The times., 1899-02-12
BASEBALL GOSSIP.
Notes OF the Game. the Hagnatcs and
the Players.

the Players.
Writers and fans are of the opinion that
the New York Club. to hold its prestige
and patronage. will be forced to add
several stars to their galaxy of players, as
Brooklyn is now a rival entitled to pro-
found consideration. The question natur-
ally arises. Where can these stars be OBJ
tained?. 1t is no longer question OF money
The time for the purchase of this kind CT
material has passed. The market is short
on this product. The different clubs have
organized their teams and no one has
thoroughbred that he will sell. Mr.. Freed
man could have obtained some players that
would have materially strengthened his
team. but he persistently refused all over
lures. His pitching stan could not easily
be improved. In Rusie. Meekin. Seymour
and Doheny. he has the cream of the
pitching profession. The infield, however,
is in sad need OF repairs, especially at
first and third base and in the bIckstOp
department. The Outfield also is in need
of reinforcement. Van Haitren is about
the only reliable man in the outer garden.
Mike TiernGn is an uncertain quantity,
and even il he shows up in good eondi-
tion in the spring it is not certain he will
play with the team. There was a vacancy
at left field all last season, which must be
filled by some clever artist to make .
complete and strong outfield. Therefore.
it is evident that the New York Club needs
a first and third baseman. one or two back
stops, and two outfielders. and they must
all be artists in order TO put the club i'll
the first division. Where is this material
to be obtained?
The following players of the Louisville
Club have signed contracts for next sea-
son: Fred Clarke, G.. E. Waddell. and Ere!
Hartzell. Clarke, as predicted by The
Times came down out of the clouds and
signed at last years figure.
Now that Tom Brown has concluded ar
rangements to manage and play with the
Springfield Club OF the Eastern League
he will at once leave for his new field of
duty. Tom leaves a host OF friends here
who wish him good luck ard success.
'Mugsey" McGraw has a very exalted
opinion of himself. both personally and
professionally. He thinks that his scry-
ices as manager and player of the new
team to be put in Baltimore are worth
$500. 1t is not stated that he also de-
manded thirty days leave of absence with
pay in addition. If McGraw will guarau-
tee that he can pull the team through the
season without financial loss Hanlon may
give his proposition serious consideration.
Otherwise there is liable to be a majority
report against the proposition.
Bancroft. business manager of the Gin
cinnat Club. is greatly delighted with
Columbus. Ga. training station for his
club. He says the grounds are beyond the
reach of spring foods. The climate IS dry
and warm and the inhabitants OF the city
all fans. The hotel accommodations are
excellent and the only drawback is that the
club will have to play on a skinned dia-
mond. New Orleans being the only city in
the south having Il grass diamond. Arthur
Irwin goes to Hampton especially for the
reason that he can play on Il grass field,
believing that practice on a skinned dia-
mond will prove a handicap TO the players
when they return to a grass field.
The temperance question IS about to
enter the politics of baseball. The intem-
peTate side of the proposition has been
before the public for many years. There
fore it is pertinent TO the question that the
temperance proposition should have its
inning. Ii is not believed that the League
will enact any sumptuary laws at its spring
meeting but will leave the matter wholly
in the hands OF the individual clubs. Mr.
Brush has taken the initiative. and has
inserted a temperance clause in all con-
tracts. 1t does not strike us that there is
anything unreasonable i'll this. MIR. Brush