Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-24


on the alleged offer of Sl,OOO,OO0 for the
National League clubs He is ready to
take the cash. Manager Hanlon talks
about the matter. Catcher Farrell is ex.
pected to sign with the Cleveland Brother
hood club. President Young gives list oi
all players signed with the National League
clubs.
The announcement published in THE
DISPATCH yesterday to the effect that a
syndicate had offered 100000 for the
franchises of all the National League clubs
caused quite q stir among local baseball
people. Opinions as to the genuineness ot
the offer were exceedingly conflicting, and
the majority of the baseball patrons who
talked about the matter were to the effect
that the offer was more Of "bluff" than
anything else.
President Nimick talked quite interest
ingly about the matter last evening to a
representative of this paper. He said:
"The offer is indeed, surprise to me. 1
never heard word about it until learned of
it in uo-day's DISPATCH.
PITTsBURG is WILLING.
swell, now don't know what to say about it;
thar is speaking generally, but if there is any
syndicate who will give US 100000 for our club
that syndicate can have it. L always say that if
$4,000 have been offered for all the ten clubs
the offer should be accepted at once"
''If the offer was accepted would each club
want an equal share of the money!
''I don't see why it should be otherwise. At
present think that the Pittsburg club is just
as valuable as any other and certainly we
would not agree to accept any offer except we
received an equal share of the purchase money.
1t also seems to me that if the offer is genuine
Indianapolis. Washington and Cleveland would
be quite ready to accept SlOO,oOO each for their
respective clubs I"
IT MAY NOT BE BONA FIDE.
But" continued Mr. Nimick, ut may be
that the offer has been made for purpose: not
to buy the clubs, but to add little more
trouble to the National League. The offer is a
big one, and if it is refused then the cry will
go forth that there are immense fortunes in
baseball and that the League magnates who
have been declaring that they have not made
money have been saying what is not true. Ger
tainly if notion like this was to take root i t
would do the League considerable harm. To
do this may be the object of those who are sup
posed to have offered the 81 900, 900. Of course
there may at this stage of the warfare be many
reasons why such an offer would not be ac-
cepted. Do l think the team clubs are worth
that amount Of money? Well now, when we
receive direct ind ucement to sell will talk
to those who want to purchase on that point
PREDICTED FAILURES.
lido think however, that when the approach
ing season finishes we will find that the new
clubs at Pittsburg. Cleveland, Buffalo and
Brooklyn have all been failures. Looking at
are very valuable. However, am not in a po-
sition to say anything definite on the matter at
present, because l don't know whether or not
the offer in question has been made IN good
faith. If it has been made with honest inten-
tions then it becomes very important feature
in the history of baseball and may cause some
of the most surprising changes all round. But
we must wait few days and find out what
there is in it."
Other authorities conjectured that the offer
emanates from persons directly interested in
the new League, but this is denied by people
directly interested in the latter. As above
stated, however, there is a strong opinion ex-
ising to the effect that there is little nothing
in the big offer.
SCANDRETT's OPINION.
Secretary Scanurett does not place much
credence in the alleged offer, but yesterday he
said: 'If we can get $4,000 for our own club
it will go, and we'll give Sc, 600 to the man who
gets us that amount. However must learn
more about it before I'll believe it"
Manager HanlOn, of the local Players club.
said: II don't know of anybody connected with
the Brotherhood who would think of giving
such a price for the Leagues ten clubs.
We will down them anyhow. If any
such price has been offered the magnates will
be very silly if thev don't take it. also think
that if any such offer has been made it is with
the understanding that the magnates will re-
tire permanently from baseball At any rate,
wish it 70 be distinctly understood that we, the
Pittsburg Brotherhood club are not seeking to
buy out any National League club. We are
here to fight the battle on its merits, and we'll
be winners"