The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-31

Who is twiriing the sphere in such great form
for the Baltimores.
ness, representing an equal number OF
cities. Besides there are almost as many
more organized into state and sectional
leagues, while the amateur and semipro-
fessional clubs, which are located all over
the Union, will run up into the hundreds,
II not thousands.
Up to the 10th of August the 30 and
more clubs controlled by the national
agreement had played 2, s6s championship
games. These clubs employ 700 players,
whose combined salaries will foot up tho
enormous sum Of 81 900, 600. Who will say
that the American people arc not willing
TO pay bountifully for a sport which they
know TO be honest and on the level?
Baseball as business, however, is not a
sinecure. The game is uncertain, and the
stars are more than uncertain. There is
no living civilized being so hard 10 con-
troll as the average baseball player. The
New York and Boston clubs have exam
pies of that truism this season. Insubor-
dination and iptemperance have put both
clubs out of the pennant race just rs they
were entering into the closing games at
home, by which money should be made.
These indiscretions of the stars have cost
their clubs many thousands of dollars.
1t is no secret that the great Rusie, by
an inordinate use of liquor during this
season, has lowered his usefulness and de-
stroyed whatever chance the New Yorks
may have had TO win. Earlier in the
season, while at Baltimore, he was fined
800 for dissipation, and for n time he put
check upon his appetite. Lately he fell
again, and his club practically dropped
mt of tho Va,f ho IL NOT alnnn In
that respect. Nearly every club of tho
major League has player or several OF
them who give trouble by indulging
their fondness for the use Of liquor IN ex-
cess.
How weak human nature must be
among baseball players when mon of Ru-
sizes valued abilities slowly commit pro
fossional suicidel Baseball biography Is
filed with brilliant instances of men who
have sacrificed popularity, prosperity, an
extended career on the diamond and even
life itself fort the moro qualification Of
love for drink. Ramsey Deasley, Flint,
Lew Brown, Fred Lewis, Sweeney Bur
dock and scores moro whom i could name
cut short their career on the diamond be-
cause thcy would not give up the pleasures
of the cup. Even poor, genial Mike Kelly
might bo alive today sharing honors with
Anson had he not, for some years before
his career ended, given way 20 the thirst
which may be relieved, but cannot be
quenched.
Anson should bo model for every young
man who enters tho baseball profession.
For more than 20 years he has drawn good
salaries as ball player, whereas ten years
IL beyond the limit Of moro than two thirds
of the stars who rise and set. And no
one knows how many more years the vet
eran will wcar the harness Three Of his
ribs were unhinged recently by pitched
ball, but he Is on duty again with his 9TH
er side presented to the foe.
What is the secret Of Anson's baseball
longcvityY He Is temperate. 1 do not
mean temperate alone in the use Of liquors,
but otherwise Ball players, as a rule, are
incorporate In eating as well as in drink
ing. Before he goes out to play Anson
lunches Oft n bowl Of milk and crackers or
plate of soup. II can't for the life Of
me see how ball player can stuff his
stomach with everything on the bill Of
faro from clans 10 cheese two hours be-
fore game and then play ball, says the
old man. Yet that is what half of the
careless stars do. I've seen them get out
OF bcd mt IL o'clock while on the road eat
breakfast nc half past IL and AZ o'clock
throw dinner on top of the undigcsted
breakfast that would tar the waters
uemory when 1t was ordered,