New-York tribune., 1900-01-02
9Ssp0gIs 4 !!
3pORTSF1eN'
BASEBALL.
THREATS OF WAR MAY COMPEL THE
LEAGUE SYNDICATE TO DO JUSTICE
TO THE BROOKLYN CHAMPIONS
MEN IN THE EAST AND
WEST READY TO FIGHT
THE LEAGUE


THE LEAGUE.
Those who have made close study Of profes-
sional baseball realize that It has reached crisis
and that II the club owners OF the National League
do act with better judgment than they have
hitherto acted there viii be another baseball
war which may prove 10 be more disastrous than
the brotherhood Of 1890. At that time
1he players rebellion against the League dio not
have the united support OF the sport loving public,
and that was one OF the reasons why the rebellion
failed Since then. however, certain club owners
in the League have acted in such manner that
those who have continued 10 patronze the game
have grown disguised and their sympathies would
go a organization.
The refusal OF the League 70 put stop TO
blackguardism and FreedInanism in the organza-
fon has Disguised many Of the better class Of peo-
pie VINO by their patronage have made professional
baseball IN this country a gold mine for the owners
Of National League franchises That there has
been a great deal Of money made in baseball IS
apparent from the fact that most Of the veteran
club owners have grown wealthy from the receipts
secured he gate.
Simply because A. II. Soden. Of the Boston club,
and John T Brush Of the Cincinnati club, sided
with Freedman at the recent League meeting IN
this city there were some people who heralded It
10 the world that the friend Of Croker was the
supreme ruler Of the League. To those who know
something Of the affairs Of the New-York club
such statement was ridiculous. Brush and Soden
are heavy holders OF stock in the local club and it
has been learned from those conversant with the
affairs Of the League that they were merely pat
ting Freedman on the back, as they would a
spoiled child, TO try TO protect their money inter
ests in the rnismanaged baseball institution with
home grounds in Harlem. Syndicate ball and
rowdyism are more fragrant at the Polo Grounds
than in any other city on the League circuit
To be exact the Brooklyn club to-day holds the
whip hand in the National League squabble, and
If the club owners across the East River wish to
tie up the League in order to get revenge for the
contemplate in which the champions have
been treated, they have a splendid opportunity to
do it. without the aid. Of the Brooklyn club the
League magnates are powerIess to secure any re-
form or even TO protect themselves. With the
sentiment against League methods growing all over
the country, Brooklyn has the whip hand IN the
situation. The League circuit cannot be reduced
without the consent Of Messrs. Hanlon, Ebbets,
Ahell and Won Der Horst. They refuse to sell
their holdings at Baltimore and compel the League
10 continue with either twelve clubs. even worse
with clubs
The American Association idea in the West Is
growing and all that is needed to make the major
League magnates quake in their boots Is Tor a
little capital I'm the East to be SHOWN ] dnaI t6a
possibilities that in the end the Brookyn ana 6al
more clubs might think II advisable TO WlthdrdW
from The League and join forces with the Z new aS %
socation. Some people who are well posted IN III
best thing that could happen. The agents Of the
1ce3tiV, and when the break comes there is little
doubt that a new club viii be placed IN ms Itts
OF statements TO the contrary Many people VINO tho
have refused TO patronze the I0%aylsa 1a q ga5 5ng
support a new club. The ASSOCIATION viii be
gin the fight by disregarding the National agree
Inent and signing players wherever 1t can get
them II would not have much trouble IN putting
"A much stronger team in this city than freedman
has had for several years -, II,
So the Brooklyn club owners have the whip
hand and they have a terrific grip on the handle
Their friends trust that they will WELD the lash
Uth terrible effect against the enemies OF SPORTS
snanlfke conduct and decent baseball John T. Brush
IS expected in the city to-day or tomorrow, ana,
as he Is TOO clever a baseball manipulator not TO
realize the fact that the crisis has arrived 1t Is
feIjeved that he will lose time in calling the
IesF1le clubs together and trying to smooth over
5he trouble regarding the circuit question ire
s'yyanamaker of Indianapolis" viii lose no ume IN
hunting up those who control baseball anairs IN
Brooklyn and Baltimore