Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-17
A REVIEW OF SPORTS.
How the Grimm Case Has Humiliated
the Local Ball People.
THE INTERNATIONAL AMATEURS
Plans Of the Leading Pugilists and the
Coming Contesta
UNFAIR TREATMENT OF PLIMNER

oNE AIN 4huAIA1NA We IulM h1h
The week just ended has been notable for
its dullness as far as sporting events of inter-
est have been concerned. In no branch of
sport has there been anything of prominence
in national sense; indeed, taking every
thing into consideration, it has been real
mid-winter week
IT not the most important, certainly the
most interesting event of the week, locally,
has been the local ball clubs unconditional
surrender of all claims to Grimm. / have
known the local club long time, and have
watched it pass through many yicissitudes,
but have never known it to play a more
humiliating part than its part played in the
Grimm case. After almost going to the ex-
tent of threatening to blow everybody from
the face of the earth who said Grimm
didn't belong to Pittsburg, the officials of
the local club suddenly collapsed and ad-
mitted they had no claim to Grimm at all
1t therefore follows that all the noise and
bluster and abuse have been uncalled for,
and, what is more important, very unfair.
1t must go on record that in this Grimm
case the President of the local club has
played one of the most foolish parts ever
played in baseball, and he must have
learned lesson that ought to be profitable,
both for himself and the club, if he is to
continue as its head. The facts of the case
are so extremely simple, and so very, very
clear that one cannot but wonder at the
local clubs President allowing himself to
be made such a mark Of That official was
at the Indianapolis meeting when agree
ments were made; he also had, and sup
pose has yet, in his possession all the rules
and conditions agreed to at that meeting.
One of the conditions was to the effect that
all players having recently signed two or
more contracts, that is, having signed an
Association and also a League contract,
should be at the disposal of the Committee
on Players. This was put exceedingly
plain. Grimm had signed two contracts
and this paper was the first to note the fact
that Louisville claimed him on that &C.
count
Some Very Foolish Conduct.
But no sooner was it noted in these
columns that the Louisville club emphatic
ally claimed Grimm, than the head of our
local club began to declare all kinds of
things. Others aided him in these wild
declarations and nothing short of the power
and majesty of the court was to be invoked
against the robbers of the new league. The
most wonderful thing of the whole business
was that these persons who were making
all the noise did not see the very plain
and prominent fact that Pittsburg had no
claim at all on Grimm.
1t was only after all the noise and abuse
had taken place that the local club dis
covered its very foolish position, and on the
advice of very wise man like President
Young withdrew from the case. And now
the local President has only himself
to blame if the club is the laughing stock of
the country. But heis quoted as saying that
he has relinquished ali claim on Grimm,
and still thinks the local club had right to
HIS services, Great heavens, think OF this.
Is it possible that President Temple is such
an easy mark as to quietly give up to other
people what belongs rightfully to the local
club? 1 had thought the interests of the
local club weremore secure than that. But
don't think there was grain of sincerity
In the Presidents statement when he said
the club had q right to Grimm. The
statement was made to somewhat cover up
the very humiliating surrender. 1t would
certainly have been better had the President
openly and maEfully said: eve have been
entirely wrong in this Grimm matter. He is
not ours and let him go at once to those to
whom he belongs"
Of course, President Robfson's letter had
something to do with the matter. / have no
fault to find with Mr. Robson for pointing
out what Is and what Is not truth; but do
claim that 1t might have been better had he
privately written the Pittsburg club on the
matter before he wrote anybody else.
And now let me say that the Grimm case
Is proof conclusive that there has been
ample reason for my writing as have done
on the matter during the last few weeks.
What have particularly urged has been
the foolish and ungenerous plan of abusing
everybody and everything who claimed |
Grimm from Pttsburg before one-half of |
like President Young are more likely to pc |
in the right on matters of baseball law than |
men like President Temple and at any rate |
1t is always best to hear both sides before |
making decision. Because have tried to |
enforce this point have been very roundly |
abused by one or two people who now may |
De able to see the very large and plain fact |
that they have been in the wrong.
A policy such as has recently been in
dulged in by the local club and some of its |
dangerous friends is the same policy that |
was carried out by the Association magnates |
when they launched into anarchy because |
the Board of Control awarded Bierbauer and |
Mack to Pittsburg. From first to last have |
lssailed the policy and methods of the asSo-
citation magnates and surely l cannot sup
port those methods now simply because
they are indulged in by the local club.
Wen Come Out All Right.
Lud mny lose Lyons, don't let us for one
moment think that the club is ruined or
lnything like it. really don't think the
oss Of Grimm, or at least his absence, will
fleet the club at all. Without either Grimm
,rLyons we will still have good team, that
g, don't think that either of the players
make the team one whit better |
han it would be without either of them. I
all to see where LYONS at third and some |
ody in center and Hanlon in left, would be
ny Improvement at all on Farrell at third
nd Corkhill in center and Hsnlon in left.
Depend upon it, the services of Corkhill |
re being treated too lightly by the local
lub. 1t will be no surprise to me if he is |
realty missed. The truth is many people
re wondering why he is not rated much |
igher than he is by the local club. Let me |
tate here that the local club will not get a |
etter fielder than Corkhill, and just stick a |
in IN this. A day or two ago Vice President
cir stated that no more players would be |
gned by the local club for some time at | I
,ast. This is q sensible resolve, that is, ex-
spt real first-rateI comes our way. The
irectors have worked energeticallv for
bod team; they deserve one, and 1 am in ,
ined to think they will have a much better
'am than many people expect.
A GreaE Athletic Scheme. s.
During the week many announcements I
i've been made regarding gigantic inter- r
ltional athletic scheme that is to be pro- !
oted in England. The idea is to have in Z
irrational athletic contests of all kinds | r