The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-04

May I3. IL 1t-"THE PRlsONfk OF LENDh'
ments upon his methods, his team and his
own playing But underneath these merry
jeers lies "a strong foundation of admiration
and love for the man who has been cen
tral figure I'm baseball in that city for 81
years. In all of those 2l years there Is not
10 be found one dishonorable act or ques-
tionablc transaction In a. G. Ansons con-
nection with the national game. His ad.
vent into Chicago was the personification
OF honor. 1t was AT time when ball play.
ers had little regard for their contracts
Anson was member of the Athletics OF
Philadelphia when he was persuaded to
transfer his services 20 the Chicago club,
and he signed memorandum TO that end,
only 20 regret 10 Immediately. His sweet
heart, the lady who Is still his sweetheart.
though she has been his wife for n score OF
years, lived in Philadelphia and she urged
him not TO 90 10 Chicago and leave her.
Swayed by her pleading, Arson hurried
away TO the Illinois metropolis week be-
fore reporting time and plead with tho
president Of the club. William A. Hubert,
for release. Hubert would not grant 10.
Finally Auson offered 81 900 cash TO be
absolved from his bond, and that was re-
fused. There was no punishment then for
breaking a baseball contract and the dis
honest practice was very freely INDUCED.
But, though young Apson valued his privi-
lege of staying In Philadelphia at 81 900.
he was too honorable TO break his word
and smirch his honor even at that price
He threatened TO do IL; even said goodby
10 Hubert and started for the depot as
"bluff" The bluff didn't work and this
man who has been an honor To baseball for
n quarter Of "a century reluctantly submit
ted to his dilemma and began the career
which Chicago is at this late day about TO
flttingly recognize. A meeting Of promi-
nent promoters of baseball was recently
held in that city at which steps were taken
% present the Gladstone Of the game with
silver service at the opening League
game on the home clubs grounds. The
tribute comes bit late, but it is all the
more deserved.
Now, If Cincinnati has any emulating
pride, its chief rootC"s Will in some similar
way fittingly acknowledge the long, hon
orable and faithful services OF John A.
McPhec for their club. This will be the
great second base man sixteenth consecu-
tive season IN Cincinnati club uniform.
He and Arson stand alone in the way OF
long and consecutive club service. Like
Anson, McPhee's whole career has been
unblemished.
The action of Short Stop Tommy Cor
eoran, exchanged by the Brooklyns for
Smith and Fisher of the Cincinnatis. In
holding out for more salary attracts gen.
eral attention. He holds the key to Gin
cinnati's intcld. and no doubt realized
his advantage when he refused TO report on
April ID and sign n contract. The in
stances in which players have sacrificed q
seasons salary rather than play for what
was offered are. believe, three. Joyce,
captain manager Of the New Works, lay
idle one season rather than play In Wash
ington for what he considered was less
than his services were worth Lovett OF
Brooklyn demanded $500 more than the
Brooklyn club offered, which was S2, 100.
and sacrificed the whole by staying out OF
the game the entire season. The third
case was that of RusiC, which has just
come to an agreeable ending
There will be one more test made this
season to verify or weaken the belief that
a player who carries on an outside bust
ness while he plays ball cannot play up TO
his usual standard Robinson and Nc.
Graw of the Baltimores have recently
opened a"place" in that city, In which
they have invested $500 Previous un
dertakings of that kind have all resulted
In the inferior work Of the investor. IL
ruined Mccarthy as n player and Duffy,
his partner, wisely drew out Of the firm.
Among those who have tried the expert
ment TO the dctriment Of their playing are
Mullane, Latham, Kelley. Gore, keefe,
Morris, Hecker and Pfeffer. A player 5
mind must be wholly upon his baseball
work, else the latter Is bound To suffer. We
shall soon sec how baseball playing and the
saloon business mix for the two important
members OF the champion team.
Anson recently offered DahlCn 800 cash
rs an inducement for the latter 10 give ny
the smoking of cigarettes. Uncle Adrian
told me last ycav that excessive use OF
cigarettes. he feared. was breaking down
his great short stop, and he declared IL
would destroy any player who was addict
ed TO the habit, as it had already put n
dozen or more promising stars out of the
business. He Is sincere in his belief be
cause he was compelled To quit using ci
gars seven years ago in order 10 preserve
his "batting eye" There is pointer
from the premier Of the game upon which
IL might be well for aspiring young play.
ers 10 act
While at Hot Springs n fortune teller in
formed Anson that the Chicngos would wiz
the pennunt this year. But Anse refused
the seer her fee upon the ground that any
dnged fool knew as much. What he
wanted was 10 find out something he