Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-06
A REVIEW OF SPORTS.
Opinions About the Result Of
the Pennant Race.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
An Important Cause for Them Pointed
Out by Fred Dunlap
THE LEAGUES ALLEGED RIVAL.
Reasons Why the Players Should Remain
Where They Are.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
THE LEAGUES ALLEGED RIVAL.
SOME GOSSIP ABOUT TIE PUGILISTS

SOME GOSSIP ABOUT TIE PUGIIISTS
The baseball championship season Of
1889 is over, and New York has won one of
the most remarkable and exciting contests
there has ever been for the National League
pennant 1t may be years before such an
other finish is seen, and, doubtless, that just
concluded will be remembered by all base
ball historians. The New Yorks have won
a noble victory, and won it on its merits
They deserve all credit In this connection
1 may be permitted to modestly remind
readers of The DISPATCH that 1 have
steadfastly pumped for the New Yorks
since the season opened. Even when they
were away down the list, and when it
needed nerve to predict the Giants final
success, L stood them to win. There are
qualities about second-time pennant win
ners that make them extremely formidable.
Boston at one time had long
lead, but that vim and accomplished
work which have characterized the Giants soon
told its tale. Steadily but surely they forged
ahead, and have won what is theirs by merit.
True, Boston has given them very hot argu-
ment, indeed, and for this Clarkson is almost
entirely responsible. He has proven himself
to be a wonderful pitcher and 1t is thousand
pities, as far as he is concerned, that he is not
on the winning side. 1t may be argued that
the lack Of pitchers was factor In the defeat
of Boston. All that 1 have to say in reply to
this is: Could the Bostons have secured a
Clarkson ever since he commenced to pitch al
most daily? Until this is answered Affirmative
ly the excuse in question is worthless. don't
think that anybody will for a moment attempt
to try to prove that better work than
Clarkson's could have been done. On
an average Clarkson has done stead
ier work lately than either Keefe
or Welch. However, l have always maintained
during the last two seasons that the New
Yorks, as a team, is the best team in the coun-
try. Once more they have demonstrated that
fact Another remarkable feature in the race
is the close finish between the Clevelands and
Pittsburgs The former have finally been COM
PEELED to play second fiddle to the Pittsburg
delegation, and they have gone down in a very
desperate struggle, indeed. don't think there
is team in the League deserving of more
credit than the Clevelands. From first to last
their work has been remarkable. considering
that this is their first season in the League
Lately when all clubs have been at their best
the Clevelands have kept us all guessing and
the games they have lost by one run tells how
herocally they have fought. The lead of
Pittsburg over Cleveland at the finish is really
so small that one can hardly muster nerve
enough to blow about it,
The Local Tenn.
Now that the championship season is over it
may not be out of place to say few words
about the local team. Probably there is not
team in the country that has been more disap-
pointing than have the players of the Pittsburg
aggregation. As has been stated time and
time again, they started the season amid the
applause and admiration of almost all the base
ball world. According to all authorities their
prospects were as bright as a summers sun.
However, before they had fairly gotten Started
they collapsed, and they have remained SO until
now. There must be a cause for this or else
there is no truth whatever in the old argument
OF cause and effect There is cause, and am
inclined to think that Messrs Rowe and Dun
lap stated that cause very Gorcibly to me some
time ago. Dunlap, during a conversation,
frankly stated that not a man in the
team was in condition to start the sea-
son. 1t was weeks before any of the players
got into anything like reasonable shape to play
and some have never been in tit condition dur
ing the season. Now, If anybody should know
about matters of this kind that person is Fred
Dunlap, because he was captain when the sea-
son opened and remained so for a long time.
Well now, if this is or has been the cause of so
much disaster aud disappointment why can't it
he remedied? There may, of course. have been
other causes but l am firmly convinced tnat
the one in question has been the primary one.
1t is not impossible to remove it before another
championship struggle commences. If ever
Pittsburg is TO have the League pennant
money must be spent in no nggardly way. No
man IS prepared in hrSt-claSs style to win some
big event without extra expense and the same
rule applies to a baseball team. l look upon
money spent on training players as an invest
ment rather than an item of expense. The les
sons of this season may teach some important
truths.
The Leagues Rival.
Nothing more definite has been said about
the alleged Brotherhood scheme during the
week, although there has been considerable
talk about the question. As far as any tan
gible evidence OF any serious intention on the
part Of the League is concerned we are Just
where we were at the beginning President ].
NJ. Ward, of the Brotherhood. has been in the
city during the week, and he maintained a
notable silence on the subject. Several of the
business men whose names have been con-
nected with the alleged gigantic scheme have
denied all connection with it, and so the matter
stands. However, Mr.. Ward, while here made
one very important statement, and that was to
the effect that if the grievances of which the
players complain are remedied there will be no
attempt on the part of the players to wreck the
League. This really ought TO be consollng to
those magnates who have SO many thousands
invested in the business. If they will only
travel in righteous path their salvation is at
hand. What more cheering assurance could
they require than that of Johnny Ward?
Surely the magnates ought to be thankful
However, it seems as if a very i'm
of. The ruination of the League means ruin
alton for the players. / am aware that some
people will not indorse this opinion, but it is as
true as the fact that we live. If the players
wreck the League. they'll kill the goose that
lays the golden eggs and, indeed, it is supply
ing golden eggs without stint to the very
players who are kicking most. The National
League as we know it to-day is the resuit of
enormous cost and labor and remarkable busi-
ness ingenuity. 1t has not sprung up in a night
like Jonah's gourd. but it has taken years to
buIla and establish It. 1t is now powerful and
influential organization, and, generally speak,
ing, managed by some of the best business
men in America. Will anybody, then,
tell me that the PLAYERS or
anybody else can replace it with ANYTHING that
will BE of greater service to the players? Will
all of these wealthy people who are CRYING
aloud about the slavery of baseball PLAYERS give
the use of their capital for nothing OF next TO
nothing? To hear the various rumors one would
almost imagine that dozens of millonaires were
prepared TO donate millions OF dollars for the
special benefit of the poor baseball PLAYERS who
receive no more than 500 or $500 per week If
these business men have the betterment of
workers for wages or salaries at heart ven
ture to say that they'll find plenty to keep them
busy If they look at home. In this instance the
old proverb, Charity begins at home" is very
appropriate.
There Are Grievances.
However there are grievances under which
fhe Dlayers labor and which i think will he
remedied. The loudest complaints seem to be |