Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-14

nonsense to talk of running away from the
fight" because he transferred dates. Mr..
O'Neil, like any other wise general, was
compelled to fight in accordance with the
material at command. His forces were so
much weaker than those of the enemy that
he would have been foolish to force the
fighting. He had legitimate opportunity to
turn round and in sense regain wind.
This was the only plan by which
he could remain in the contest, and
ing so he did exactly what common
sense would prompt any of us to do if we
had the moral courage to do it. Why, the
very fact that Mr.. O'Neil and his team are
still in the ring shows that he has played his
part we'll. He can now talk about his
chances for next year with as much force
and freedom as the enemy. certainly do
think that Mr.. O'Neil has played very
plucky part, to say the least of it. But
there is another consideration. Ii, as we
have been told, Mr.. O'Neil ran away from
the fight by transferring dates, the enemy
ought certainly to have been benefited
thereby considerably. 1 have yet to learn
that the enemy reaped any great financial
success out of this running away business
We may again be told that the
running away" showed that the club wasn't
wanted here. 1 argue that the attendance
at the games show that neither club is
wanted here, and if two clubs are continued
in this city my sincerest wishes that not
paying spectator will witness game. At
any rate am convinced that with a reason
able supply OF cash Mr.. O'Neil will always
be dangerous opponent. He hasn't had
that supply this season, and If he gets it for
next season he will be valuable manager.
Certainly he may have his shortcomings
like all of u.s. but he has established the
fact that he has nerve and business facul-
ties.
Claims of the Local Clubs.
Unfortunately there is still very large
amount of party feeling on this wearisome
question of baseball. notice with regret
that some people persist in shutting their
eyes to any good point in favor of the Ma
tional League, and accepting everything as
frst-class that pertains to the Players
League. In figuring on next years pros
poets there are many curious claims and
statements, and these vary in accordance
with the predictions and prejudices of the
writer's. One party emphaticallY claims
that they are in the field to stay, and with
equal emphasis the other party
declares they won't retire. Certainly there
is a hope among the Players League par
tisans that the local National League club
will vanish from Pittsburg; indeed, a P. L.
friend of mine said to me the other day that
it ought to CO. Now this is just the ques-
tion 1 want to discuss. I have looked the
matter over from every standpoint know
of, and for the life of me can find no
more reason for ousting the National
League from this city than for dispensing
with the P. L. club. At first sight this
may surprise some Of my read
ers, considering the miserable show that
the local N. L. club has made. However, I
ask the plain question, Whatright has the
P. L. club to remain here in preference to
the N. L. club? / don't know of solid
answer. The right of priority rests with the
n. L. club. But some P. L. supporters may
answer: Because it is better team. A
thoughtful person wouldn't give an answer
like that, because if the P. L. clubs claim
to remain here is based on its work of the ex-
the n. L. club, it has been wretched
failure, and the Two clubs at pres
ent behind it in the P. L. race
are probably the worst aggregation
that have been in the city. I boldly make
the assertion that no club whose perform
ance is no better than that of the P. L. or
N. L. clubs of this city is worthy ofremain-
ing here The motley crowds that have re-
Gently watched the game here show that
public opinion is in this direction. 1t
comes down to this, then: that as far as
playing and disappointment are concerned
both clubs are about on level; indeed. even
when the P. L. club has had the field to
itself here only about 800 peo-
pie have turned out to see it. But
only wait until next season is the
current cry. And here again the p. L. club
is not one whit better than the n. L. club.
Manager Hanlon may say: We will have a
pennant winner next year, but Director
O'Neil can say the same thing and Just be
as earnest in his statement. This wait-until-
nextyear claptrap has lost its force by repe-
tition; and I have precious little faith in
the cry now, having so often been deceived
by it. Well, then, 1 repeat that I fail to
see in any shape or form any reason why
the P. L. club should remain in Pittsburg
in preference to the N. L. club, as far as
matter of moral or business right is con.
cerned. What say about this city equally
applies to Cleveland, and if there are any
reasons showing that am in error in the
matter trust they will be advanced, so
that we may fairly get to true conclusion.
Abour Compromise Noiions.
The chief object of the above paragraph
is to show that whatever deal may take
place in the baseball world, the rights of
the Pittsburg n. L. have as much claim on
protection as those of the local P. L. club.
OF course if by a mutual agreement one OF
the clubs leaves the city, or even if one of
the clubs leaves us without any agreement
at all, is quite another matter, and does not
in any way affect my argument. There may
aud there may not be compromise. When
in this city Secretary Brunell said that his
side would be quite willing to meet the N.
L. and have a mutual agreement made, but |
1 am afraid that were such meeting to be |
arranged the P. L. officials would by their |
wild partisans be goaded on to make ridic- |
room for compromise, and feel confident !
that one could be made which would be |
beneficial to all parties concerned. Before |
any arrangement can be made, however,
each party must enter into the affair pre- |
pared to exercise a give-and-take spirit. |
Doubtless, there is deal of humbug among |
baseball magnates. Some of them strut |
around like turkey gobbler, and have
such inflated notions of their importance |
that it is difficult to do any business with |
them. But the season just ended has, be- |
yond a doubt, shown that baseball |
players and baseball magnates have made |
fools of themselves. Whatever compromise |
may be made the players will not be as |
well off as they have been in the past. |
They have certainly blighted their pros
poets for long time to come. The P. L. |
will not keep inferior players on its pay |
roll next year and expect to see that |