Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-30
FROM THE BABIES.
They Are Ready for the Fray-The Broth
erhood Cranks-

ef0OO0
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DIsPAToH.l
CLEVELAND, O.. September &-While the
New Yorks and Bostons are having nip-and
tuck race for first place there is a pretty fight
| on. between Cleveland and Pirtsburg for fifth
position which attracts about as much atten
! ton in this locality as the main scrimmage be-
tween the leaders. The way it looks now
| Cleveland and Pittsburg are virtually to settle
| the chances for the pennant. Who would have
thought at the commencement of the season
that the championship was to be thus decided,
or that the squirt on the homeward stretch
would De a race with double Specification. for
first place and for fifth. The home team is in
excellent trim and ought to play as strong or
stronger game at the windup than at the COM
mencement. None of the pitchers are COM
planning, and the cranks are anticipating a
great week of sport with Boston and new
York.
OF course the alleged Brotherhood deal is
attracting much attention here as in all other
League cities, perhaps more because Mr. John-
son resides here; and by the way, unwittingly
did Mr.. johnson an lnJustice IN my last Ietter
to THE DISPATCH by neglecting to insert a
sheet of my correspondence in my hurry 10
catch the mail. The sheet in question was the
explanation of scheme reported TO me IN
which Mr.. johnson and the Cleveland players
were alleged to be in a speculation to sell their
releases back to League clubs after signing
with him. 1t was this plan to which mad
leve the Cleveland players foolish enough TO
trust themselves to concern managed py AL
johnson, since it would not only imperil their
prospects but be a lasting disgrace to the game
and stigma upon their regulations personally.
The scheme thus outlined was told me by
bosom friend of one of the Cleveland players
who l know positively has been foremost IN
prumulgating Brotherhood doctrine, and VINO
is one of those individuals, unfortunately who
does not know when he is well off.
There is more in the scheme of the Brother
hood itself than is generally given credit for.
There is no doubt in my mind that the scheme
has been thoroughly discussed and planned.
am not so sure that it will go into effect. Moth
ing would please me more than to see 1t tired,
for think about 130 men would get lesson
that would last them their lifetimes at least
1t is not among the improbabilities that the
concessions demanded will be granted the play
ers, and what good will it do them? If they
would take the pains to argue on both sides of
the matter they would not be long In finding
out.
The Cleveland players don't seem to be in all
the secrets Of the concern. That is, all OF them
do not seem to be. There are two or three,
possibly, who are in it up to their ears, and of
all men in the team they have the least cause
to take such steps. One has been next TO moth
ing but a wooden player all the season, has
brought the club into considerable dis
repute. and has been better treated
in Cleveland than any place he ever played
ball in his life. The other has had SO much
Brotherhood on the brain that he has fallen off
in his playing. and is such an ardent admirer of
all the stars of the profession that it wouldn't
take great deal for him to kneel down and
worship them.
With the exception of one man, the Cleve-
land club will be reserved entire for 1880. Lof-
tus Will manage the team without any doubt,
think, and it will be his ambition to climb still
higher. He would much prefer to do it with a
team of youngsters if he can find the men to
his liking.
Messrs Howe and Hawley, who are really
the managing directors of the team, say there
will be League club in Cleveland next year
no matter what turns up, and as know them
both to be 'istayers," think there will be.
JOHN B. FOSTER.