The evening times., 1899-02-06
BRIGHT PROSPECTS
FOR THE LEAGUE
The Baltimore-B Brooklyn Deal
Hailed With Delight.
Much Good Will Result From the
Accomplishment of the Trade.
Necessity for the New York Team to
Strengthen ItseIf-Status of the
Other Clubs.

The accomplishment of the Brooklyn
| Baltimore deal is hailed with delight by
| all true friends of the game BY this ar
rangement it makes the League strong
where il has been weak. Being located
! in the great and populous city of New
York, with an unlimited population TO
draw from, the Brooklyn Club with the
team it has by. this deal secured, will re-
store the interest that formerly filed its
park with enthusiastic and delighted spec
tators, while the exchequers of home ard
visiting clubs will experience an expansion
from increased gate receipts.
The importance of the deal is more far
reaching than the casual observer will
understand. The rivalry between the New
York and Brooklyn clubs which has ex-
listed for many years will receive new life
and impetus, which will make ii necessary
for the owners of the New York Club TO
strengthen their team wherever possible
to do so, in order to keep the large patron
age which has so loyalty supported the
club in the past.
In other words, if the New York Club
expects to become a popular rival of the
BrCoklyns, it will be forced to get togeth-
er much stronger team than they have
had for many seasons. This deal will also
make it necessary for other clubs in the
League to strengthen up and brace their
spinal vertebra, and to this end ii is be-
lieved that many sales and deals that will
work important changes will be made be-
fore the call of play ball' is heard in
the, spring.
1t is safe to predict that the Cleveland
Club will supplant he Browns at st. Lou
tTINT tl4, g
something they have not had for MANY
years-one that will elicit the interest. en-
thusiasm. and patronage of large host
of admirers, and the crowds that made
that magnificent city famous in the !ays
of Comiskey, will return to their first love
and allegiance
The Pittsburg Clug strong aggregation
last year, has been materially strengthen
ed, and ii is claimed by owners and man
ayers that the team is one of the strong
est the city has ever known.
The Louisville club which rounded into
pennant form during the closing months
of last season, will enter the contest stron-
ger in all departments than ever before
1t has strong in and outfield and will
certainly give all comers an exciting ar
gument.
The Washington club, composed of
young and practically unknown League
material, may prove one of the surprises
of the season. The team is made up with
some of the fastest youngsters in the pro-
fession, players of acknowledged ability
and ambition, and managed by a man
whose success as a leader is admitted
throughout the country, who believes that
his present team is one of the strongest
aggregations he has ever gotten together.
II Mr.. Irwin can verify by actual results
the confidence he feels, the team will nc.
cuEy prominent place in the contest.
Aside from any local pride, uninfuenced
and unprejudiced. it is believed that the
present Washington team will prove one
OF the strongest that this city has known
for years
AS yet little is known of the make-up
OF the Baltimore team. 1t is more than
probable that McGraw will have charge of
the club and the team will be composed of
some OF the best of the Brooklyn PLAYERS
not needed by Hanlon. There will he
enough available material in both clubs
TO give Baltimore strong team. It rs be-
iieved that the deal, instead of destroving
the interest in the game in Baltimore. Will
nave an opposite effect The fans of that
city nave for so long been accustomed TO
witnessing one-sided and uninterestinR