The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-08-31

Notwithstanding the claims OF those who
assert that suitable grounds for a base
ball plant cannot be secured in New York.
1t now appears certain that TIE American
League will place a club in Gotham next
spring. Probaly the best location is the
Manhattan Field. but as that is controlled
by Andrew Freedman, it IS almost out Of
the question. Freedman is letting the we=d5
grow in Manhattan Field for no other rea-
son than to keep a rival club from securing
it. for it IS Of no use to him
However. there is no doubt tina the
Giants will nave opposition next year. Ban
Johnson and his colleagues have been busy
with the New York deal for several weeks,
and they have inspected every location that
might suit their purpose. If the deal Tor a
part of the Athletic field at Columbia Uni
versity goes through. it Will take but a
short time to prepare the grounds. Trans
pOrtation facilities to that part of the city
are not of the best. but If New. Workers
want to go anywhere the traction com
You can bet your Panama that we will
be in New York next season qucth Jimmy
being laid carefully. and, despite all the
political influences that Freedman can
WELD. they will be carried out. What New
Workers want is a live team, and the man
who can supply them with that is going to
. coin money. AttendaEces ~ the Polo
Grounds are small, but that is not caused
- q ar Va bA - SAINT -aN ~
people want is more of the players and less
of the ma gnateS. Enough mushroom teams
have been forced on the New York fans TO
disgust them with the game forever. Every
spring Freedman romise a pcnTant win
ner. and the. papers are full of what he
is going to do But he has tried many
times. and can't make good.
Last spring a whole regiment of play
ers was signed for New York. but out of
them all but a few good players were
picked. People in New York were once more
cOnned INTO the belief that they would have
a team worth roofing for, and they turned
out good attendances at the beginning OF
the season.
o Decoration DaT New York drew the
largest crowd in either league. but that
was when the team was well up in the race
Since that dozens of players have been lift
ed and dropped. and the Giants shot down
the creased plank until they hit the bot
tom. They would have been falling yet If
there had been no bottom Correspondingiy.
the attendance shrunk., and even McGraw
could affect but little change in the senti-
ment. Whom the Baltimore deal was pulled
off and McGraw came out with mis- promises
club in public opinion. but the Giants coz
time to lose. and New York fans continue
TO be disgusted." !
The New York invasion is not the enter
prise born of an impulse. but is the result
of careful planning. II was not definitely
American League at Detroit. Then the en-
terprise was laid before the club owners.
Some counSeled immediate action; others
thought that it would be advisable to wait
another year. President Johnson was au-
thor!Zed to remove his headquarters to New
York, but that was all that was given out
officially. However. it has been no secret. !
though the American League has concealed
its plans carefully. At that Detroit meet
ing. none but those whom President John
son knew to be true were admitted to eX-
session. Joe Kelley attended as a |
stockholder In the Baltimore club, but he
was not present at any of the councils. |
deserted and both have tried to
cry down the American League. using their
CInnnCn1 GnnurlrlOn NJ 'sfnEi1a' n ffafr- 20 1
make their words weighty. Perhaps Ban
Johnson might have looked into the future
when KELLEY was barred from the councils
for certain it is that Kelley and McGraw
are talking largely through their chapeaus.
would be made manager of the New York
team was not unexpected Griffith. next to
Comiskey. has been one of Johnson's ables'
and win make n good leader.
He is shrewd and a good leader of men. He
is popular with p!e-ers and in the many
recent attempts of National League clubs
TO rob him of his men be played his cards
well. At this time 1t is impossible to at
tempt a forecast of the American League
team in New York. Griffith has been work
ing hard 20 secure the signatures of GER
tain players and II is believed he has
signed several with the understanding that
they were to play in New York.
There has been talk of expansion in both
leagues. and II the American increases its
circuit to ten or twelve clubs Baltimore will
he retained; otherwise IT will he dropped.
By failure to nut a club in the field against
the Browns. the c!bu forfeited its franchise
Baltimore. According TO some writers, De- !