Evening star., 1899-03-09

today, but men OF his cat1ber- are not IN
such great demand as they were some
seasons back Should Griffin be released
outright many clubs would Immediately bid
for him account of his reputation and
drawing ability but from present indica-
tions Manager Hanlon will have to cut his
figures in twain before he will find buyer.
1t would be money we'll spent for the
league body to purchase Griffins re-
lease and present him to the New York
club, as he would strengthen that aggre-
cation wonderfully.
IF those tresome, 'egotistical owners of
base ball teams. by mistaken courtesy cali
ed magnates, would only abandon the
base ball stage and 'give the players-in
whom the American public is nterested-a
chance to get into the ealciumed circle, how
would be- writes weil-known western
base ball reporter.
Some people mostly base ball-steeped
reporters club managers and the magnates
themselves, seem to think their meetings
and sessions. their dongs and sayings of
tremendous Importance, and that the entire
country hangs upQR their lips. Doubtless
the fate of base ball.. tai some extent. de-
pends upon these ipgaied fellows yet if the
doors of the meeting room We're thrown
open to the public and5A warm and most
important session lof the National League
promised. how mann persons outside of re-
porters, players, HapagsTs and others init
mately associated With and directly inter-
ested in base ball. would attend such con-
vention? Not one ftundfbd. 1t is the play
er in whom the pe6pte|are interested. They
care very little about amendments to rules;
indeed. not one in eFerys1ifty spectators at
base ball game knows the rules in any
thing like thorough fashion. Many of the
players do. not. But that does not initiate
against the intense interest taken in the
game by the people.CwhG make it profitable
to the magnates. Gp- dawn the line of the
grand stand and bleachers any day in the
season and ask every man you meet who
owns this club or THAT. How many correct
PIrt asly n To,
name the pitchers l9f that club. Ten to one
he Will not only know their names but their
averages, their strength and weakness, and
everything else connected with them Per-
sonauy. the writer considers it waste of
valuable newspaper space to print anything
about what the magnates do or do not do
Printing schedules in full. committee re-
ports. amendments to rules etc. is seem
lngly a great waste of good space in a
newspaper They are like congressional
manifestation read and never remem-
bered But the magnates seem to think
that they are the entire show. As matter
of fact, they doing the game and
through it themselves, irreparable injury.
Receiver Muckinfuss of the St Louis
Base Ball Club said yesterday that Brush
and Robson would probably arrive in that
city today. according to a special from the
mound city. Muckinfuss claims that Beck
er Will be the successful bidder for the
Browns and that Robson will come to an
agreement with him Immediately after the
o6iit. w liH lne sale OF the 81. Louis clut
less than week away interest begins to
stimulate. and conferences are being held
daily with lawyers as to the best way to
pursue in the matter. The action of the
league does not seem to have had much eff
feet on the prospective bidders. Won der
Abe is daily caller at his attorneys office.
and whether he intends to take any hand
IN the sale all parties concerned refuse to
state. The pool-room syndicate has be-
come very aggressive and confident. and
have given out the statement that the par
ties who buy the club will have to make
some pretty stiff bids before securing the
property.
The many friends of Secretary Robert
Young in the National League did not for
get that last night he was to take an i'm
portant step in life in entering the role of
bcnedicts. The members of the Washing
ION club came forward with handsome
set of French china the Philadelphia team
forwarded handsome clock and beauti-
ful set of gold and enamel candelabra,
while the Cincinnati boys expended their
money lavishiy upon. several handsome
nan in base ball circles but the little time
he has been in harness has demonstrated
bis congenial disposition and friendship
making proclivities.
The Cincinnati papers are still harping on
the report that Catcher Mcclure will play
IN IN mat city the coming season. Ren Null
lord, IN the Commercial-Tribune, says that
Mcclure will receive a royal reception in
Cincinnati as the enthusiasts of that city
hei1eVe him to be about the finest catcher
IN the business. Mcguire has always had
luck when playing in Cincinnati with, the
washington club, his hitting being ire
mendous and his fielding of the most sensa-
tionai order. and it is only natural for the
people OF the queen city to desire "Old Re-
liable on the Reds pay roll.
Present indications are that Jimmy Casey
VIII VIII play p third base. for the Washington
cluD the coming iS 1,nfo
nate fact that Casey's, work on the third
sack on the local grounds has been far from
satisfactory, but while away from home the
payers all speak in the highest terms of
hs hst ht6e 1be lone, ones pIaying It is now claimed
base, is out of kelter-has been kicked at by
such I ., eraek-a-jacks as Collins and McGraw-
before the season speni io It I Is Manager Ia t fr h
wins intention to surround Casey with all
the advantages possible and to give him a
tnorough uying-orf at third base before
placing d ,I "a; drag dout for another player
to M that position. Casey has already be-
Il. fa II ic ~