Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-08-23

public in general that nothing can stop
them in their claim for the championship
again. Cleveland S lead is so small and the
handicap which the "Spidcrs" will have to
face in their long eastern trip will be so
heavy that their prospects of remaining at
the top are far from good or even fair. Still
strange things happen in baseball, and
nothing is sure. When the Baltmores Wis
tied Cleveland in July Tebeau's men beat
them four times in succession. There will
be four games between the two clubs in
September at Baltimore, and those four
games will probably settle the contest as
between Cleveland and Baltimore
Another remarkable outcome of this
week of surprises was the collapse of the
New York team on Aug. 2. They returned
from their western trip with the best rec
ord of all the eastern teams, having won
two-thirds of their games. They followed
this up with five successive victories Just
before their stampede. Then came three
defeats in Baltimore and three in Phila-
dolphia. The latter must be classed as
genuine surprises. The great Rusie was
batted for six runs in the first inning of
the first game in that city and retired in
favor of Clarke, who checked the Quakers'
rush until his club fought its way up Hill
into the lead, when he, too. was punished
for enough more runs to win q game. Next
day Rusie went in again and apparently
had the game safe by score of to I'M
til the seventh inning, when the Phillies
fell upon him for seven runs by hard hit
ting. They say history never repeats itself,
BUT it came near doing it in this instance.
Last May this same team won a game from
the New Yorks in the last inning by hit
ting Rusio for seven runs
In the last game at Baltimore Meekin
held the champions down to five hits.
When he took his turn at Philadelphia
those sluggers drove him out of the box in
four innings during which they "found
him. for II runs. Then the eyes of New
York patrons were opened to the fact that
neither Of New York great pitchers is in
the form this year which he showed last
season. Rusie has not taken the physical
care Of himself which is almost necessity
for a pitcher who wants to last for num-
Der of years in his profession. Mcekins
trouble is purely of the nerves and mus
cles. His injured arm has not been right
since last spring. Perhaps with the rest he
will get during the long winter it will
turn out all right and strong next year.
1t is to be hoped it will, for Meekin is
star player in whom the profession may
we'll feel pride
] believe it is not generally understood
that Meekin was a small part of the New
York clubs consideration when the now
celebrated battery was purchased from the
Washingtons. The New York management
was set upon securing Farrell's release
Ward wanted Farrell, and big price was
offered for his release. The sum was a bit
| short of that which President Wagner
asked. Finally the latter said: "Ill tell
You what IN do; add 81, 600 to the amount
and IL throw in Meekin" The New York
club hesitated, and went to Arson for adj
vice. Take him quick was the old war
rior's advice, and the check for 81, 500,
which paid for the release of the battery,
was handed over.
As soon as the transaction was closed
Anson went to Treasurer Talcott of the
New York club and said, II suppose about
So. 500 of that money is intended for
Farrell's release" Mr. Talcott assented
well, said Anson, Il like Farrell. He is
great catcher, and I'd like to have him
myself, but let me whisper something to
you; that other fellow, Meekin, is the
more valuable man of the two. If you on
ly paid 81, 1000 for his release yDu've got
the cheapest ball player in the Union"
Talcott laughed at Anson's enthusiasm,
but when the season of 1894 ended the Chi.
cago's chiefs words stood out in letters OF
gold. No battery did better work that sea
son than Farrell and Meekin. Farrell has
been just as serviceable this year, but it is
doubtful whether his work would .haye