The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-10-16

q.
considered much stronger candidates for
first honors than the Clevelands by eleven
of every twelve baseball cranks-namely,
the Bostons, Brooklyns and Philadelphias
But the Cleveland entry-as they say nj
the race track-cut out the pace from the
fall Of the flag, and, making all the rum
ming, were never headed.
Just what excuse can be made for the
three fayorites is hard to decide. IL may
be that the Bostons were bumped against
the rail at the far turn. Possibly the Phil
lies got into a pocket and failed to get
through their field. The Brooklyns may
have swerved in the stretch. At any rate
the three stale horses were ingloriously
beaten by the Cleveland selling platter.
There will probably be no series OF finals
between the Bostons winners OF the first
season. and the Clevelands. winners OF the
second race. The Bostons are not dead anx-
| ious" TO face their western rivals In the
first Mace there would be no money in Sc
RIGS between the two Cleveland and Boston
IN the latter part of October have climates
not at all calculated TO draw out much
patronage to the baseball grounds, and with
the present low stage Of interest in the game
the chance for a financial fzzle Is too
great. Besides the old precedent set by
| former worlds series" of giving part Of
the proceeds of such games to the players
of the two clubs still holds, and there is
certainly no inducement to the managers
in Boston and Cleveland to share with
| their men any part Of the money which the
games might bring in.
The Clevelands would be willing, but
the Bostons have not been anxious, and
for good reasons. The latter's pitchers are
in weak condition, and only one catcher is
able TO do his reputation justice-namely,
| Camel. The impression is that the Cleve-
lands would walk away with the Bostons
In such a contest The former would go
| into the series flushed with recent success,
and with the prestige and confidence of
fresh victors to back them up, whereas, as
I showed once before, the Bostons would
rtill be afflicted with the weaknesses which
led to their defeat in the second season.
| Therefore do not expect any series or finals
between these two teams this fall, no mat
ter what noisy challenges may pass be-
tween them.
There are more serious considerations
facing the magnates than the question OF
superiority between the Bostons and
| Clevelands. The very latest secretly called
| meeting Of the League bosses" In New
| York city is disclosure of disaster more
astonishing than any which have preceded
it and knocks the hot air out of President
Nick Young's August prosperity balloon,
which went sailing up so grandly.
First, the 10 per cent. sinking fund taken
off was raised to 1911 per cent Then it
was "fattened" TO l615. Now it Is an as
sessment TO meet Indianapolis obliga-
tions. This is the year when the owners OF
huge blocks of baseball stock are not
classed with the Na,derbilts, Goulds.
Astors and RockefeIlersH Every one of the
holders has been touched" heavily, more
or less by the financial disappointments Of
the year.
Naturally they are asking each other,
What shall we do 80 be saved? That ques-
ton will furnish them with mental worry
during the long, cold, weary winter. AS |
said month ago | will say again, with
still more emphasis, The chances are that
some steps backward toward abandoned
principles will be taken. There will be
but one championship season next year,
and nobody need be surprised If the old
eight club League circuit shall be restored.
In spite of denials which will be made 1t
is almost certain that two OF the four old
Association clubs are willing to head an-
other and separate strong circuit, built
upon old American association principles.
The other two would not require large
sum of cash to consent to 80 out Of busi-
ness altogether.
Salaries will come down. Yes, that Is q
necessity. 1t will be in many eases a
troublesome task to force the reduction all
along the line, but | think it will be &C
complished. The reasonable player, who
looks into the future, knows that his in
terests demand paying basis for profess
sional baseball Receipts at present do not
Justify this years salaries. Baseball is a
business like any other vocation, and when
il doesn't pay and can't be made to pay it
goes out of existence.
Harry Wright says there may be trouble
with some Of the old stars, but that young
blood" will be tried instead unless the old
stars come to very liberal terms. Harry
has said that for effect. Old stars cannot
be spared in any large number. If the
Philadelphias have to let Conner, Thomp-
son, keefe. Clements, Mailman and Ham
ilton go next year and replace them with
new and untried mem they might az well
close their gates and save what little money
In salaries they would pay out.
This is Cleveland's first Twin" after
many weary years in baseball and several
close races in which their team either
held lead awhile or ended well up among
the leaders. Naturally all northern Ohio
is rejoicing, and there is plan on foot to
give the team public reception and bene-
fit, at which the mayor of the city will
preside.
am told that the Rochester and Provi-
dence clubs, Of the Eastern league, made
money this season, and that several South
ern league clubs bore balance on the
profit side Of their books. These are a few
stray bits Of encouragement for the profess
sion-a few crumbs in famine. 1t is
strange that clubs made money which
were expected to disband before August,
and that the two promising organizations
met with such an astounding failure
In baseball we are no sooner done with
one season than the talk about next season
becomes general 1t will be q long, cold
winter, and yet too short for all that will
be said about the national game and its
wonderful prospects. o. p. CAYLoR
L
An Important Point.