Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-05-05

rival IN the Buckeyes, and fight 10 the
finish sprang up between the two clubs. A
series Of games was finally arranged, and IL
was understood 20 be case Of the survival
Of the filter. The vanquished club must 20
TO the wall.
Then IL was that George and Harry
Wright were imported from the east 10 help
the Rcd Stockings win the fight, and that.
by the way, was the first introduction Of
real professional baseball into the west.
The day and night preceding the final
struggle between those two Cincinnati
clubs are still remembered by many resi-
dents Of that city. Each club had its warm
adherents, and partisan spirit ran high.
The entire population, IL seemed, had taken
one side or the other, and charges OF treach-
cry and corruption were flying around the
streets as thick as flies in August. Hun
dreds OF "cTauks" did not 20 to bed that
night, but sat up or stood on the streets
discussing the coming contest until the
light Of dawn announced the arrival OF the
day OF the deciding game. The exciting
times Of the war; but recently closed, were
we'll remembered, and the scenes on the
streets Of Cincinnati that night were aptly
compared TO the excitement which pre-
vailed when it was known that some great
battle was in progress, and men In their
anxiety stayed up Till morning so rs TO be
on hand 10 get the first copies Of the news
papers as they came from the press.
And the newspapers of that fateful day
OF the great game between the Red Stock
irgs and the buckeyes came out early
with double leaded leaders on the situation.
Much OF this excitement and newspaper
sensation was caused by we'll circulated
IuN l.. haH tbn.t oh N
certain member Of the Red Stockings, who
was TO throw the game. Similar charges
were made against the Red Stockings by
the Buckeyes and their friends.
The result was one Of the greatest crowds
ever seen on "A ballfeld In the west. There
existed wild desire 10 find out who the
suspected player was, and when the Red
Stockings took the Geld with Grant, a sub
stitute, in the position which the great
fielder Hatfield occupied regularly, the
opinion prevailed that Hatfield was the
suspected player. AS 1t happened, a fly
catch of a very difficult ball by Grant saved
the day to the Red Stockings and gave
them not only the victory, but the field to
themselves for the next two years.
Nothing was ever proved against Hat
field In spite Of his unfair treatment In that
game. After the excitement died out pub
lie feeling turned in his favor, and he played
several subsequent seasons In the promi-
nent teams OF the east, during all OF which
time not a word OF suspicion, but much OF
praise, was spoken OF him as ball player.
The sight Of Mr.. Hatfield nearly 20 years
later, a successful, honored business man
In the metropolis OF tue land, naturally re-
called that period Of two days and a night
IN Cincinnati when he was the victim Of
the unreasonable suspicious which ever
tnce that early day have followed baseball
players,
Pitchers Young OF Cleveland and Rusie Of
New York have got some advertising out
OF their spring diversion II they have not
added 10 their prospective incomes for the
summer These two young men, forgetful
OF business depressious and hard times,
talked lightly about offers Of salaries such
as judges and governors Of the states thank
fully receive and ask no questions They
made Intellectual attempts TO break into
the charmed circle which the income tax
provision Of the Wilson bill is expected TO
touch, but the wisdom Of kind friends res
cued both from their folly, and happily for
themselves and the baseball profession they
have signed the roll for 1894
The profession could not well afford 70
lose eiIher, nuCh less bOln, OF THESE men,
who are half Of the Big -Four Of whom /
wrote last week Pitchers-good, tried pitch.
srs-are too scarce TO be eliminated from
the game. This season, however. may see
some notable additions TO the first class
rank OF pitchers.
Kennedy of the Brooklyns developed
great strength as we'll rs an immense head
during the last half Of ls93, and he, too, put
his salary figures up 20 luxurious proper
tions. Kennrdy's worth lies to great ex
tent IN his arm. Next to Rusie and Mul
| lane, his pitching member is said 90 he q
| marvel Of strength and endurance, and hi'
friends claim that be can pitch every day In
the week, do effective work all the tim,
! and never know what weak arm is