New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-12
MEEKIN SOLD TO BOSTON.
THE NETWORK CLUB SEVERELY CRIT.
ICISED FOR THIS.

FREEDNANs ACTION CHARACTERIZED Al INC
sPoRTsMANLIKE-THE TRICK MAY DEPRIVE
BROOKLYN OF CHANCE TO WIN
THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
The announcement was made yesterday that the
New-York Baseball Club hal sold the release OF
Jouet Meekin to the Boston Club. The announce
ment will create criticism Throughout the
baseball world. and the opinion Of some veteran
followers OF the game 81 Is one Of the most un-
spor,smanlike actions ever taken IN PROFESSIONAL
sport. While the New-York club will lose consid-
cradle money this year on account OF the par
sImonious manner in which It has been con-
Quoted few people thought that the management
was in such severe financial straits that II would
further weaken the team by disposing OF even ONO
Of its few good players for cash
While the local team never had chance in the
championship race and never VIII have so ions
as II Is managed as Il has been managed the
last few years this Is the first time record that
the club management has disposed o. first class
player for cash when by doing so II would weaken
the team irreparably The price paid for the player
was not disclosed yesterday. The price must have
been considerable 10 have tempted Freedman 10
part with such good player
Meekn was bought by the New-Y0rk club from
the Washington club in the spring Of isfi The
local management paid $3.50 for the release OF
Meekin and Farrell and the move proved 70 ne one
OF the best that the club ever made. M>ekin AMI
Farrell did splend a work for the club. ana mo
team finished second I'm Tho championship race.
and then defeated the Baltimore team in four
straight games capturing the Temple Cup. The
city was pretty close baseball crazy AZ the time.
and the club cleared about $4,000 on tho season.
Then the unfortunate sale 20 certain Tammany
Hall politicians was made and there has not been
any real baseball IN Nev-York since.
But II - the syndicate aspect ~ the deal which
will reflect dscredit the game in The minds Of
many people Professional sport cannot long hold
Up under charges ~ unfairness. As Is pretty well
known. the owners Of the Boston club also
stockholders in the New-Yorl Ub II was mainly
through the vote OF the Boston stockholders. II Is
said that Freedman was able 70 have himself
voted A large salary for managing the local club.
The deal will have decided effect the out
come ~ the League championship struggle. With
Meekin Boston will have another veteran pitcher
With whom IL will be possible 70 make unusual
- strong finish in the championship struggle. With
Meekin and Nichols alternate In the closing
games Boston's pennan. chances. always good.
have been strengthened materially With Bostons
chances increased It means proportionafey
poorer chance for Brooklyn. Freedman Is known
10 bear no goodwill toward the owners ~ the
Brooklyn club and some OF the followers NJ TIE
game in Brooklyn will ascribe the action 20 Z
deliberate effort on the part ~ Freedman 70 de-
prive Brooklyn % whatever chance II might have
had 70 capture the psnnant. The receipts from
BROOKLYN enthusiasts A. the Polo Grounds hsre-
after are likely 70 be meagre indeed
Meekin is OF course. happy az the chance 10 play
elsewhere Like Rusie and oths- good PLAYER:
under reservation 70 the New-York club he would
rather plav in some other city. even az smaller
salary Freedman's alleged threat 10 Kill baseball
in New-York seems IN fair way ~ being reaiised'