Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08

are risks nevertneleSS. Wnen speak OF rlSkS
refer to the cases of Baldwin, o'Connor and
Reilly. AS we all know, these players had all
agreed by contract to play for the Columbus
club, but, as 1 pointed out last week, they
claim that the Columbus club has grossly
violated these contracts, and, therefore, left
the players to go where they choose. The
Columbus club officials, of course, claim
that the contracts are still binding. The two
claims being opposite, cause the risk,
that is, assuming the Columbus club
resolve to prosecute their claims The Colum-
bus officials may and may not do this. cannot
tell. But if we take 1t for granted that all the
players we have now signed will play here then
the probabilities are there will he one of the
best clubs IN the country in Pittsburg. And
am inclined to think that all these players will
remain here and if they do for once it is safe to
say that PittSburg will have winning team. If
we take the four pitchers viz: Baldwin, Staley,
Stratton and Calvin, l think it will be difficult
to find another four of better average on any
other team. The three catchers are second to
no other three on any team, because we
all know of the very great abilities of Mack,
catchers The infield is also one of the
strongest Tell me where to find a better
pair of infielders than Beckley and Berbauer.
don't know where to look Tor them either as
regards fielding or batting. Miller may to some
extent be an experiment at short, but 1t is an
admitted fact that he is 4 ball player In any
position he may be sent to look after. Reilly
is good one and many authorities claim him
to be one of the star third Dasemen. / have
never seen him play, but there is every reason
to believe that he is an excellent player. The
outtield is not thoroughly fixed up yet, but
if We assume that HanlOn, Carroll and Swart-
wood are to be in the Outdeld positions l
venture to say that there will be worse Outfelds
than ours. grant that Swartwood and carroll
are not the best outfielders in the country, but
we must also admit that they are sterling
batters and good general players. Altogether,
then. even now venture the prediction that
with team such as have just named the local
club will ALWAYS be among the leaders.
Popularity of Winners.
And let me point out that don't think there
is city in the United States that is more en-
thusiastic over a winning team than is Pitts
burg. We have seen this proven in the past.
We cannot have forgotten the immense enthu-
siasm there used to be displayed when our club
was second in the Association race, and when
we pushed the winner, St Louis, so closely.
We are all able to remember the tremendous
crowds and the wild scenes of those times. Oh,
yes, Pittsburg will support a winning team, and
will support 1t heartily. And if we could once
get team that would get at or near the top
and stay there we would, without doubt, be
able 10 hold on to good team, because
good players would not then have such
a reluctancy to coming here as they have now.
But q very great deal depends upon the con-
duct of the players themselves as to whether or
not the club is successful There have been
many instances of teams that were composed OF
the very best players in the country, and yet as
teams they were failures Many causes con-
tribute to a result of this kind, and sincerely
hope that both the club officials and the players
Will do their very best to guard against these
causes. Certainly a remark of this kind sug-
gests the question of the sober and steady con-
duct of the players, and this question should by
no means be lost sight of. In my estimation
ball player would be the veriest migrate who
would, at time like this, come to play on
team here and not do his very best both on and
off the field to keep himself in good form. The
hold Snff fhaa a1t,n
financial risks not only for their own benefit
but also for the benefit of the players
and the patrons of baseball generally. These
facts suggest to me the thought that the club
officials will certainly enforce the rules of
discipline iu very rigid way While steadily
oppose anything like spy system that hounds
players in all tneit private transactions, DO
insist that lt is quite fair and buslnessllke for
officials of the various clubs to keep watchful
eve on the general conduct Of their respective |
players. l am. therefore, fully persuaded that
President ON ELL and Manager Hanlon will be
to see that the best of conduct ex-
lists among the players of tha local team. If |
this is done then the team will certainly be |
worthy of admiration and support.
The Cincinnati Question.
There are more complications in the Cincin- |
natl question than in the matter of the contin- |
gency fund. There are two very strong sides |
to the Cincinnati problem. The League has
one side and Al johnson has the other. OF
other, but only recognize the League and
Johnson, and it probably would have been bet
ter had Brush never put in appearance at all
on the scene. He is evidently too grasping and
too much after the interests of Brush only to
make good impression, and his request for
the League to put club into Cincinnati for
him and back it up with money for him was
simply outrageous. johnson has just claims
for consideration, but Brush has none what
/ think n
pointment of Messrs. Abel. O'Neil. ana Robin |
son a committee to deal with the Cincinnati
matter means that the League realizes the
wisdom of fully recognizing the claim of John |
son. l wish to state here that by all |
means the League should retain its hold
on Cincinnati until at least there Is absolute
proof that Cincinnati does not want a National
League club there. But it can have a club |
there and permit johnson to have satisfactory
share of it. l would ask what harm would it |
do TO allow johnson one-half of the team?
The situation is such there heroic way of
dealing without it might be the best In the end.
Policy and of good kind is what is wanted just |
now And If johnson could be gotten into
line by giving him one-halt OF the club and |
am inclined 10 think that it would be very
good and wise policy 1t is not too late to do it
and If it were done the ASSOCIATION would be
landed Just where it set out to land the League.
Most certainly this is a very significant way of
looking at il. and it may be well for the CON-
mittee representing the League In the matter
to weigh well this part of the question. don't
was satisfactorily arranged between the League
and johnson all trouble would soon cease.
The Champion Scullers.
1t is some time since | had anything to say
about the professional scullers. The reason
has been that all of them have been s1ying
low" to use the phrase. They have all been
quiet But William O'Connor now comes to
the front with q very business-lIke offer; it is
hardly offer yet, but it is safe to call it one
HIS statement goes to show that We may expect
one or two prominent sculing races this year
for championship honorS O'Connor has thus
declared himself:
II am in receipt of letter from John Deeble,
kemp's hacker, inclosing me draft of 6l0G
being the amount deposited by tnSn in con-
nCc;ion with the race and which they forfeited. |
peeble states that after left Australia Kemp |
was matched to row John Mclean, and when |
forfeit The $500 in your hands, posted to row |
Kemp, you may retain until my arrival in New |
Y Ork. when ! will call at the Police Gazette |
office and either withdraw it or leave il with a |
to row any man In the world for the |
The Boston Globe proposes that |
J ohm Teemer, Edward Hanlan, Jake Gaudaur |
and myself should each put up $500 and accept |
purse of 81 600 to row in single scull regatta
at the Point of Pines. near Boston, Mass. on |
May 3d. positively decline to enter in the race.
hold the Police Gazette championship chal-
enge cup, which represents the championship |
Of America, and | am prepared 10 row any man |
in the world for 81. coo to 5000 side. the Gun
and the championship of the world, and will be |
willing that you hold the stakes and appoint the |
referee" |
Probabilities of a Race.
have always had considerable faith in any. |
thing that O'Connor says, that is, don't look |
upon the Canadian as man of bluff. That he |
is prepared to row Teemer feel certain and 1 |
am just as certain that O'Connor is confident of
defeating the ex-McKeesporter. On the other |
hand Teemer told me some time ago that he is |