Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-16
FREEOMAN'S VICTORY
National League MagnateS Bow to
New York's President.
CLEANER BALL TO Be PLAYED
Rule or Ruin Policy of Syndicate
Managers.
S z \ S ATIONS PROMISED
CLEANER BALL TO Be PLAYED
S f n ATIONS PROMISED

From the New York Journal
New York will be represented next year
by the best base ball team money can buy
provided syndicate ball and syndicate meth
DDS are eliminated from the sport. and
feel sure that the New York club will have
fair and even chance with the other clubs
in the National League. which it did not
have last season" said President Andrew
Freedman Of the New York club yesterday
The policy l adopted and carried out
during the season just past" continued Mr..
Freedman while proving unpopular with
the base bah public. still was necessary to
bring about the reforms which will be
pushed through at the league meeting in
December. The game was being conducted
unfairly to the New York club and to 9th
ers- There were owners and managers run
ming their teams on rule or ruin policy
and going to almost any extremes to win
games Such men did not have the good of
the game at heart. They were not true
sportsmen. By browbeating umpires and
by ruftianly actions on the field certain
teams were able to gain a leading position
sport.
1t was necessary to bring these parties
TO their senses, and the only way to do that
was ny touching their pockets The loss to
lhlS city last season has brought about lust
the result l foreSaw. The nol!cy | followed
has been indorsed by John T Brush and
the New York club stockholders without a
dissenting vote. and also by other National
League officials. National League affairs
VIII De in the hands of gentlemen of well
known probity and honor next season. and
decided change for the better will occur.
nave patched up the differences l had
with John T. Brush. and acknowledge it
with pleasure. 1t was made known To me
through President Soden Of the Boston
cIup that Mr.. Brush desired for the good
OF baSe ball to become on friendly terms
with me again, and we met and settled all
our differences. We are now on the most
lllehuIN terms. and VIII work in harmony
LOT the best interests Of the sport. BY Mr.
Brush and myself joining hands II was
made possible to form the most powerful
ana wealthy combination base bail has
ever mad. This consists of Presidents Trush
OF cincinnati, Soden of Boston. Rogers of
Philadelphia. Kerr of Pittsburg and myself
VINO VIII do our utmost to alb yl:sh syndics f..
baSe bail ana syndicate methods and To
eliminate from the game all those fauIts
NHlch nave done the sport so much dire
injury III the past.
certain parties who have been unduIy
prominent in the game for cheap notorIetV
and the money there is in il and consc-
quentiy with little idea of true SNORT SIN a n
snip, VIII he rclegated To the rear as will
be their rnWdy and unfair tactics II viii
De the endeaNor Of the new combination In
purify IN" sport from top to bottom Thai
the game needs it is fully appreciated and
soul in the plan.
Syndicate ball and methods have done
more Ia injure the game than awning
else ana the flrst light Will be against that
blhr. 81. Louis and Cleveland will not be
allowed - have mutual interests, nor will
Brooklyn and Baltimore
The officials of the league desire A re-
ductlon OF the circuit to eight clubs and
no 10
desired end. Just what plan will b. fol-
lowed l am not at liberty to state but there
VIII De some sensations sprung at the
league meeting. The combination | spoke
of Is working quietly, but effectively"
When asked about the new American As
ISOLATION, Mr.. Freedman said: Il do not
think any one would be foolish enough to
put money into club to be located in this
city. l feel sure that no club in the new
league will start in Greater New York"
As President Freedman is almost sure to
obtain all the concessions he may ask from
the National League it is reasonably Ger
tain that the Giants will be materially
strengthened and made worthy to represent
this big city. The league appreciates the
fact by dire and wofu experience that
New York must have a winning team, one
that could stand one, two, three through
out the season. As one prominent league
official put it: The New York club put us
all on the hog last season." and that is the
feeling of all the magnates. That President
edged, and Mr.. John 7. Brush deserves
credit as he lived up TO his reputation for
Shrewdness by making the first advances 10
the disgruntled magnate.
Consequently there will be little trouble
in President Freedman purchasing the play
ers he may want to make his team win
ming aggregation. winner in this city
means money in the pocket of every mag
bate. 1t can be stated authOritatively that
McGraw and Robinson will be the first
players to be negotiated with. They botn
say they will not leave Baltimore, where
their business is located, but without any
doubt sufficient salary would cause them
to change their minds.
McGraw in case the deal goes through,
will be appointed manager and captain,
and that alone Will carry the team to the
one. two, three class. Both Of these play
ers were offered to President Freedman last
winter by Manager Hanlon for Sl0ooO, but
the offer was refused for various reasons.
There is little doubt that Hanlon would sell
the men if he got his price.
Another player spoken OF as possibility
for the reluVenated Giants is Burkett of
the ST. Louis club. This great batter and
fielder is dissatisfied in St. Louis and de-
sires to play in the east. With these addl-
tons the Giants would be a factor IN the
race and the game at the Polo grounds
would no longer be burlesque.
The future of the Brooklyn club is caus-
ing considerable speculation. There is a
clause in the National League constitution
prohibiting more than one club in any city.
As Brooklyn is now a part of Greater New
York. the rule violated all last sum-
mer. It Is said that this point will be
raised at the next league meeting, and ef-
forts made to squeeze out the Brooklyn
club on this technically.
For a champion team the financial re-
suits in Brooklyn last season were sadly
disappointing, and there is a general i'm
preston that the club would be more pros
porous II 1t was in the new American As
ISOLATION, working in harmony with the
National League. and where a general ad-
mission Of - cents would be charged The
argument is brought forward that it was
under such auspices that the club made
eighties.