Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-08-03
THE NATIONAL GAME.

completed yesterday and the board of
directors of the Western association
meets shortly to approve of the change
As soon as these formalities are settled
Manager Lucas will take hold of the
Minneapolis nine, strengthen it consider,
ably and will probably elevate its stand
ing in the Western association race con-
siderably before this season closes and
then be IN shape to commence with even
chances for next years schedule.
Davenport has learned a good many
things through its brief base ball exper-
fence this season, and especially within
the past few days, when it has been pass
Ing through one of the most critical
stages that base ball club usually en-
counters. 1t has learned the foolishness
OF idolizing players no matter how skilled
their playing. 1t has learned that the
iron clad agreements between manage
meht and players are none too severe
must necessarily be as strict as they are
to protect the associations in their deal.
Ings with their men Davenport has
learned that the recognition of brilliant
playing should not extend further than
that which the amphitheatre furnishes IN
the way of applause. The presentation
| OF gold watches, hats and other emhlems
OF merit and appreciation is u mistake.
Davenport has INDUCED lavishly in these
practices and those players who have
been the most favored have, the irst time
opportunity offered demonstrated not
only their lngratilude but their lack of
principle. There was great sensation
IN Davenport last night when it was
learned that two of the home teams most
admired and best treated players had
proved themselves unworthy. The DEM
oerat Gdzstte of this morning thus de
scrl6es the state of fairs.
There never was such excitement
among lovers Of base bail IN this civ a,
there Was last evening, when it became
known that McCabe and Crossley had
signed with the Milwaukee club. ana
Williams with a club In the Ohio state
league The news fled like wild FIRE and
there we're only expressions of the greats
est Indignation that greeted il. Thai these
players have acted most trcacherouSIy Is
pam McCabe and Crossley hai prom
iNea Manager Lucas they would remain
with t. 4 club if 1t went into the Western
ASSOCIATION. fbey were sorry to see The
interstate league 90 to pieces; and when
II looked doubtful whether Lucas could
make deal with Manager Gooding. they
were, through Manager Lucas. offered
positions in the Milwaukee team shauId
Davenport have to disband. When
Manager Lucas WAS in Minneapolis he
teles raphed both of the PLAYERS not to
sign with any club. They with
held all answers to dispatches
from Milwaukee and when the
deal was made they decided to remain
with Davenport. Night before last
Crossley and McCabe each called upon
Manager Lucas and stated to him that
they wanted their salaries Increased
Manager Lucas replied that he could not.
himself, do anything for them in that re-
gard further than to place the matter be-
tore the board of directors This he
would do. When the directors met yes.
terdsy afternoon Manager Lucas brought
the subject before them They were not
opposed to paying McCabe and Crossley
more. but expressed themselves as per
iectly willing to give them more than
they had been receiving. The directors
knew that Crossleg and McCabe had done
good work for the team and were deserv-
ing OF higher wages in the Western aSsO
citation. The board concluded to pay
McCAhe and Crossley each $500 month
hereafter. This sum was $50 more than
they had been receiving Manager Luz |
cas-, upon his return from the meeting.
met Crossley and McCabe and they stated
to him they had signed with Milwaukee
THIS was astounding news to Manager
Lucas and he justly uphraided Crossley
Tor his action. CrOssley admitted he
had done wrong and the only excuse he
could offer Tor his action was that he was
sick of the town" 1t is now evident
that the town is sick" of Crnssley The
citizens of this city showed their appre-
citation of Crossiey by presenting him a
gold watch and chain. The board of
directors did the same thing Yesterday to
both the players by increasing their sals
aries to $500 per month But they were
treated too well. Manager Lucas and the
association admired Crossiey and McCabe
AS ball players and the pIsss Of this CITY
dld more to make their regulations than
the Milwaukee papers will ever add to
them. Nearly every paper in the base
ball cities of the state as well rs those in
some of the Western association and the
Interstate league, have contained clip
pings from this paper that referred to
McCabe and Crossley These players
have acted most shamefully Yesterday
they went to Moline in order to send dis
patches 10 Milwaukee Didn't want the
people here to mistTust them McCahe,
CrosSleY and Williams are three names
that might have continued TO grow
brighter in the Western association: but
their lustre is now gone.
There were MANY in Rock Island who
doubted the policy Of Davenports royal
treatment of some of its players at the
time. In the future there will be no
partlality shown and players will be
dealt with according to strictly BUSH
ness principles. 1t is quite likely, too,
| that the club to which these players are
going will be on their guard when they
learn of their unmsnly conduct in this
transaction.
The Chicago Maroons and Des MONIES
clubs will play a championship game at
Davenport Sunday afternoon, the ar
rangements for this match having been
| completed before it was settled that Dav-
export was to enter the Western associa>
| ton.
Manager Lucas, of the Davenports,
will probably retain Catcher Harrington
for the present, and also sign Reeves, the
Peoria catcher. both of whom are as good