Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-28
League Record.
Association Record.
BAsEBALLABL BLESSING.
Err rRstus Wfman Says Some Fine Things
About the National Game.

Erastus wfmun Says Some Fine Things
About the National Game.
Amid all the "worrit'' of business and
commercial interests Mr.. Erastus Wiman, of
New York, found time to talk exceedingly
interestingly on baseball matters last evening
at the Duquesne. There are few if any
gentlemen more genial and entertaining con-
versationalists than Mr.. Wiman, and he
simply becomes enthusiastic when talking
about baseball. He has had long and ac-
tive experience in that line of pleasure and
business; of course he does not believe in term
ing it business, but believes it to be one of the
greatest bles sings that is within the reach of
business men. Mr.. wiman, without doubt
said some OF the finest things possible last even
ing about the national game. During CONVEX
sation with the writer he said
''Now, in talking about baseball, let me ex-
plain matter to the public which concerns me
considerably. There have been reports in cir
culation to the effect that 1 was inclined to
back up the Ball Players Brotherhood in their
proposed fight with the National League. The
rumor definitely was that would find money
and help to organize another league or associa-
ton. Now, stories like these are wrong. When
the brotherhood was first formed there was
prospect of a conflict between it and the
League. was asked what would do for the
players, and 1 stated that could only allow
them the use of my grounds This would do
for anybody, because it is TO my benefit to have
people visit my grounds. But to offer to set up
a rival to the National League would be folly.
ADVICE TO THE PLAYERS.
81 cannot for amoment'believe that the play
ers win ever offer to do anything of the kind,
and what is more, they could not command the
capital to do so. They may have demands to
make, and these demands may be right or they
may be wrong. 1t is not within my province to
say; but 1 have license to say that it would be
foolish on the part of the players to force mat
tiers to open hostilities. The National League
is one of the best managed organizations in the
country. have an idea when business is man.
aged in right way. and when say that have
100 clerks in my employ, people will think L
ought to know something about business. Well
I emphatically maintain that the National
League is managed better than anything else
know of; indeed 1 argue that its management
is better than that of the United States Gov
eminent, and would rather trust the League
government than that of the United States
1t is the result of the good management of
such gentlemen as j. B. Day, A. @. Spalding
and W. A. Nimfck that the players are receiv-
ing such big salaries to-day. l think if this
fact were better understood by the players there
would not be so much grumbling and dissatis-
faction among them. Depend upon it that
what is beneficial for the directors and stock
holders of the club is beneficial to the players,
and vice versa.
POWERFUL FACT.
"The League management knows this, and
the history of the organization is one clear and
continuous proof of the fact The PLAYERS will
do well to continue to trust to the honesty and
sagacity of the League managers as much as
possible. If that management had been bad
and dishonest, most assuredly there would not
have been such big salaries as there are to-
day."
Mr.. Wiman continued: 81 would like to be
more closely interested IN baseball than what
I am, but cannot possibly find time to carry
out nv desires. OF course you know about nv
experience with the old Metropolitan Club.
have nothing to complain of on that score.
feel satisfied that the gospel of relaxation is
one of the finest gospels that can be preached
TO humanity and anything that will attract
and pleasurably divert the attention of man
who is weary and worn out by business is a
boon. A game of baseball will do this; the
points and general features are so beautiful
and simple that no mental exertion is needed
TO understand them. and we can become SO in
care and anxiety is forgotten. 1 am a very
busy man. I rise every morning at o'clock,
and as a rule / feel weary about in the after.
noon. Then it is that about an hour and fifty
minutes at a ball game comes to me as one of
the greatest blessings of my life. We should
all admire the game"