Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-04
Mr.. WARD EXPLAINS.
The Famous Shortstop Tells Why He
Didn't Come Here.
PROSPECTS OF THE LOCAL CLUB
Some Strong Reasons Why Louis Bierbauer
Belongs to the Pittsburg Team.
JOHNSON AND BRUSH FAIL TO AGREE

John N. Ward has written Manager
Hanlon, of the local club, an interesting
and gentlemanly letter. fully explaining the
reasons why he, Ward, preferred to play in
Brooklyn instead of in Pittsburg. The local
manager is we'll satisfied with the reasons
given. They are to the effect that Wards
home is close to Brooklyn, and, as he
knows the people there, after residing there
for so many years, he feels it difficult to
move. Ward goes on to say there is no
manager under whom he would better like
to play than Manager Hanlon. and pays a
very high encomium to the latter's abilities.
Ward never mentions the question of salary.
but confines his reasons strictly to those above
mentioned.
During a conversation on the matter last
evening Manager Hanlon said: "The letter is
quite lengthy and does credit to John Ward,
not at all because of mis- reference to me. but
because of the very frank way in which he ex-
plains how his sympathies are with Brooklyn.
More Money in Pittsburg.
HE would have done better financially,
think, had he come here, because was en-
powered to make him side offer, which meant
that he would get more money from us than
from any other club. If he is only going to get
IS, 900 in Brooklyn he will play for a salary far
short of what we would have given him."
Manager hanlon returned from she East
yesterday morning looking extremely well and
hearty HIS main topic was the Bierbauer case.
On that he said: "Whv, nobody can take Bier
bauer from US without optraging the funda-
mental principles OF baseball law. wired Mr..
Phelps. of the American Association, asking
whether or not Bierbauer was reserved Mr..
Phelps replied that neither the association or
club in it had reserved him. This LETT him
frna 60 rvl,a ha bad h,,Nr DIV aru
that but US. 1 visited Bierbauer at Erie, and
while there he received telegram from Ward
requesting him to sign with no club that they
Bierbauer and Ward, would play together. l
induced the famous second baseman to sign
with us, and as soon as that WAS known to the
other clubs they all commenced to shout that
it was not right. They had been fooled and
are now trying to get even by bluff. 1t won't
60. Mack is also our player. and Arthur Irwin
was extremely hot with him for signing our
contract Arthur knows very well that Mack
is ours. Mack offered me $3.50 to release him,
and refused. think we have lost Haddock." )"
Manager Hanlon's Confidence.
Manager Hanlon is confident that there will
be team here almost equal to that of New
York. He thinks that President ONeill will
come home with the contracts of an outtelder
and third Daseman. Probably VanHaltren
and Tebeau. If the latter cannot possibly be
secured Mr.. Hanlon thinks that Mulvey can.
But it is understood that as a last resort a GER
tain move can be made to secure Tebeau, Ne
gotiations are now going on for two pitchers,
and both are good ones. Altogether President
O'Neill and Manager Hanlon are doing all that
is possible for men to do toward securing first
class team, and, il they fail. the fault is not
theirs.
The Bierbauer case has now become of pa-
tional prominence as far as baseball is con-
cerned. Manager Hanlon's statement. given
above, shows conclusively that only Pittsburg
has any right whatever to that players serv-
ices. In the past it has been the rule for all
the great baseball powers to kick against the
legitimate claims of Pittsburg when anything
valuable was at stake. The same spirit is man
ifesting itself now, but surely at this time. SO
soon after the bitter experiences of last year,
baseball law pure and simple will be allowed to
operate tree from all the influences of senti-
ment and prejudice. If the Association people
neglected to reserve Bierbauer the loss is theirs
and the result of their neglect. Pittsburg has
nothing whatever. to do with that. Pittsburg's- s.
duty was and is to act in accordance with rec
ognized baseball law. That has been done and
those who try to ride rough shod over lawful
transactions and t-ampls them in the dust will
be responsible for the consequences. They are
no friends of right; they are enemies to the best
interests Of the national game and only want to
get along as pirates on the high seas.