." It is dollars to doughnuts that Ward never said anything of the kind. Even if he thought so be would be too shrewd to say so, because he knows that comparisons between players by a player are odious and not calculated to enhance popularity.

Beecher. of Buffalo, wrote Ed Haulon ask­ ing him what he advised him to do. Hanlon told him to do the best tor himself that he could.

George Gore says nobody can transfer him to Washington as long as ttere is a chance to play in New York.

Ilanlon and O'Xeil are to meet in New Y'ork Jan. '2 to make up next year's Pittsburg team provided O'Neil makesthe presidency.

"The Wall Street League, that bad such a successful existence in ISSt!, will probably be reorganized for 1891. Al. Waldron, vice president of the Brooklyn Amateur League has been instructed to receive applications for membership, which are restricted to clubs composed of Wall street men only. Waldron's address is 11 Wall street." New York Clipper. Here's a chance for Talcott. He might be a king-pin in this league.

BRUNELL'S_BODY BLOWS.Truth Unsparingly Dealt Out Responsi­

bility For the Downfall of the Players League Some National League Men Cor­ rectly Estimated Tellius Shots Planted Here and There.CLEVELAND, O., Dec. 18. Editor SPORT

ING LIFE: Tell me not in mournful num bers that the Players'League is dead. Thai- organization may go, but there's a chance for one antagonistic to the old and not-yet-re juvenated-because-so-hungry masters. Am that's the League for the effort. The Play ers' League was a failure in its way, full o knots and idiosyncrasies and foolishness ant gewgaws. But with all its faults and fail ings it whipped the old organization ahnos to its knees, and a loyal, strong pull on tlx end, and together, would havetipped it into a dusty death. That's as sure as good mathe­ matics. No one knows, outside the chiefs o the old and new leagues, how nearly gone the old one was and how ready to do business in the line of saving themselves the old peopli were when Messrs. Johnson, Talcott am Goodwill walked into that parlor at the Fifth Avenue for the first conference. In a:i hour Messrs. Talcott and Goodwill had shown the National League people how poor we were and then it was a case of one broken mai outblufting the other. We were in it at thai angle. The old folks had their own garni going then. The proper conference commit tee could have paved the way for a fair an' beautiful settlement that evening, for tin National League people bad no idea but tha we were all right financially and they knev how disfigured theirown features were. The) were ready to do anything, wipe out name consolidate, compromise, receive players am everything else. But when it dawned upor. them that we were as financially defaced they themselves their game was easy. Thei came individual dickering, distrust and th condition of things as they exist to-day.

THE AMEJ'.ICAN ASSOCIATION'S CHANCE. The inner history of the American Associa

tion of 18!K) would be very interesting. I al ready know that Columbus and St. Louis with Louisville as a side contributor, kep Brooklyn in the swim as long as it stayei there, and there were howls over bad loea administration of that club's affairs after th break up. Then, too, we now know that llo Chester, wilhout-Association possibilities, wn guaranteed against loss before going in. Th Metropolitan decision nails Syracuse nil' Toledo in us long as they keep the nails ii place themselves. There's some settling to b done and it is of a large order. Al Johnso said to-day: "lean say to Messrs. Lazarus an( Von der Alie for they are the financial mci that it is better for them to quit the Associa tion even with White Wings waving iiis Ha, and join the Players' League remnant thai pay three bluffing clubs to get out of the wa; for a possibility only. If you stay in the As sociation you must settle with Rochester Syracuse and Toledo. Come into a nei Players' League and those clubs would not b members. The Rochester obligation looks a if it ought to be kept. Settle that and 1 Toledo and Rochester stand the brunt of it own business investment and don't be taekc on to a three-minute vehicle. With thes cities in a twenty-five cent Sunday gam league, even though antagonistic to the si called National Agreement, prosperity woul be a probability. Here would be a prett

Easter*.Boston, Dro klyn, Pliilulcl[iiiia, Bhltimoro or

W&lern.

CiiicliiiiHti, St. Louis.

Or, if the Association people want to b under the N. A. umbrella, \\&il until a setth ment is, or is not, effected with Cleveland, an then insist on a club in Chicago; no matter i the town is so wedded to the National League. The Chicago National Agreement talk is fable anyway. Last spring there were mor base ball cranks in Chicago with bricks read to throw at the National League than iu an city in the country, and Boston and NV York hadji few. Mr. Spalding's "Chicago i essentially a National League city" equal Harry Weldon'g famous "Cincinnati is a N: tional Agreement town." Both jokes! Al cities are for the clubs, organizations and in strumeuts that give them good ball, and must be pardoned if I assert that Chicagoaii have rather been abused of late years am

re "onto" the fact harder than a diamond, he American Association, however, had bet- 'r keep its eye on the gun! as it is trailed in icse days, and not let Cliicago and Boston et away. If necessary, Chicago can be en- red without the consent of the powers that ow be.

THE CHICAGO'S DEAL AS IT LAID. What a fool settlement that Chicago affair

as. Twenty-five thousand dollars, and someW-KK)worth,actual value, in New York stock,>r despite disinteretesd cries, I hegeneralopin-

on about New York base ball isn't very flatter-ig. The opinion may be wrong. For Addi-in <fe Co.'s sake I hope it is. But even at par,

Hfhata beautiful bargain for A. G. Spaldingis? The park is a beauty. Of all our expen-

ive plants none equalled this for base ballurposes outside of Cleveland. Its rental,

tin, is but $15'JO per year, and the lease runs>ur years more. The park is directly in thelie of the World's Fair travel, and would,ithout base ball, earn a lot of money during92. Mr. Spalding will never allow his

,eague team to play on the West Side with,lie Thirty-fifth street park vacant. He'soo good a business man for that. The play wille, should the poor old Association not get "thealf," to play the League team on the Soutu,ide and rent the present Spalding park.

A LESSON IN ECONOMY. There's more money wasted in carrying

urplusTiien, who are seldom or ever needed, >y iirst-class teams. A team with more than hirteen men in 1891 will be a rarity. What oolishness this extravagance in players :s. Ve carried about $6\>,ODO worth of such lux- iries last season. But under our peculiar tructure there was a necessity. Necessities oniehow nearly wrecked us. Carry ng ighteen men on a team, eight umpires and

associate necessities proved very costly. Our impircs cost us $18,01)0 on top of the StW.OOO, ud £9000 of it was wasted. Then the law- ers got their share, and more is coming.

\ltogethe- of our 1«X) shortage about $100,000 ;an be figured into luxuries, and the biggest )t them was the payment of thirty or more "layers which were not needed. This is an 'vil that needs legislation. It is one of the advantages of tho ri'-her elubovertlie poorer, riefore 1S84 we had the limit of men carried >er team down to fourteen, but it was swept iway with other fair bits in the laws whicli were originally placed there to enable tha poorer clubs to live. The i lea that the indi­ vidual salaries must be kept down so as to enable the small operator to make a profit is alisu-d. The standard or mark is a false one, and the player who draws a lot of money in a small town team is wonh more than a mod­ erate talented man in alargecity. Butitisnot so in the figures as juggled by the masters. Keep down the number of men and let the >rices stay where they are if you want ta

succeed more or less rejuvenated ones.ANSON AND Sl'ALDING AS FIGHTERS.

Old Anse was our bitter opponent all tha year. He "fit anil tit" from beginning to cud; coaxed, ridiculed and quarreled with, our men; pushed obstinately on, asserting at ill times that his organization was the best n the land and his team the best in the or­

ganization. But he was an honest foe, and our men, albeit he sought their barm, acknowledged it, because they never lost a moment in guessing where Anson was. Such a figure comes out of any fight with credit, ami beside the sure thing shifters, like Ew­ ing, stand as giants. Since the fight has changed and his opponents have had the worst of it Anson hasn't been fighting so hard. At times he has said kind words for and to the men who fought him hardest. His season's work, albeit mixed in with some luck, did more than all the tricky utterances of the "magnates" during the actual work iu the field.

And A. G. Spalding, what figure did he cut in the fight? A central one, but a lucky one, too, because he happened to be there at the right time. It is certain that h's early talk did him no good. Certainly in ChicagJ it did him harm. His game wasoneof wreck­ ing, rather than let the game get into other hands, and in his talks he boldly uncovered it. C. II. Byrne set up more of the trapsinto fthichonr business men walked than any­ one in the National League, and at this time the credit for the victory, such as it was, goes to the Chicago man, who iscaifty, ytmi ia business and lucky, but not in it wi;h Byrne as u base ball diplomat. That's Al Johnson's opinion, too.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.And Buck thinks I wanted the salary anil

expenses. What did Buck want? The prieo of''throwing down" hi- fellow-players?

I uiiderstand.it was Mr. K. B. Talcott who questioned the correctness of the gate receipt figures. That's like him and his knowledge of the New York Club's business.

Mr. Spalding declares that Chicago is es­ sentially a National League city. You should have seen those West Side grounds last May, June and July. Then the humor of the de­ claration would come to you.

Could John Ward have meant Jeems, the great, when he said to A. G. Spalding: "When I was captain of the New York Club the reason I resigned was that a man who had little knowledge of the game was continually interfering with my rights."

A Chicago paper declares that Ryan wasn't sent one of the letters issued last week because be is on my black list. That isn't true. Kyau didn't get a letter because lie had openly de­ clared against the Players' League.

There's no danger of our lease in Cincin­ nati reverting to A. S. Stern, Esq. We value it too highly for that.

There is funny business going on at League headquarters over those young Cincinnati players, Clingman and Dolun. The meu were released before Oct. 15 by Secretary Sterne, after asking me, representing the purchasers, whether we wanted them any longer. The young players are being pinched by the National League, if at all.

F. II. BKUSELL.

THINK WELL OF IT.

Bay Cily Favors the Organization of a New Northwestern League.

BAY CITY, Midi., Dec. 16. Editor SPORT­ ING LIFE: The letterrecently published irf your paper suggesting the formation of a Northwestern League, to be composed of Michigan and Indiana clubs, lias created much comment in this city. Nearly every­ body seems to think it would lie a good thing to organize such a league, but at the same time they doubt if a strong club could be se­ cured on a salary limit of $*OU or $1000 a month, as your correspondent says can be done.

The failure of last year's International League has somewhat taken the vim out of the inerchants here and they do not propose to back another club unless its success can. be assured. However, if the salary list can be kept down and the proper men set to work at it, there is no doubt whatever but that a team can be made to pay in this city.

As your correspondent states Bay City as a ball town cannot be surpassed by any city in the country. The Saginaw-Bay City Club last year drew larger attendances at home tlian" any other club in the League, and if every city had supported their team as well, the International would have finished the season and made some money, too.

The press of the city is divided as to tho advisability of starting another club here. The Tribune, whicli is the leading paper, has taken considerable interest in the matter and has given it all the encouragement possible. It secured a number of opinions on the sub­ ject last week from representative men of the town, and with but one exception all favored the idea. The Pre'xis has also favorably com­ mented on trie scheme.

The Times, however, seems to think that a good club cannot be obtained on a low salary limit and declares the people have had enougii base ball to last for many years to come. Its opposition is probably due to the fact that th" otiier papers favor the movement more tluiii anything else, so its opinion is not authorita­ tive by any means.

If a club should be established here there is one thing that will have to be done, and that is to secure grounds on this side of the river. No club could be made to pay ex­ penses where the grounds are now, an 1 \t would be folly to attempt such a thing.

MAC.

SPORTING LIFE will be mailed post paid to any address in the United States and Canada one year for $4.(.W, six months for $2.25, three ruontlis for $1.25.

July 15. CYCLING. CliEVEliflJSlDS! - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1893/VOL_21_NO_16/SL... · A study in still life The fallen racer after he ... "Bicyclenmmhlp11

IVIay 15. BASE BALL. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1889/VOL_13_NO_06/SL... · IVIay 15. SPORTITSTG-o o BASE BALL. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION. ... toni'-bcw

BILLIARD TABLES. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1894/VOL_23_NO_02/SL... · 8 THE SPOETINQ LIFE. .April 7. BREAKERS AHEAD. The Rivalry of Local Table

ATHLETIC. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1890/VOL_16_NO_10/SL... · Athletic Union held a very long meeting ... tfft. 6in. Running hizh jump. ... of

General Sporting &oods? - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1890/VOL_14_NO_19/SL... · Chief Consul Bull has been dialing his expense ... (I,ii«c"inb'»

THE TURF. ' ATHLETIC. BILLIARDS. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1886/VOL_08_NO_03/SL... · THE TURF. ' »v ' • n «5" if on, ... Harry \VUkf»' average

THE SPORTING LIFE. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1891/VOL_18_NO_09/SL... · THE SPORTING LIFE PUBLISHING CO. POST OFriCK BOX, 948. 1FKANCI3 C. BICHTKIl,

THE SPORTING LIFE. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1888/VOL_10_NO_15/SL... · THE SPORTING LIFE. COPYRIGHT, 1888 ... From Cum mod.ire Gardner, of Qtv-Jac';!,

THE SPORTING LIFE. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1890/VOL_14_NO_14/SL...THE SPORTING LIFE. 1890, n TBC ... Avt-niu- Theatre, died FrHay afternoon at

ISTov. 16. THE SPORTING LIFE. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1887/VOL_10_NO_06/SL... · ISTov. 16. THE SPORTING LIFE. ... iil coutaioed sketches of all

MUSICAL^ DRAMATIC ATHLETIC. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1893/VOL_22_NO_06/SL...terviewer -those crashing chords with ... national everyone' cries out

KENNEL. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1888/VOL_10_NO_26/SL... · ton of a play just intended to illustrate Miss Jarbeau ... besides ita humor, ... country

BASF ALL. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1889/VOL_14_NO_06/SL...it different aspect Is given to tbe situation. ... market as an advertisement to keep

EICYCLE GOODS At lost Moderate Prices, - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1892/VOL_19... ·  · 2011-01-12The regular monthly business meeting of ... All

THE LIFE. THE SPORTING LIFE. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1886/VOL_07_NO_22/SL... · THE SPORTING LIFE is for Solely ... *Orady out for interfering

CYCLING. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1892/VOL_19_NO_16/SL... · CYCLING. BALTIMORE^ BITS. ... sion and smoker on the steamer Emma Giles. ... open-air

TOO MUCH DELAY. WESTERN AFFAIRS. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1890/VOL_16_NO_13/SL... · joking mood. WILMOT'S MOVE. ... handicap run took place at

BILLIARD TABLES. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1894/VOL_22_NO_26/SL... · cannot be forced to do the square thing." Corbett, accompanied by his mother,,

THE SPOUTING LIFE. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1892/VOL_18_NO_21/SL... · THE SPOUTING LIFE. PUIll.ISIIKI) ... Phil adelphia's Cycle Show is the representative

DITTON. RALEIGHS - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1893/VOL_21_NO_06/SL... · Ditton green, sacred to cricket on Saturdays and the Salvation Army ou Sundays,

Tram- He»Ty UNJUST CRITICISM. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1892/VOL_18_NO_14/SL... · UNJUST CRITICISM. A HEEDLESS FUSS IS IEI IORK ABOUT RICHARDSON

THE METROPOLIS. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1893/VOL_21_NO_08/SL... · THE METROPOLIS. THE BASE BALL ... sacriflco within In*- meaning of tho rules

THE STAGE. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1890/VOL_16_NO_09/SL... · THE STAGE. PIANO MUSIC. ... ' gan and piano of the period were pretty much Left

March 26. BASE BALL. BILLIARDS. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1892/VOL_18_NO_26/SL... · THE SPORTING March 26. BASE BALL. PACIFIC NORTHWEST. ALL OF

THE SPORTING LIFE - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1892/VOL_19_NO_09/SL... · THE SPORTING LIFE CYCLING DEPARTMENT. VOLUME 10. ... FROM CSICAGO TO NEW

Claflin's THE NEW ENGLAND. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1894/VOL_23...THE NEW ENGLAND. Games to be Played. tUrerhtll June 2 Pnwtucket lit Wgrcfcter

t. 2O. BASE BALL. TOoTiUCHJALl. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1890/VOL_15_NO_25/SL... · BASE BALL. TOoTiUCHJALl. ... either. I do not believe that

LIFE. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1883/VOL_01_NO_10/SL... · present»novel entertainment consisting of ... At one time her life was des ... hami

LIFE - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1890/VOL_15_NO_08/SL... · WlihrK-v will prolmbly resume third base, and lliitlelul. ... ING LIFE: One of the chief

FIGURES TALK. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1893/VOL_22_NO_01/SL... · That tiresome subject of which Cycle Show ... are puzzled what to do or which

BASEBALL. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1889/VOL_12_NO_18/SL... · BASEBALL. CIIADWICK'S CHAT. ... meacr.rfd until ihe he si day, antl in the interim

SPORTING LIFE Philadelphia, - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1883/VOL_01_NO_02/SL... · NVi'lU nn Ilir .jnilip'm Tin- roiili'M \vn.s nlml ... anil I'nnn

REACH'S OFFICUI, 1.1. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1887/VOL_08_NO_26/SL... · O'Rou'ke, one of NVw York's valuable players, ... Tlic La Cro-ye correspondent

Sept. 19 . BASE BALL. - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1888/VOL_11_NO_24/SL... · the life. sept. 19 . base ball. american association. ... b--pt. 21,

RDDDK60RL - LA84 Foundationlibrary.la84.org/SportsLibrary/SportingLife/1887/VOL_08_NO_22/SL... · h. j. woodford, owner of barnum, ... the libretto is excellent the music charming