Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-24
OVER TOTHE ORIOLES
Pitcher Charles Esper Will Wear a
Baltimore Uniform.
WHAT ]. EARL WAGNER SAYS
Weak Attemptto Justify the Local
CT, b Management.
so FAR HE IS SATISFIED!

~ ihh LIZ 10 On llAi
pitcher Charles Esper was last night
released to the Baltimore club. and there Is
not a cent of money involved in the trans
action" said Manager G. H. Schmelz of the
Washington Base Ball Club to Star re-
porter today. THE only consideration
made was that we shall have first say
with regard to the services of any player
who may be released by Manager Hanlon."
"Esper has not been playing good ball
for u.s." continued MIR. Schmelz. "Out of
about twenty games he has pitched this
season he won but three, which is any
thing but a good record, and l consider 1t
the best thing for him, as well as for us, to
let him go to a leading club. In Baltimore,
with that hustling aggregation behind him
and away from non-temperate associates
in this city. / am sure that he will do ex-
ceilent work In the box, which it seems he
could not do here"
Words From J. Earl Wagner.
At this point Mr.. ]. Earl Wagner Joined
in the conversation. 1T seems that the
old impression that the Wagners are In
base bail for money alone and care nothing
whatever for a winning club continues to
prevail" said Mr.. Wagner. Now, any
person with horse sense knows that If this
club was a winner how much better 1t
would be for us financially. Wouldn't We
be fools not to put out $1,000 more to get
a winning club? Most certainly we would,
and we have been making the utmost en-
deavor to get together such an aggrega-
ton Of players.
"A howl was raised because a number of
the old players were released, but what
have any of them, with the possible eXcep-
ton of Patsey Donovan and perhaps
Toyyd- amounted TOP We NOT
responsible for Donovan's going, for he was
drummed out of town. In regard to the
Farrell Meekin sale, 1 am of the opinion
now, as / always was, that from base
ball standpoint Washington got the best
of the deal. OF the recent changes made
regretted very much to see George Tebeau
go. I don't believe that there are five
feeders in the league who can discount him,
but he came to me in the most friendly
manner, stated that he was not well
thought of by the local base ball public, and
asked that We let him go, and his request
was complied with AS to Joe Sullivan, he
has at times played phenomenal ball. but
as every one knows. he vas entirely too
erratic to be depended upon. .t...-
Satisfied With the Season.
Although disappointed at the small num-
Der of games won, my brother and myself
are entirely satisfied with what has been
during the season. Out of
twenty-six men carried on the rolls for
several months at great expense We have
succeeded in developing four as good men
as there are today in the league, each Of
whom, / am sure, would be Immediately
sought after, If released, by all the other
eleven clubs. / refer to Cartwright, Abbey,
Selpach and Mercer. Notwithstanding re-
ports published to the contrary SelSach is
as good ball player as anybody wants.
and the trouble has been that his position
was not known until a few days ago, when,
by accident 1t was found that he was thor
oughly at home in left field Mr.. Schmelz
has his eyes open. and If next spring we can
bring out four players equally as good as
those mentioned l see no cause for COM
plant
"The Washington public does not seem
to devote the least thought to the situation,
but jumps at conclusions" Mr.. Wagner
went on to say. The people should re-
members that for nine years. under various
owners. this city has possessed a tail-end
club. The Baltimore club for years was
their present winning team was built up
with new blood, precisely as we are en-
deavoring to secure such an organization
for Washington.
Now for Nick Young.
with the utmost respect for Mr.. N. H.
Young, whom 1 esteem very much. am
firmly of the opinion that even the Boston
club could not win the pennant If the pres
ident of the league resided in the Hub.
The umpire howl may be a chestnut but,
nevertheless. it is a fact that because of
lost almost a score of games SO far this
season. The umpires in this city know that
the eye of Mr.. Young is upon them, and
that their situation depends on their work.
But while away this is the tail-end club,
and nothing Is too bad fo- the dog so we
get 1t numerically. As the local public does
not witness the out-of-town games. appre-
ciate the fact that II is hard for 1t to
understand the situation, but 1t Is exactly
as i have depicted 1t.
Then, again, there IS not a club in the
circuit. not executing the Phillies. that has
been afflicted with the run of bad luck that
has accompanied us. Mcmahon, one of the
best catchers and hitters in the business,
has not played single game because of Ill
tanning winning form he suffered an attack
Of infiammatory rheumatism, and Mcclure,
Petty, Joyce. and others, have been laid up
at the most inopportune moments.
Additional Baby Act Pleading.
Speaking of the umpires I don't thing 1t
has been noted that some time ago In Bos-
ton half the players Of that team sympa-
tkized with our men, and agreed with us
that Stage and O'Rourke deliberately robbed
us Of two games. The Boston press also
admitted as much.
Another interesting fact Is the manner
In which crowds in certain other cities en-
deavor to hinder the play of our men. Out
west in a game about two weeks ago the
home team had three men on bases In the
ninth inning, with two out. A fly was
knocked to Hasamaear, but some one in the
crowd hurled a cushion at him and prevent
ed his catching the ball. In Baltimore on
Saturday Setback was greeted with a show
er of beer glasses from the left field bleach
ers while attempting to gather In a BALL
Ill this, however, is not thought of by the
Washington public. We are doing all in our
power to give Washington a winning club
and expect to do so in time"
Manager Schmelz and Pitcher Petty held
a consultation this morning In regard to the
latter's going to Kansas City for the re-
main6er of the season, but nothing was
agreed upon. The matter rests entirely with
Petty. Although nothing authentic can be
learned IN regard to the subject, 1t Is posi-
bic that Washington may secure the SER
vices OF Infielder Frank Bonner of Balti-
more before many days have elapsed