The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-21
Ewing AGAIN ON DECK
o. P. Caylor Writes Interest
ingly Of the Great Catcher.
A SHATTERED IDOL RESTORED.

The Most Promising Surprise of the Sea
son-Pitcher NuIIane's Prospective Suit
May BE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Bar.
mic as an Umvire-Other Chat.
The recent universal interest in the
planet Mars IS just now somewhat dulled
by counter attraction. A new star, on
rather an old one which was believed "a
| have set forever is in the ascendant. / re-
| fer TO Buck Ewing's star, which 50 sud
/ denly and 50 brilliantly reappeared in the
baseball armament.
1t is true that as baseball player Ewing
has not at any time dropped out of sight,
| but it required less than one year TO demon
strate the fact that as n first baseman he
was not q small fraction of interest TO the
general public compared 20 his work as a
catcher 1t is also true that Ewing ranked
among the first batters and base runners in
the country at all times. Those two quail
ifcations alone would not havesent Ewing
TO that height in the public estimation
which he reached few years ago. But
his superior and unrivaled abilities as n
catcher put him in the very front rank Of
all the stars.
| have seen every prominent catcher
since professional baseball was first played
and am prepared TO say, without hesita-
ton, that Ewing in his prime never had an
equal as a catcher. Morgan Murphy,
Charles thinner and Charles Bennett Of
today and Snyder, Clapp, Flint and
Deasly of the past are and were almost
pygmies in comparison. That is why
Ewing's popularity was national. 1t
could not be confined to the city where be
gave his services.
When in 1890 Ewing's arm failed him the
wise men of the press wagged their heads
and limited their fears that he would never
again thrill a multitude by his displayed
skill as a tactician and those wonderful I'M
paralleled snap throws. Months passed
and his few appearances during 1891. and
partial failures when be did appear,
seemed TO confirm those fears. When last
spring he started out as a first baseman for
the New York club the patrons of the
game everywhere united in belief that
they had seen the last Of Ewing as a
catcher. Then 10 transpired that Ewing
the first baseman was almost as unpop-
ular as Ewing the catcher had been pop
ular.
Without any previous positive announce
ment he sheathed himself in the armor of
the modern catcher in the first game of the
late Brooklyn-New York series and faced
the swiftest Of all the pitchers in the coun-
try. Twenty minutes after Umpire Barnie
had called Play balr' the public baseball
idol was restored. By one of those fondly
remembered snap shot throws he had
mailed" his rival and thst great base run
ner John VI. Ward, in an attempt to steal
second.
The good work in that play was repeated
many times during this game and the next,
by which time the patrons Of the game all
over the country were informed that the
king Of catchers had come back TO earth" 7
Ewings own JOY at his recovery must have .
been nearly as great as that which the IA /.
ther Of the prodigal felt long ago. For this I.
my arm which was dead is alive" And /
have no doubt Buck would willingly have .
killed fatted calf to commemorate the
event had he owned such a thing.
The result can hardly be estimated i'm its
general effect upon the game 1t is the
most promising surprise OF the season.
His work behind the bat in support Of
Rusie. Crane and King will greatly
the New York team.
Pitcher Mullane's second misunderstood
ng with his club is probably beyond adj
iustment, and the end promises to be an.
other baseball suit which in importance
will outehadow that brought by Burns
against the Pittsburg club Mullane will
not only sue the Cincinnati club
lnder his 1rst contract for salary, but he
nav sue the National league and Ameri-
an association, through President Young,
% recover damages. If he does the case
viii be sensational
Mullane admits that under the ten days
,ption clause in his contract his club had
right to release MIN without cause. But
he will make his fight on the grounds that
,efore he vas released his club entered
nto a conspiracy with the other eleven
league clubs whereby 10 was intended to
ompel him to return TO the Cincinnati
lub at a reduced salary AS q proof Of
he alleged conspiracy be may testify that
hough me is recognized as one of the most
esirable pitchers in the country, and
hough numerous clubs were openly ex-
ressing anxiety TO secure good pitchers 40
lmost any price, be could not, after his
elease. even get a reply from any one Of
he other eleven clubs, 10 all of whom he
endered his services
If the suit is brought the court might
ummons President Young under a tecum
uces, and thus bring into evidence the
Igned agreement made in June 40 the
fifth Avenue hotel, which pledged every
uD 90 refrain from negotiating with GER
hin stipulated players who might be re-
.ased for the purpose Of reducing sala-
les. Mullane's lawyers claim that such
conspiracy nulliied the option clause Of
Iuilaue's contract. They further assert
lat the act Of conspiracy is criminal and
luld be punished as such.
Therefore it may be seen how uniyer- o
lily important Mullane's suit or suits Q
i'll become Il they are brought and
lshed 10 trial
Very lately there was a conference in
hicago Of a few magnates, the outcome :
which is significant. They agreed that v
lie season this year began too early; that .,
pril championship games are dangerous 4
ID Improbable. They proposed that
,Xt year the League should curtail the
ason, reduce the number OF champion
lip games and make the season six z
onths instead of seven. That means six S
Onths contracts instead of seven, as az .
'esent in vogue, where the twelve months
I'd arc not used. y
Whether such q move would help to Z
al down salaries l. doubtful, but that Is
. lrf mo onfarf