Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
A REVIEW OF SPORTS.
Brotherhood and New League
Distinctions.
SOME INCONSISTENCIES.
Prospects of the National Game for
the Season.
SOME INCONSISTENCIES.
ABOUT SULLIVAN AND JACKSON


found a very interesting interview with
Manager Hanlon regarding the connection
or affinity between the Brotherhood and the
Players League. The opinions or explana-
tions of Manager Hanlon were prompted by
what 1 wrote last week concerning the
Brotherhood blacklist. The genial manager
yesterday told me that 1 conveyed wrong
idea by what / wrote on the matter inasmuch
as the Brotherhood was one thing and the
Players League was another. He then
proceeded to point out the distinctions, as
given in another place of the paper. 1t is
always interesting to have chat with Mr..
Hanlon. even though one does not agree with
him in his conclusions. He is one
of the few who are not vindictively
partisan, and he always talks with good
common sense. What he says of the Broth er-
hood and Players League is doubtless all true,
but think that it is very unfortunate for the
Brotherhood that 1t is true. In my way of
thinking the statement of Mr.. Hanlon is one of
the most important that has been publicly
made since the baseball conflict commenced,
because prosecuted to its logical issue it means
that at least one of the most absurd inconsist-
encles exist at the very root of the new organi-
zatlon, and the sooner there is a remedy the
better it will be-
some Unsafe Principles.
When dealt with the blacklist last week I
was quite aware of the fact that the Brother
hood was distinct from the Players League.
This distinction was demonstrated at the first
meeting held to organize the new league, but
certainly never held the notion that those
whom the Brotherhood blacklsted could, de-
spite that fact, be engaged by the new league
apd md with rha
people who deem them dishonorable enough to
expel them from a society. L admit that
on this point / have been in error
The condition is so strange, SO inconsistent
and so illogical that l never for moment
dreamt of it. Let us examine it and see where
it will lead us to. Primarily it shows that, al
though the Brotherhood originated the Players
League, it has nothing whatever to do with
that League. Blacklisted players such as Beck
ley and Delehanty can be employed by the
Players League whether the Brotherhood likes
It or not. Mr. Hanlon tells us that these black
listed players won't be readmitted to the
brotherhood. and that proves the present point.
1t is, therefore. easy to see that players whom
the Brotherhood labels "dishonorable" will be
employed by the new League. This is conclu-
sive. This being so. what is there 10 prevent
the Players League from being composed al
most entirely Of players who have nothing
whatever TO do with the Brotherhood? Nothing
at all. II the Players League won't recognize
the blacklist of the Brotherhood
don't know what it will recognize. But
we all along have been led to understand
that the new venture: that is. the new League |
was almost entirely in the interest of the
Brotherhood of Ball Players 1t is nothing of |
the kind, because one of the most important |
resolves that they could make is peremptorily |
ignored by The Players League. We are thus |
led TO further conclusion, viz: that it is no |
Players League at ALL but an organization of
persons, who have shown that they do act con-
tr2ry to the desir S and wishes of the PLAYERS
In short are given plainly to understand
that the Brotherhood of Ball Players is sub
servient 10 the new League and that the capt. |
talists who '-rm the latter have power to ig- |
more the Brotherhood entirely. All this, l hope |
fair arguing of the case, and, I think, line |
of reasoning that we cannot avoid if we once |
look into the matter. What now say is said |
in the best OF spirit and if the conclusions ar
rive at are correct change ought to |
be made. / firmly believe that those who |
compose the Players League have done |
wrong in overriding the wishes of the |
brotherhood. 1t is bad policy and there ought |
to be a rule to stopit. or course / mean in the |
way of employing players whom the Brother |
hood has dubbed ''renegades," 'men of putrid
hearts and "dishonorable intentions" If |
such policy is persevered in fear that one of
these DAYS the public will be thinking that the
term Players League" is sham, at least that
1t is misleading.
The General Situation.
During the week the Brotherhood has scored
another victory in the courts and it is to be
hoped that we have heard and seen the last of
these law suits. Imeau the law suits aiming at
the enjoining of players. 1t is safe to say that
the law has been fully tested on the reserve
rule of baseball and it has been Just as fully
proven that the reserve rule' is useless. I
have idea that there must always be
a. reserve rule of some kind, and it is
now for the magnates to get to work and FORM
ul2te contract that will hold water There
are threats OF more law suits but their object
is to sue for damages, That is an entirely diff
ferent matter from trying to enjoin player
What mean is. it's one thing to sue a PLAYER
whom it is claimed has received money ty
making false promises and another to try and
prevent player from playing where lie chooses
! don't want to meddle in a matter where one
party claims TO have been robbed by another.
That is a personal matter. However I contend
that there is a general principle at stake in the
case of those gentlemen who have invested in
the Players League. Theirs, on the face of
IT, is NOT a case of MISREPRESENTATION but a
legitimate venture in legitimate business |
How these gentlemen can be sued fail 70 see |
and it will be very foolish of the National
League TO take them to court. The law already
has told us that the players can play wherever
they choose this year, providing, of course
their services are wanted. This legal fact ourht
TO settle all talk about suing stockholders for
damages.
Both Getting Stronger.
Both the Leagues are getting stronger as the
opening dates approach. OF course the officials
Of every club tell us how strong their respectiye
clubs are, but after making liberal discount ]
think the clubs, generally speaking are in good
condition. The Cleveland Players team has
-.1n-. /
Chicago. OF course don't think that when the
two clubs get down to their best form the
Clevelands will be better than the Chicagns
but am inclined to think that the Cleveland
team will be much better than many people |
expect. There will be good Players club in
l.. if all goes well; but don't let
rs be surprised If the Clevelands are our 10 |
lahs. We hear little very little from Buffalo |
Mysterious Buffalo, The other Players teams
ire going along all right. The National League
,eams are also getting well into line. While I |
I'm disposed to think Prtsburg will have a
rood and attractive aggregation, l claim that |
We might have been allowed something from |
The Eastern clubs will be strong |
Ind so will Chicago and Cincinnati. But Man.
Iger Hecker may develop lew stars out of
lis youthful band, for they are promising
'oung fellows One thing seems to me sure,
md that is, some of the old League clubs will
'e very attractive.
AbOut the Deserters.
During the week there has been much talk
bout the deserters The talk has chiefly !
minated from the leaders OF the Brotherhood
nd but for one thing it would not be worth !
nore than ordinary attention. That one thing
) the fact that time and time again declara- :
ions have been made to the effect that not a !
eserter would be taken back by the Brother /
ood. Almost every person any way prom
nently connected with the Brotherhood made !
declarations |
esertlon TOOK place. Now, what makes the | /
ntire hnslness SO emntY and ahsnrd lnnl-irarr Is