The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-22
THE WEST BEATS THE EAST
Comparison of the Records of the Clubs
in the Playing of Last Season.
Kansas City's Admission to the Association
Likely to Cause Trouble-An Interesting
Interview with Fred Pfeffer-Notes.

Henry Chadwick one OF the Oldest and best
known baseball writer's in the country has
been figuring on last seasons playing by the
League aud Association clubs of the East and
West and his comparisons show that the West
ern clubs won a majority Of the games played.
The record shows that the contest was close be-
tween Detroit and Chicago on the one hand, and
Philadelphia and New York on the other. the
two former leading by a combined total OF ~
victories to but 81 by the two latter. But St.
Louis aud Cincinnati top the League leaders by
I54 victories to Detroit and Chicagos
81. The two tail-enders of the League
beat the two last clubs of the American
Association only by 40 victories 70 49, The
eight Western teams of the two organizations
scored 3I4 victories to 275 victories by the eight
Eastern teams. OF the former number of vic
tories, however the four American Western
teams scored 178 Victories to 128 by the four
League Western teams, whereas the four East
ern League teams scored 147 victories to 12S by
the four American teams. Had the champion
ship of the United States for 1887 lain between
the eight combined Western teams and the eight
combined Eastern teams. the record would have
given the West the championship easily. AS it
was, the fight for the worlds championship was
between the two leading Western teams.
The principal event of the last week in the
base ball world was the admission Of Kansas
club although the Metropolitan franchise is still
retained by the Association. There is already
considerable discussion in baseball circles on
the question of whether or not the action will
stand. The prevailing opinion is that it will
not. It is questionable. too, If Kansas City
can be admitted to membership in the
citation club there already, under the
protection OF the national agreement
The American Association plan ito retain the
Office in New York city. "The League might
well try to gsivanize the St Louis Maroon fran
chise into life again." said John l. Rogers. chair
man of the arbitration committee. to a CORE
spondent of New York paper 1.-The American
Association cannot retain its franchise IN New
York city unless It maintains a club there. The
League will never consent to It, and 1t certainly
is against the spirit and the letter OF the law of
the national agreement With respect to the
right of the American Association to locate a
club in Kansas City. Chairman Rogers refused
to venture an opinion. as that question will be
brought before the arbitration committee for de-
cision. Kansas City is unquestlonably good
the distance that it will be necessary for clubs
TO travel to reach the place. The club is backed
by between forty and fifty of the wealthiest and
most prominent citizens of the city
Fred Pfeffer, who is just object of
much interest to Indianapolis baseball
thusiasts, in view of the hope that he may be
secured as a member of the local League team
has just returned from California, and has been
interviewed at length by a reporter of the
Louisville Times, to whom he said: II went
out with the Chicago CLUB. and together with
the St. Louis and Philadelphias, we were under
Jim Harris management. The only other club
which went there was the New York nine,
which under the management OF Walter
Appleby. We did not play with the local mines
Mt ALL but had exhibition games among our
selves. In spite of all that has been said to the
contrary, we made money. The very first game
- Il q ~ owrd hos
expenses. The New York nine played with the
local clubs and did not do we'll. since the peo-
pie seemed to want to see the other clubs play"
''Idave you signed with the Chicago club for
this season2" asked the reporter.
mot yet and don't know whether will or
not ! could better myself very much If l could
only obtain my release. and do not want to
play there. would sooner come here than any
place in the country. I received several letters
from Mr.. Spaldiug while was in San Francis
co. He stated that under no circumstances
would he release me, and that he not only
wanted me this season. but for ten years more
ut least. 1 accordingly sent him my terms,
which were pretty steep, can tell you, and told
him would sign if he would acceds to them. /
have received no answer from him as yet. and
will GO TO Chicago in a day or two to ascertain
what he intends to do. 1 will then return to
this city and probably remain here the rest of
what do you think of the prospects for this
seasonP'
Things look brighter than ever before in
both the League and Association. 1 think the
interest will be greater than at any. previous
time, and that more money Will be made.
Another beneficial result will be. think, that
the race for the pennant will be closer In both
the Association and League than last season.
think the Association did wise thing in taking
in Kansas City. 1t Is a good place for baseball.
and while under the agreement the club there
will be under tremendous expense, and can
not make much money, the visiting teams Will
find it profitable"
.sWhat club will win the pennant in the
leaguel"
~ II g. al he rvst1 ha -
tier one than last year, but the Detrolts ought
to have the best OF it. You can Keep your eye
on the Chicagos, however. and find they will
land close to the top"
No contracts with indianapolis players have
been secured during the last week. Other
League clubs are also rather slow, with the ex-
ception Of Chicago. in agreeing upon terms with
their players The following is the official list
of players who have signed contracts up to
date:
Boston-wm. sowders, ]. Hornung, N. J. Madden.
Chicago-Hugh Duffy Q. D. Hoover G. Z. Brynan
Gustavs II. Krock. VIM; A. Clark Chas. w: sprsgus
Baldwin, NJ. g. Sullivan, Dell Darling, Geo Z. Van
Haltren, Jas, Ryan. Frank s. Flint, < n williamson
Detrot-Henry Gruber, E. E. Sutclife, Ed Beatin
+. Scheibeck o. Broughton.
Shreve, p. A. Hines, Henry j. Boyle VIM. Bogert
Thomas Esterbrook.
ter f. F. Cleveland, Gilbert Hatfield.
Philadelphia-W j. Hoover, VIM. Mailman,
Childs A. B. sanders, J. T. Clements
Pttsburg-W. j. kuehne, Wm Farmer. j. II. Cole
man. Ed. Morris, H Henderson, L. Funlap. w. Sun
Wa.hinston-w E. Hoy, W. wilmOt, NJ. ]. Muir
ray. II. Wright. John Irwin, Thomas Deasley, f.
Gardner, +. t. Gilmore.
Baseball Notes.
The St Paul News asserts that Billy Sowders