The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-25
OLIVER TEBRAU.

games from Cleveland to other cities Is
simply ridiculous. The move was not
made until after it was clearly illustrated
that the enthusiasts of that pretty Ohio
town would not support the team. Rob
ison showed his enthusiasm for baseball
and his love for Cleveland when he spent
his money lavishly and put team in the
field which would be an honor to any city.
1t costs money, however, to get such a
team together and to maintain it after it
has been secured. When Sunday baseball
was denied to Robson, the last straw was
broken, and there was nothing to be done
except to transfer the games and to make
the best face possible over a heavy losing
venture.
Tebeau deserves credit for keeping his
men hustling in the face of such discour-
aging support. Few other managers in
the business could have done it, for if
there is anything which will knock the
gee" out of q ball player, actor or public
character it is empty benches and lack of
appreciation. The actor is always to be
found at his best when the Standing
Room Only sign is placed in front of the
house, and the green diamond knight is
just as susceptible to applause and appre-
citation and mum bers.
The opinion seems to be pretty general
that Robson viii dispose of the Cleveland
franchise at the end of the year and retire
the franchise and will pay well for it, and
Robson win have no trouble in getting a
good price for most of his players. There
are several clubs in the east more than
anxious to secure one or two of the Cleve-
land stars New York and Brooklyn could
take about the whole team, and it would
pay them to do it. Both cities have had
about all they want of watching expert
ments with young and untried players.
The troubles in the minor LEAGUES ara
causing some of the managers and players
lots Of trouble. Many of the players can't
see where it comes in that a manager can
reduce his salary after he has contracted
to play through the season for a stipulated
sum- Still the average player would rath-
er accept reduction than to get his re-
lease at this time of the year, with small
prospects of getting another job
Still the way that some of the minor
league clubs are conducted reminds one of
the experience several years ago of Tom
Eek, the cycling manager. Eek was a firm
believer in the bicycle in those days, but
did not have many followers. He con
ceived that a six days race at Madison
Square Garden would be just the thing
to pack the immense amphitheater for a
week during the winter. Having con-
ceived the idea, Eek started on the rounds
to get the necessary capital. Men with
money, however, could not see it in that
light, and Eek was just becoming discour-
aged when he decided upon a bold scheme.
He went to the Garden management and
made deal, and then he looked around
for attractions. He got them from all over
the world, and the show was opened 1t
was success from the start and Eck's
share put him on Easy street for many a
day. Eek ran that show on $3.50, every
cent that he had in the world 1t was a
bold stroke, Of course but he got through
with it.
Probably some of the minor league man
ayers and promoters have more money
than that, but the manner in which they
begin to howl as soon as the attendance
drops off would lead one to think that their
golfers were none too heavy when they as
sumed the burden of carrying a team
through the playing season. There was
case IN point in New Jersey recently. The
players of team refused to play because
their salaries had not been paid. They
were treated like pirates and were thrown
aside and other players were engaged.
Those men had earned their salaries and
were entitled to them, and to be held I'D
as ingrates and loafers was an Injustice
and a shame. A promoter who cannot
pay what he contracts for is a person who
should be put out of the business There
has been entirely too much dependence
placed on paying prizes and salaries out of
the gate receipts in this country, and the
practice should be discouraged. The base
ball magnates could learn something from
the League Of American Wheelmen rules
In this respect. A promoter who does not
live up to his contracts and pay the prizes
offered is suspended until he does nav
them.
The re-signing Of Jack Doyle BY the
New York club is another illustration of
Row baseball has been conducted in the
metropolis for the last few years Dovle