The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-08
TEE BASEBALL OUTLOOK
Hugh Jennings on the Reduction of
The League Circuit.
Action Of the MaGuatcs Not in Hnr-
moHy with sound Business Prin-
His Probable Transfer to Phiiadei-
phia and Matters of Interest.

J In an interview with Times reporter
with reference TO the present baseball out
| look Hugh Jennings said that the situa-
! ton is a peculiar one from the stancp int
| Of an outsider unacquainted with League
! methods or motives, that seemed 10 in
! spire the magnates in their recent aston
in reducing the League membership. 1t
/ seeed TO him. said Jennings, that the ac-
! ton taken was not in harmony with sound
! business principles or actuated by a wise
ard prudent consideration Of the conii-
! tons confronting them.
| While the reduction Of the League mem
! bership might and likely would, result in
more satisfactory financial results for the
time being. yet in the end he thinks il
will inevitably result in financial disaster,
! if not the maguates' overthrow as national
mentors of the game. The people Of the
country in jennings opinion, are becom-
! ing tired Of trusts and bosses, wherever
these evils prevail. and the man or COM
| bination of men who seek to establish a
( monopoly of the business Of the national
/
shah not have an opportunity to witness
these professional contests will find tat
they are up against public sentiment that
will drive them out of the business.
When asked with reference to the rumor
that he would probably play with the Phil
adelphia Club, Jennings said:
Il think I could go to Philadelphia under
my services OF such value that he has
turned a deaf ear to all oyertures or pro-
positions made him by that club, and this
is what makes me sore | have always
been a friend to Ed Hanlon and We are
friends today. l have given him and the
club he represents my best work during
the best years OF my life. which l am
sure he has appreciated. as is evidenced
by the prohibitiye price he puts upon my
services. Yet / think l have earned a
promotion and if Hanlon is not in condition
to offer it TO me he ought not to stand in
the way of my ambition, which all will
admit is 2 laudable one
1T is not altogether a matter OF dollars
and cents with me-there is sentiment
that all professional ball players feel who
have made reputation in the business
that is common in all avocations OF Iife-to
advance and reach the limit of their posi-
bilities. Just what / shall do / have not
yet decided fully l will not, however
be out of the game. My present employ
ment with the Cornell Club is not only
pleasant. but satisfactorily remunerative
and I can remain where | am for the full
season. An additional inducement for me
10 remain with them is. that / would have
the advantage OF collegiate instruction In !
the way OF lectures and otherwise that will |
be of great advantage to me"
When asked his opinion as to the status I
Of Robinson and McGraw with reference to !
the st. Louis Club, he said:
Il have not talked TO the boys for a long
time and the only thing know or can /
think about it, is what l see in the news |
papers, which you know are not always I
Robbie and McGraw are men OF I
good judgment, with business instincts Of /
a high order. and in my opinion ] do not I
believe they Will turn down the very fiat 1
tering offer that has been made them. /
which will add $500 to McGraws ex.
chequer, and about 81. 0OO to that Of Rob /
bic. know l would not. nor do I believe .
they will. Yet they are very determined /
when they make up their minds
In speaking Of the new playing rules, /
Jennings believes that the adjustment of
the double umpire system will prove a
eight-club Organization. where the teams
are more evenly matched in playing
strength and the games will be more holly
and stubbornly contested. One umpire
cannot properly judge a close play on any
Of the bases from his position behind the
bat or pitcher and contentious and dis
order upon the bali field which it has
been contendei were a serious detriment 10
the pleasure OF the sport, viii increase
fourfold.
In speaking Of the reserve rule" be
said that was necessary, and was the sal
walton of the game, and no intelligent bali
player Will object to it. There is one
clause however, that he thinks is unjust
and unfair. and ought to be amended. That
is the sale or transfer OF player. In Jen-
nings' opinion the player should be con-
suited and his consent obtained, and he
should not be forced to go with a club
that. for some personal, private reason.
was obnoxious to him. Besides. said Jen
nings the system is wrong in principle
and establishes a serfdOm that is repug-
nant to American citizenship.
Hughey thinks the pennant this year
will be between the Boston and Brooklyn
clubs. with St Louis a close third, pro-
yided McGraw and Robinson should play
with that team. Brooklyn he said. was
not as strong as were the old Orioles, but
he believed IL would be stronger than last
season. The statements made that Hanlon
had made some eNtravagant offers for some
Of the Philadelphia stars is all in the
game. says Hughey, and intended for ad-
vertising purposes.
In my opinion" said Hughey. las the
clubs now stand. Chicago and Cincinnati
will contend for tail-end honors, as New
York is getting together a strong team