The Washington times., 1902-03-30
HARD lines FOR
NATIONAL LEAGUE
The American Rival Stronger
Than Ever Before.
GENERAL BASEBALL NEWS
Interest Centred in Meeting of National
Magnates - Sensational Developments
Expected-Ban johnson Tranquil
Baseball Gossip.

The present situation in the National
League is like unto the dog with a tin
can tied to his tail; it is fun for the
crowd, but hard on the dog For the last
three or four days there has been moth
ing to do but sit tight and speculate upon
| the outcome of the meeting Tuesday in
New York
with everything in chaotic state, with
the magnates ready to handy ordinations
and recriminations on the slightest pre-
text; in fact, with everything generally
to the bad, the first of last week, the
situation was temporarily eased off by
the action of Barney Dreyfuss in signing
the call for a meeting
The action of President Dreyfuss in
sticking to the old. decrepid and very
much bunged up organization deserves
great deal of commendation. or course
there may be many selfish reasons that
induced the Smoky City magnate to de-
eide as he did; still, if he had DETECTED
TO the American League, it would have
been all over except the shouting
That New York Meeting.
Dreyfuss would undoubtedly have re-
ceived cordial welcome in the Ameri-
can camp. OF course, there would have
been no falling on the neck with weeps
in the eyes. stunt; for the American
League is pretty husky child these days
and does not require much stiffening in
order to hold its own; but still, Pitts
burg would have been a welcome addi-
ton to the American circuit. and Barney
would not have been compelled to stand
out in the cold singing that sad refrain,
open the Door, ETC. for very long.
The fact remains. however that he did
not jump, and that brings up the internal
dissension in the long suffering National
League There is not much to say until
after the meeting to adopt schedule
1t is impossible to predict in what man
ner the meeting will end.
There is possibility of the magnates
being as happy and light-hearted as chill
dren at a May party; bowling politely to
each other with honeyed You first. my
dear Alphonse' rolling iuently from smil-
ing lips, when magnate encounters mag
nate.
To those. however, who are acquainted
with the characteristics of one Andy
Freedman, there is not much inclination
to the 'honeyed' word" solution of the
problem. To put the Freedman and
adequate guard of police, conducive to
the same amount of security as standing
neyt to man smoking a pipe on barrel
of dynamite. There are chances OF trouble,
to say the least
American League.
For over a week the American League
has been resting quietly upon its laurels
There has not been much doing and the
American lads have been wise enough 20
allow their National rivals to occupy the
centre of the stage; absorb all the shine
of the calcium and accumulate all the
applause of the gallery.
In fact, they evidently realized that il
is more than sufficient for one league to
make spectacle of itself at a time.
Perhaps they were also rather cowed oy
the most approved manner in which the
National magnates are engineering this
little stunt, and feared to be completely
outclassed should they mix in the little
game.
In place of tearing wildly around and
stirring up trouble. President Ban John
son has quietly retired to a health re-
sort near Detroit, and is recuperating for
the strain of the coming season. He is
perfectly satisfied, well he should be-
with the situation, and has no need OF
Seasons Bright Prospects.
The American League clubs are all well
their players have all been
signed, and in nearly all cases prelimi-
nary work has been commenced. There
have been no defections from It's ranks;
there are no serious, If there are any
dissensions within. The league is enter |
ing upon its second season as competi-
tor of the national organization, in the |
possible shape
The playing strength of the American
League has been increased at least per |
cent during the winter, and this has been
effected with few If any cases of melting |
deliberate jumping. The American |
League is ready to respect legal con-
tract and it is not its policy to induce !
men who have placed their signatures to !
a binding contract. to break their words !
and jump.