The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-15
WHAT PLAYERS COST
SOME INTERESTING FIGURES GIVEN
OUT BY PRESIDENT YOUNG.
Grand Rapids Got SLIGO from Pitts
burg for Gore-Manning Got $1,000
Each for Hastings and Bergen.

but as the season is at hand, snow or no
snow, 1t becomes a necessity to keep the
national game prominently before the peo-
pie. The players will be here next week,
ready for their preliminary months work.
Motz and Mccarthy are still holding out
for more money than has been offered,
but they will not get it. They are likely
to report next week just the same and
talk the situation over. Each Claims to be
in good condition and ready for business.
1t will not take long for these two men and
the club management TO get together when
once they arrive on the ground. Two weeks
from tomorrow the first game will be
played, and then some idea can be gained
of the form the various players are in
Tomorrow Is the day set for the dissat-
isfied minor league magnates to meet in
Washington, d. c., and kick at the Ma
tional Leagues policy. The kick will do no
good, but it may relieve the pent-up feel
ings of President Hickey, the fre-eating
head of the Western Association, and Pres
ident Johnson, Of the Western League, who
is not far behind Hickey in his dislike for
the big league. but who is a triie more dis
Greet in his utterances. President Nick
Young regards the feeble and foolish move
&@@NNN WIZ AaAALC III LII Oil III OA
the subject last week he said:
II have here in my drawer as much
money TO be paid the minor leagues for
dropped and released players as all the
tection ' last yea n Here 1 eo are Checks paaa f lGf gro BFSo
that the Louisville Club is to pay for re-
leases and drafts. And here are the Wag-
ners' checks for $1,000 that the Providence
Club receives for Rogers and McAuley.
Here you have a check for $700 represent
ing the purchase of Harper's release from
pnnhAafor ~ D.A4lrTxv- Wit 2h4oIr go e-nl
pays for Mains release from the Lewiston
Club, of the New England League. by Bos-
ton. Grand Rapids, of the Western League,
gets N.75o from Pittsburg for pitcner Gore.
And here is a check for $1,000 that Manning,
OF Kansas City receives for pitcher Hast
ings. Manning also gets $1,000 from Boston
for catcher Bergen. Now, in the face of all
these payments. why do these league kick
ers howl over the protection price? Why,
the price, $1,75O, paid by Pittsb1rg for Gore
alone is almost three times the amount that
the Western League. in its entirety, paid for
protection, which is only $500. The Roches-
SEQ for Harper. or nS: 500 maeus than na'e that
league pays the National League for its
membership, under the national agreement.
In short, the National League pays the
minor leagues S. in the drafting and release
OF players to the 81 paid for protection by
these minor leagues. If the minor leagues
were deprived Of this protection, and each
of them conducted without any law or
agreement, what would result? Why, play
ers would switch from club to club, and
lullOuc COlnpCllllOu WOulu DOOSl dldIleS 50
high that collapse would surely follow.
These minor leagues who want to break
away from the national agreement have a
perfect right to do so. That is their great
American privilege. The National League
is not begging minor leagues to come in
OUT OF the ram fernaps a taste OF snlItlnS
a bitter experience that would result in
their being mighty glad to return to the ma
tional agreement"
The Western League. as an organization.
ronfC nnfhfn~ IN IL NTH onrr 0ya.oaV
looking to breaking away from the national
agreement. President Johnson understands
the feeling perfectly, though ne appears to
be in sympathy with such movement. The
best interests of the Western League should
keep him away from Washington this week.
if the proposed meeting is held there.
Hansen is holding off, and indianapolis
may be without the services of this West
ern Association man the coming season.
1t isn't at all a question of money with
him. but simply a desire to pay another
season in the Western Association. That
Hansen should hesitate between a chance
for fame with the champions and another
surprising. There certainly is as much
money in IL for him here, and if he pitches
the sort Of ball he has the reputation for
the National League will be yearning for
him in another year. Perhaps Hansen's
nerve is failing him at the prospect of a
League this season. He will no doubt re-
cover it by April 1.
Hogan may wear an Indianapolis uniform
next season, though Manager Watkins
thinks Conner a better all-around player.
Still. Marty is fast on the bases and COW
ers lots Of ground in the field, if he doesn't
hit the ball hard. If Hogan had Hogriever's
parva and c1fAin0 nropanrftu mana of ~.
catchers could, nail him at second. He
would be a wonder on the bases. AS it is,
he Is often caught because he dis.ikes to
slide. When a player is reluctant to take
chances on the ground in stealing a base
he handicaps his -base-running very serious
ly. Although Hogan stole a good many
bases last season he would have had a WON |
derful record had he been fearless in the
matter OF sliding. He is popular here, and
there would be much satisfaction were he
to sign again with Indianapolis, or, rather.
II a deal could be made with st. Louis for
him.
With Stewart coaching at first this sea- |
son and Hogriever over at third, many a
pitcher in the Western League will feel
that he is earning his salary. Both men
have voices about as musical as a saw
mill. Indianapolis crowds remember vivid
ly how aggravating it was two years ago
to listen to the warwhoops Of these two
Sioux City hustlers, especially when the
score was close and nerves were easily
shaken. Many a man has sworn, both in
wardly and outwardly, at these two-the
champion coachers OF Watkins's hampton
team. 1t will be different this season. Their
voices will be sweet music to the ears of
the occupants OF grandstand, boxes and
bleachers.
Speaking of coaching, there Is a general
desire his season to rear Fred Roat do
something in this line at home. He is
famous on the road as a coacher, and they
say his voice can be heard a mile away
when he gets warmed up to his work. At
home he never lifts 1t, no matter how ex-
citing the game. The champions need
some one of the old guard to take Chauncey
Fishers place on the line. Now, if Roat
will only come TO the front, Fishers voice
will not be missed. Roat can coax the
bleachers on in just as good shape as Fish
er, If he will only start right.
The opening game at the Kansas City
ball park this season will be on March q,
when the Kansas City players will be d-
vided into I'VE teams and play an exhibit
ton game. Manager Manning has decided
to present ten season passes to the ten
women guessing nearest the aggregate at
tendance at last seasons ball games, in
which the Blues took part, both at home
and abroad, and including both champion-