New-York tribune., 1900-08-12

est in the game is probably great that taken
in any other sport in this country to-day. The
game has received many hard knocks through
silly legislation and sQuabbes between players
and club owners. but the game goes on the even
tenor Of its way, attracting goodly attendance
all over the country. The Introduction of Freed
manism into the game has undoubtedly injured
the sport all the country, and especially in
this neighborhood. The old time enthusiasts
| however, continue to hope that Croker will be-
| fore long order his lieutenant Freedman to re-
| tire from the New York Club, and with any sort
| of decent sportsmanlike management at the
| Polo Grounds the game would prosper as Of old.
| But while the conditions are deplorable in this
| borough, with the team a hopeless tailender in
the race for the pennant, over in Brooklyn just
| the reverse order of affairs exists. Brooklyn
has a team of which its citizens are justly proud
A liberal management has provided a team for
! the City of Churches which is not excelIed by
any IN the country There those who believe
| that the present Brooklyn team Is about the
finest aggregation of baseball players ever seen
| together in one team In this country The team
won the championship easily last year and it
| ought to win almost easily this season. and
will do SO barring serious accidents to some of
it's best players. There a time when Dame
Fortune played a large part in the annual base
ball struggle, but luck is not so conspicuous
| figure in pennant races to-day 1t was ten
years ago Io-day science has taken the place
of smuggling, and with the conditions as they are
luck is not such important factor.
The champions play bali in all departments OF
the game, and that is the reason why the team
across the river so frequently turns apparent
defeat into a victory. With a team like that in
Brooklyn defeat is never administered until the
last man has beer retired in the final inning
The men play together like clOckwork While
the management Of the New-York Club was
looking around for gift players last winter and
spring those in charge of the Brooklyn Club
were hustling with plenty of ready cash purchas-
ing the releases or any players who gave promise
Of strengthening the team. HanIOn is q baseball
general of the first class and he IS worth all of
the salary he receives In Brooklyn. If the $4,000
palG 10 Andy freedman were withdrawn and
the amount spent in purchasing the services of
good players and manager, what a different
team Iammany Han could put into the field in
this borough. But Freedman, who cares nothing
FOR the game, is not in the sport for his health
ana those who have watched his ca reer of de-
structiOn for the last few years realize that he
Will not give up his sinecure until after he has
sucked the lemon dry been kicked out by his
boss Croker.
Joseph McGnnity, the iron man and pitcher
has done excellent service for the chamDIons
TINS year He Is steady and reliable and is ready
70 go into the fray whenever he is called upon
He has plenty of speed, good control and fine
judgment of pace. Howell, Kitson Weyhing ana
Kennedy will help him out in the twirIing de-
partment The club has in Mcclure and Farrell
two OF the veteran CatChers of the league There
are no better men in uniform and thew are n
tower or strength to the club in steadylng Young
pitchers. In Jennings, DAILY. Dahlen and Cross
hftters baserunners and f1elders of the best and
| When hit gets past any OF them 1t is well
earned by the batsman. The outheld is just as
| strong in keeler, Jones and Kelley There js
| no better trio of outfelGers in the league
| Charles H. Ebbets, the president of the club L.
! earnest and painstaking and deserves the sue
| cess he has met with in his baseball career The
club has splendid substitutes In DeMontreviIie
and Sheckard.