The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-20

Manager McGraw. backed by the
Baltimore press and public, forced the
members of the syndicate which con-
trolls the Orioles to live up to their
promise not to run that team as a side
show to their Brooklyn club. All the
cards which Mr.. Won Der Horst may
issue and all the explanations which
Mr. Hanlon may give, will not satisfy
the public that the Demont-Nops-Jen-
nings trade was not a departure from
the policy which these gentlemen and
their associates solemnly declared
would be followed in the operation of
their two clubs. Aside from the syndi-
cate feature the deal was not so bad
for Baltimore. Jennings days as a
ball player are not over and he has
large following in the Monumental City,
where he made his reputation. De-
mont's habits are not what they should
be and Nops is equally unreliable. Man
ager McGraw made his fight and won
because principle was involved He
had been promised by the owners of
the club, which under his management
has developed unexpected strength, not
only that none of his players would be
taken away from him, but that his eff
forts to strengthen his team would
meet with their most cordial co-opera-
ton. He had engineered a good deal
with the Chicago club for Demont an
declined to part with that player and
protested against being deprived of the
services" of Nops, whom he considers,
when in condition, the best left-handed
pitcher of the period. With the press
and public of Baltimore siding with the
Orioles manager, the syndicate did not
dare to carry out their purposes and
the trade was declared off. The Ma
tional league must rid itself of syndi-
cate ball to retain the confidence of the
nngDDTtS-
manlike and breeds suspicion. The
transfer of players between the It.
Louis and Cleveland clubs has caused
comparatively little criticism through
out the country, and no concern N
Cleveland because there is neither pride
or interest in the game in that city.
Conditions are different in Baltimore.
The success of the orioles has earned
them larger and more loyal home
following than the Hanlonites had in
1897 or 1895 This revival of interest
would have been followed by return
to the era of Indifference, which result
ed in the Baltimore Brooklyn deal, had
the syndicate succeeded in switching
players between the teams. Nc
Graws arguments We're, it is said. ac-
Companied by threats of retirement in
case he was overruled and he had the
assurance that Captain Robinson would
act in concert with him. Hanlon and
strengthen the Brooklyn club at any
such cost to their Baltimore plant and
the scheme was sidetracked. McGraw
and Robinson We're the only parties to
the transaction who came. out of 1t
with credit.
The release of Pitcher Meekin by the
New York club to Bostnn has stirred
up the press of the big metropolis and
the Tribune has the following to say
about the transaction: -a ,It
The announcement that the New
York baseball club had sold the release
of Jouett Meekin to the Boston club
will create severe criticism throughout
the baseball world, and in the opinion
of some veteran followers of the game
it is one of the most unsportsmanlike
actions ever taken in professional sport.
While the New York club will lose con-
siderable money this year on account
of the parsimonious manner in which
it has been conducted. few people
thought that the management was in
such severe financial straits that 1t
would further weaken the team by dis
posing of even one of its few good
players for cash.
While the local team never had a
chance in the championship race, and
never will have so long as 1t is man
aged as it has been managed the last
few years. this is the first time on rec
ord that the club management has dis
posed of first class, player for cash
when by doing so 1t would weaken the
team irreparably. The price paid for
the player was not disclosed yesterday.
The price must have been considerable
to have tempted Freedman to part with
such a good player.
Meekin was bought by the New York
club from the Washington club in the
spring, of 1894. The local management
paid $500 for the release of Meekin
and Farrell. and the move proved to
be one of the best that the club ever
made. Meekin and Farrell did splen-
did work for the club. and the team
finished second in the championship
race, and then defeated the Baltimore
team in four straight games, capturing
the Temple cup. The city was pretty
close TO baseball crazy at the time,
and the club cleared about $4,000 on
the season. Then the unfortunate sale
to certain Tammany Hall politicians
was made, and there has not been any
real baseball in New York since.
But it is the syndicate aspect of the
deal which will reflect 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 stock
holders, il Is said, that Freedman was