The times., 1899-07-11
MIR. sPALp1NG,s REPLY.
He Defends the Integrity of the Ma
tional Game.

He Defends the Integrity of the Ma
tional Game.
The following letter was written by A
G. Spalding to the New York Sun" in re-
ply to an editorial recently published in
the Chicago Times Herald" alleging
crookedness in the games between Chi
cago and Brooklyn in the former city. Mr.
Spalding defends the integrity of the ma
tional game and calls on the Times Her
aid" to name the guilty parties, and
premises that their reward will be eX
pulsion from the National League. Mr..
Spalding's letter follows:
] have just read your editorial in this morning
'Sun' referring to the Chicago Times herald's'
expression of opinion that the recent baseball
games between the Brooklyn and Chicago League
teams were crooked" or. rather, that the vic
tories were apportioned between the clubs for
gate-money purposes
responsible paper like the TimesIierald'
has business making such serious charge
or insinuation unless it has some proof 10 back
il up. and | have today written TO Mr.. Kohlsaat,
proprietor Of the paper, requesting that he supply
me with reasonable proof Of the charges re-
ferred to. and | have assured him that il he can
and will supply such proof | will 20 before the
proper League officials and demand the expul-
sion of the guilty parties II Mr. Hanon. Pres-
dent OF the Brooklyn Club, and Mr.. Hart. Pres-
dent OF the Chicago Club, are guilty OF fixing
games for gate money. gambling any other
purposes they ought to be expelled from the Ma
tiona League and forever disgraced. II the UNI
pire, captains, players OF the two teams are
guilty, they will and must be punished Let's
have some reasonable proof, something than
the guess of some irresponsible reporter look
ing for a sensation.
While | am not at present actively connected
with baseball management. nor have | been for
several years, vet claim TO know something
about it, and | am a thorough believer in the
integrity of League club officials umpires, and
PLAYERS and | don't hesitate TO assert that there
has not been crooked League game played
fixed, or thrown for gambling gate-money pur-
poses since the National League expelled Devln
Hall. Craver. and Nicol in 1s7s. and | defy any
body To furnish reasonable proof 10 the contrary
The League Brotherhood fight OF 1890 settled be
yond any question the absolute honesty of League
baseball games, and | amazed that a news
paper OF the standing Of the Chicago Times
Herald should make such contemplate insinua-
tions unless it had some reasonably good proof
with which to back mp the charge
An official of baseball club cannot influence
wishes to the umpire or players, and | have
such confidence in the honesty and integrity
Of League players and umpires that | want TO
the man that has the temerity TO make any
Of them proposition to sell out or throw
game. And | am also curious TO see his photo
graph Immediately afterwaFd Like every other
well-wisher OF the national game, | regret the
existence Of the so-called rowdyism, which | be-
leve will gradually disappear, principally through
the combined efforts of the players themselves.
but the very nature OF the game itself and the
earnest desire of the players to win, inspired
by the enthusiasm of large audiences, will always
make baseball more or less ''scrappy," and quite
a contrast TO croquet and chess.
A G. sPALDING.