Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-12
MEEKIN's RELEASE CONDEMNED.
Too Much Syndicate Base Ball in Va
tiOnal League for Good of the Game.

The release of Pitcher Meekin by the New
York club 10 Boston has stirred up the
press Of the big metropolis and the Tribune
this morning has the following to say
about the transaction:
The announcement was made yesterday
that the New York base ball club had sold
the release of Jouett Meekin to the Bos-
ton club The announcement will create
severe criticism throughout the base ball
world. and in the opinion of some veteran
followers of the game it is one of the most
uusportsmanlike actions ever taken in pro-
feSsIonaI sport While the New York club
will lose considerable money this year on
account OF the parsimoniOus manner in
which II has been conducted, few people
thought that the management was in such
severe financial straits that it would fur her
weaken the team by disposing of even one
OF its few good players for cash.
While the local team never had a chance
II the championship race, and never will
nave 50 long as it is managed as it has
been managed the last few years, this is
the first time on record that the club man
agement has disposed of first-class player
for cash when by doing so ii would weaken
the team irreDdrably. The price paid for
the player was not disclosed yesterday
The price must have been considerable to
nave tempted Freedman to part with such
a good player.
Meekin was bought by the New York
cruz from the Washington club in the
spring Of 1894. The local management paid
Sf'so for the release of Meekin' and Far
rel. and the move proved to be one of the
best that the club ever made Meekin and
Farrell did splendid work for the club and
the team finished second in the CHAMPION
ship race, and then defeated the RaIti-
more team in four straight games. captur-
ing the Temple cup. The city was pretty
close 10 base ball crazy at the time. and
the club cleared about $4O.eaa on The sea
son. Then the unfortunate sale to certain
Tammany Hall politicians was made and
there has not been any real base ball in
New York since
But it is the syndicate aspect of the deal
which Will reject discredit on the game
In the minds of many people Professional
sport cannot long hold up under charges
OF Unfairness- As Is pretty well known
the owners of the Boston club are also
stockholders in the New York club. 1t was
mainly through the vote OF the Boston
stockholders. it is said. that Freedman was
able to have himself voted large salary
Tor managing the local club
The deal will have decided effect on
the outcome of the league chamDionsbin
struggle. With Meekin. Boston will have
another veteran pitcher with whom il will
De possible TO make an unusually strong
finish in the championship struggle With
Meekin and Nichols to alternate in the
Closing games. Boston's pennant chances
always good. have been strengthened ma
terially. With Boston's chances Increased
II means a proporJOnately poorer chance
for Brooklyn. Freedman is known to bes
no good will toward the owners Of the
Brooklyn club, and some of the followers
of the game in Brooklyn will ascrfbe the
action 70 a deliberate effort on the part
OF freedman TO deprive Brooklyn of what.
ever chance II might have had to capture
the pennant The receipts from BROOKLYN
enthusiasts at the Polo grounds hereafter
are likely TO be meager. indeed.
Meekin Is. Of course. happy at the chance
10 play elsewhere. Like Rusie and OF her good
players under reservation to the New Yorh
tiub. ne would rather play ia some Other
city, even at smaller salary Freed
mans alleged threat TO kill base hall In
realized As