Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-01-18
THEY WANT WARD.
He Is the Subject OF Rivalry
Among the Clubs.
HIS FALLING OUT WITH EWING.

Great struggle IN VI.
John VI. Ward Just at present seems 20
be very much In demand. Nearly every
club in the League mi several in the
American association appear to be anxious
to secure his services for the playing sea
son Of 1891. The foremost bidders for his
ability and personal popularity are the
Boston, Brooklyn and Athletic clubs. The
Athletics will have no show unless the Ma
tional league clubs waive claim To Wards
services, which is not likely to happen.
There has been in certain quarters, and
indeed il has been the opinion of Ward
himself. that the National league would
give him a rough deal in -onsequen Of
his efforts in forming the now defunct
Players league.
Judging by the competition for him now,
there does not seem TO be any foundation
for such fears. Even II the League cap
italists were inclined TO make reprisals,
they could not afford 10 10 so. In fact
they have no such desire. The chances are
now that Ward will remain in brooklyn
AZ least that Is the programme Of Messrs.
Byrne and Goodwin, and IL i a part Of
their consolidation agreement, provided.
Of course, that John B. Day aud Mr.. Ward
agree. Mr.. Day says that he wants Ward
70 play on the New York team, but this
does not seem TO suit Ward.
Then there are some good reasons that
govern Ward in not desiring Co play on
the same team with Ewing. which j. one
Of his objections 20 New York. and up one
can we'll blame him When Ward was
captain Of the New York club iu l~~j and
l~s1 tine team was a remarkably strong
one. and should have won the champion
ship. At least that was the opinion ~ *
nv. ill., H..H -
Wards door. when, a. "a matter Of fact,
Ewing was more responsible than Ward
When be- played Buck work WA, exceed
ingly brilliant, but he managed somehow
10 b. iu such shape a. not 90 be able 70 -
behind the bat when Wari wanted him
most. There isn't any question that Ewing
was lukewarm, n his apathy was "a sore
spot that has ranked In Wards heart FOR
years. Iet when Ewing became captain,
and won the championship two year. with
practically the same team. Ward did his
whole duty. Indeed. without him the
chances are that the pennants would not
have been won.
During the baseball war last year Ward
and Ewing were at lOggerheads most Of
the time, although they kept the fact a.
quiet a, possible. and since the Close OF the
season Ward has grown very bitter against
Ewing. A. he considers tina. Ewing had a
good deal 70 do with p~ersIading the New
York capitalists Of the Payer league %
quit. Be this a. IL may, one thing is sure
that the two men could never again play in
harmony on the same team where one had an
opportunity 10 boss the other, - il may b.
settled that the chances ART only about one
in a hundred that Ward will b. found with
the Giants Of 1891. IL would be a master
stroke. however. 70 have him play A. cap
tain and manager for the Brooklyn club.
A. the rivalry bit ween the two clubs, al
ways great, would h. intensified. and the
result would nave an influence on the gate
not % b. despised.
The terms Of consolidation in brooklyn
are to increase the capital stock Of the
club % S2JO,UDO, II which the National
league people will hold Sl3iOJO. For their
share the late Players' league capitalists
will pay Mr.. Byrne aud his partners SfO,-
600 10 cash. and the club will move 10
Eastern park, bag and baggage. The con
solidation has been delayed by one OBJ
structing stakeholder, who has got an in
junction restraining the Player league
peop.e from carrying out the deal until il
has Jeen ratified by the srOckholden, but
the injunction merely acts 10 delay, a. Mr..
Goodwin holds control Of 80 per cent. Of
the stock, and will have nc trouble iI yut-
ing 70 ratify the arrangements made In
due time.
The various conference committee and
the League and Association are finishing
up their deals this week, and within a few
day. the circuits will he definitely fixed
and the baseball capitalists will know just
how they stand. There Is some doubt
abOut the Association securing clubs in
Boston and Chicago, but the impression j.
thai they will If they are willing to accept
the conditions demanded.
The circuits once fXed the question Of
players will be taken up, and the teams for
1891 will begin 20 assume definite form.
There will no doubt be some trouble over
the players, but the League will really have
little difficulty In securing such 81 their
old men a. they desire. The players gener-
ally nave accepted the situation, aid are
prepared % make the best Of 10.
The clever way in which Mr.. Spalding
secured 10 his old players the salaries they
thought were lost for good, and gOt them
a fair price for their brotherhood stock,
has had "A good effect on all the players,
and barring a few who object 10 playing
with the men who remained loyal % the
National league In their extremity, there
will be no hear~tburnings. The malcOn-
tents the League will not worry itself
about. Those Of them vino are good play
ers will receive Offers Of good salaries %
play ball. and IL they refuse the League
will not chase them very long.
There viii not be- quite 80 many changes
among the teams a. has generally been
expected. Pfeffer is more than likely 70
remain IN Chicago. and most Of the pOpu-
lar favOrites viii play with their old clubs.
Nearly all the Association players in the
late Players league will be returned 70
the Association clubs from which they
were taken unless deals are made 70 retain
them in the League. This will be done in
a few cases, notably those Of Stovey, Bier
bauer, weighing and Orr.
The public interest IN the game is greater
now than was generally expected, after the
apathy which grew up out Of the fierce
struggle of last season, and the renewed
interest is a healthy indication that with a
restoration Of local pride in one club md a
cessation Of strife the game viii Onoe more
aan.~ eha wwww-a..-H H. Il k.la l.. NCaE