Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-23

Addison's Cato to the effect that honor is some
thing of an empty thing, and is good enough to
catch the youth; and 1t seems to me that TINS IS
the kind of honor that has unfortunately crept
into baseball affairs recently. Time and time
again we have been told that backllsted play
ers would never be taken back by the Brother
a blacklist at all would indicate that deserters
were done for. But subsequent events
proved that this blacklist was one
of the most ver.table friends that
has ever been foisted upon the baseball public.
1t has proven beyond a doubt that those who
conceived and issued it to the world have an
idea that the patrons of the national game are
nothing more OF less than children who can be
hoodwinked at any stage of the proceedings.
Why, 1t is now plain to every one of us that the
boast of honor in the shape of the blacklist was
an imposition of the rankest kind. firmly be-
lieve that not player whose name was on that
list would be refused readmission to the
brotherhood ranks we're he to definitely apply.
Mark, am not at this juncture arguing as to
the right or wrong Of readmitting deserters. 1
am pointing out the most questionable, /
might say degrading, inconsistency of issuing
blacklist one day and welcoming all the ''nlack
sheep" back to the fold on the next day. There
is some satisfaction to know that in some re-
spects the Pittsburg authorities have been
steadily opposed to this plan of readmission.
out, as have been informed were overruled at
the Cleveland meeting. i am not saying that
the National League is not tainted with the
same questionable conduct, not directly of a
similar kind. But there have been instances
where the old Leagues alleged honorable deal
ing was just as questionable as that of the new
League, except, of course in the case of that
wonderful blacklist"
BeckIey's Case.
There has been considerable said regarding
the action of Beekley in deserting the League
to re-enter the ranks of the Brotherhood, and,
by the way Beckley, was one of the "black-
listed" Beckley is undoubtedly good player
and either party has an extreme desire for his
services, SO much so that all along have been
of opinion that either party. blacklist or no
blacklist, would jump at the opportunity to Sc
cure him. So much for the high standard of
honor that is being preached to US by the
various and rival magnates. 1t is needless for
me to recall what said about double contract
men at the time of Beckley's first desertion,
but 1t may not be out of place for me to say
that he has increased his original wrong. Now,
l am free to admit that there are ex-
tenuating features in the worst cases
of these contract jumpers. Two
causes have been operating strongly
in causing the minds of these unstable persons
to fiuctuate. One Is money, and that article
has powerful influence The other Is social
ostracism or intimidation. To some people the
latter is even more powerful than the former,
and it seems to have been so with Beckley. The
latter, no doubt, was prompted by money in
ducements to sign with the old League, and
when he mingled with players of the new
League his existence seemed to be treated
with contempt This treatment which GER
tainly is unmanly, evidently was too much for
Beckley, and he Joined the forces OF those who |
had been pointing the finger of scorn at him
and revlllng him in very strong terms Now,
were this all one could not very well find
much fault with Beckley, but during his win
ter holidays he lived on-at least. spent-the |
money advanced him by the old League, The |
of1cIals OF the local League club reposed faith
enough in Beckley to advance him $3.50 and he |
had the use of it. Now. what l contend is |
that Beckleys violation of this confidence and |
most ungrateful acknowledgment of the old |
clubs trust was of the most Questionable kind. |
Further, contend that those who in any shape |
or form encouraged him to act as he has done |
are just as deep in the mud as Beckley is in |
the mfre; at any rate they need not Calk abouG |
honor IN their cause. 1t is unnecessary to go |
further into details. There are many whose |
cases are much worse than Beckley's but all |
OF them combined have done much to bring |
the national game into disrepute. The public |
mas duty to perform if it wants the national |
game 10 retain its purity and dignity; that duty |
is to mark we'll all those whose direct inten- /
tons have been to play fast and loose with /
everybody connected with the game-from the |
public who patronize it down to the merest
meDial in the employ of the club directors. |
Matters have, however, become so well evened
up between the two parties that all those
threats that have been made regarding hoot1ng
and kissing old League players who may play
with the old League this year will apply to both
parties. Those threatening Brotherhood parti-
sans cannot well encourage hostile demonstra-
uons against old League players when their
own ranks are SO full of Jumpers" 1t is up-
1t will, fear, require long time to replace
the glorious game on the exciting, pleasant |
and harmonious footing that it has been on for
SO many years.