The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-06

-%N i jsds ssS ' slaT snia,
statesmen in their use Of money. During
the last week | have learned that which
makes it safe to announce as a fact that
the National league clubs will next year
pay out not much more II any more, than
half as much In salaries as was paid this
year.
AS an instance, this years Brooklyn
players cost the club only little less than
$4,000. The club officials declare they
will not pay one cent over 1000 next
year. and the sum may be nearer S25, 900.
The ST. Louis team OF 1892 cost Won der
Abe over $4,000. He has promised that
his next seasons team shall not cost
10000 and may be kept down to $4,000
The New York team, though big failure
was expensive, and over s45, 900 was paid
by the club in salaries There may be less
cut in the sum total Of this clubs next sea
sons salaries than in any other OF the
twelve, because it is necessary tostrengthen
the team from outside sources, and that
can only be done by liberaity in salaries
for new players which will not be granted
to the reserved players. The Bostons will
probably not get their sum total for 1898
below $4,000. A very clear understanding
upon this matter Of salary reductions was
had at the late New York conference The
magnates then ard there solemnly pledged
themselves 10 stand firmly by their reduc-
ton figures till the last horn blows or the
cows come home, as it were.
Only one or two clubs have lost over
GOO this season, and there will not he
It 81 Ill, IL
will pay within that sum as much in sal
aries as it paid this year. Hence the argu-
ment that even il there be no revival OF in
terest in the game for 1898 there will be
no Losses and nearly all the clubs will come
out winners financially Such are the
dreams with which the magnates are going
to while away the winter nights.
1t has not been many years ago since, at
about this season, the professionals were
organizing, ION their own hook" TO go to
California Cuba. New Orleans or Florida
on winter expeditions 1t paid the players
then. Such trips now would probably be
expensive indulgences, and in anticipation
of next summers frosts the boys are taking
no chances with their small surplus this
winter. The Brotherhood revolt knocked
all the gloss off the baseball heroes and
stars. The public no longer falls down
and kisses the beautiful feet Of the dia-
mond kings; there are no diamond kings,
and there is now no patient awaiting on
the Pacific coast for the eastern heroes
winter visit to the western slope.
There was a little earlier in the year
some talk Of organizing a team for a visit
to Cuba. But the report that bull fight
ing on the island not so popular as it was
last year scared off the hackers Of the en-
terprise, for when there is slump in bull /
fighting at Havana baseball has no show. |
The Clevelands had planned joint trip
to California with the BOstons. The latter
demanded q guarantee Of railroad fares
both ways. The Clevelands grumbled, but |
granted the guarantee. Then the Bostons
backed out. That was before the finals
were played. Now the Cleyelands look
upon this back down Of the Bostons as the
only real good luck they have had
The New Yorks need second baseman. |
Anson's team is weak at that point The
Bostons want better man than Quinn |
for their nine But second basemen of the |
Al brand are scarce. 1t is the hardest |
place on nine to fill acceptably The |
New Yorks would like to get McPhee or
Richardson, and it is almost a sure thing |
that they will get one or the other. Pfef
fer is likely 10 leave Louisville next year
Boston would pay handsomely for Pfeffer's |
services
The Brooklyns' lease on their old home
Washington park-expires with this
year. and the noted playground will next
year be cut up into building lots 1t is
e. u =
Washington's headquarters at one period
during the Revolutionary war, and the old
stone house from which he at that time
issued his orders is still standing Ii was
used by the players as clubhouse. The
old editice will now be raZed.
Another baseball park which will be
given up TO the stride Of building improve
ments is Sportsmen's park, the present
home of the st. Louis club 1t has been
baseball ground since 1853, and is by far
the oldest diamond in the United States.
1t is also probable that the Louisvilles will,
by a provision in their lease, be compelled
TO abandon their own grounds TO the city
government next year. II so, the recent
destruction Of their grand stand by fire will
turn out to be good luck.
TO all of these departing Fairgrounds
must be added the Chicagos West Side
home, abandoned last season. If all the
ground occupied by professional baseball
clubs during the last twenty-five years
were assessed at their present value, the
sum total would be large enough to stock
half dozen national banks.
The rumor which started in Louisville
recently that another players league WAS
secretly organized and would be launched
next year with enthusiastic hackers and
'slathers" of capital came seven months
90 late and five months too soon for an
pril fool joke When any more capital
seeks investment by starting up another
Independent baseball circuit money will he
ound on the streets and in the corn fields
Why it is just like paying taxes to get
money now 10 cover the legitimate ex
'ehses Of established clubs The days of
ainbow chasing in baseball have gone by.
They will come back again when we burn
witches end return to tallow candles and