The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-09-03


WHO Is twirling tho sphere i'll such great form
for the Baltmores.
ness, representing an equal number OF
cities. Besides there arc almost as many
moro organized into state and sectional
leagues, while tho amateur and scmipro-
fcssional clubs, which arc located all over
the Union, will run up into tho hundreds,
if not thousands.
Up to the 18th of August tho so and
moro clubs controlled by the national
agreement had played 2, SOS championship
games. These clubs employ 700 players,
whose combined salaries will foot up tho
enormous sum Of 81, 900, 900. Who will say
that the American people are not willing
to pay bountifully for sport which they
know to he honest and on the level?
Baseball us n business, however, is not a
sinecurc Tho game is uncertain, and the
stars are moro than uncertain. There is
no living civilized being so hard to con-
troll MS the average baseball player. The
New York and Boston clubs have c=am-
pies of that truism this season. Insubor-
dination and intempcrancc have put both
clubs out of the pennant race just as they
wero entering into the closing games at
homo, by which money should DO made.
These indiscrctions of the stars have cost
their clubs many thousands of dollars
1t is no secret that the great Rusic, by
an inordinatc use of liquor during this
season, has lowered his usefulness and de-
stroycd whatever chance the New Yorks
may have had to win. Earlier III tho
season, while at Baltimore he was fined
500 for dissipation, and for II time no put
check upon his appetite. Lately he fell
again, and his club practically dropped
out of tho race But he is not alone in
that respect. Nearly every club of the
major League has n player or several Of
them who give trouble by indulging
their fondncss for the use of liquor in cx-
cess.
How weak human nature must be
among baseball players when men of Ru-
sizes valued abilities slowly commit pro-
fcssional suicide Baseball biography is
filled with brilliant instances of men who
have sacrificed popularity, prosperity, an
extended career on the diamond and even
lilo itself for the mere qualification of n
love for drink Ramsey, Deaslcy. Flint.
Lew Brown, Fred Lewis, Sweeney, Bur
dock and scores more whom could name
cut short their career on the diamond be-
cause they would not give up tho pleasures
OF the cup. Even poor, genial Mike Kelly
might DC alive today sharing honors with
Arson had he not, for some wears before
his career ended, given way to tho thirst
which may be relieved, but cannot be
quonchcd.
Arson should DO model for every Young
man who enters tho baseball profession.
For ...ogc tiir 90 years he has drawn good
salaries as a bail player, whereas ten years
is beyond tho limit Of more than two-thipds
of the stars who rise and set And NO
one knows how many more years the vet.
eran will wear the harness. Three Of his
ribs were unhingcd recently by Il pitched
ball, but he is on duty again with his 9TH
er side presented To the foe.
Whct is &c scofat of Anson's baseball
ionsevitys He IS temperate. / do not
mcan terW-g..t one in The asc of liquors
but otherwise. Ballplaycrs, us rule, ar,
Incorporate in eating as well ms in drink
ing. Before he goes out to play Ansor
lunches off bowl of milk and crackers OF
plate Of soup. 81 can't for the life OF
me SEQ how ball player can stuff hi.
stomach with everything on the bill OF
fare from clans to cheese two hours be
fore game and then play ball." says tn,
old man. Yet that is what half of til,
careless stars do. I've seen them get out