The St. Louis Republic., 1904-05-01
THE NATIONAL AND AMERICAN
LEAGUE BASEBALL CLUBS.
The yeu st. Loui. Brown..

The New ST. Louis Browns.
II Worlds Fair visitors will see nothing
mo-a thoroughly American than the home
park in which the new St Louis Browns
have played isds season TO crowds that
II We're scarcely surpassed hy the four-time
I fs.nnGnt winners of other days, VINO gave
She name OF Browns al international sig
nificarce.
This bali park. grand stand and all. was
| built IN twenty-thFee dayS. Il was built,
J just as the team Itself was gotten togeth-
! er. under adverse circumstances, the
courts piaytns hand in the general op-
1 position. BEt strong heads and strong
purses end 4 public sentiment that sooi.
Necred 20 the star team and the vigor ana
enthusiasm Of It's management. soon
PACED the new Browns on a firm footing.
'ihey finished the season not half dozen
G.eses ts,ind the Philadelphia Athletics
Fbe directorate OF the S. Louis clGc IS
1 considered one Of the most forcefcl IN the
american League Robert Lee Ee1Ses.
I itis principal owner, came 70 St LOUIS Il
stranger and coatenGed Win Obstacles
that were proph.sied is ;i:- ruin cf ire
American I-caal:e movement In 81; Louis.
f.Sy placing -. Louis on the ci:cUit the
American League fulfilled its promise 10
establish riyai !easae to the National.
\ Cor years the strOnGes; organ:zation in
/ baseball Through the Offices OF John Z.
Bruce and c. J. McDiarmld, Cincinnati
lawyers and baseball enthusiasts. Mr..
Hedges Was Induced TO buy a controlling
in-eres, In the St. Louis club from Mcssrs-
Matt ard Henri killitea. owners OF the
milwaukee, clcD. which was transferred TO
81 Louis In the spring OF 1907
James r. McAlcer, the former manager
and famous outfieider OF the Cleveland
club. was engaged as manager, and by
master stroke he succeeded in adding tire
cream Of the St Louis Cardinals OF 1901
TO the pick OF the Milwaukee players.
thereby organizing a team that gave St
Louis the brand of baseball It had been
asking for
shortly after coming to St Louis Mr.
Hedges associated with him Mr. Ben c.
Adkins, Water Commissioner OF st Lor.s
end row vice president OF the cluo Tnls
combination fought against almost over
lcGis
Much influence was brough; to bear
against the new club. With the playing
season close AZ hand when the club was
formed, permits were refused for tenn
Lo-ary stands at the home of the old
Browns, Grand aI1d Sullivan avenues With
no home, il seemed that the star team
would be forced to disband. but at an
enormous expense material was ordered
for steel and cement stands. and by work
ing night and day. and avoiding labor
equipped tho mark in twenty-three days
and opened on schedule time
Even before work began on the park
Manager McAleer completed his task of
getting team together with thorough
ness that has characterized this club since
ats organization. During the season of
1901 the baseball war between the Amer
!, lean and National leagues began in earn
vest Players services were bid Up 10 the
skies, and an enormous outlay was re-
qrired to bring them into the fola and pay
them the salaries they asked
McAleer began his task by signing seven
star players from the ST. Louis Nati9nal
Jesse Burkett, who led the National
League in batting that season; outfielder
was regarded by St Bouisans as the best
in the land: Second Baseman Dick Pad
den, who c3ptained the fast team of 1902.
and wee Willie Sudhoff. the pick of the
Cardinal pitching staff. These Tren signed
contracts al q big figure.
Frank Donahue was secured from the
Philadelphia club and John Anderson.
Dayy Jones, Billy Friel. Billy Maloney
Miiwaukee. These men were the nucleus
from which McAleer formed the team that
was everywhere considered the real cham
One more difficulty was overcome when
the claim Of the st. Louis National League
managers 10 their former players was re-
jscted In a court of law.
Many changes IN the team have been
made since then and last season. through
and unfortunate slump in batting, the
team finished IN the second division, but
Manager McAleer is still at the helm, ,and
has bright prospects for the Worlds Fair
year.
:. Among the new players signed for 1901
are Catcher Jack O'Connor, the st. louis
boy. who led the American League back
sops last season: Eugene DeMontreyiile.
z tfamous second baseman. formerly with
fton; Texas" Hill, the fast young third
-eyeseman. who was introduced 10 st. Louis
fans last fall and Fred Glade. the lead
ing pitcher Of the Western League last
year. With this and other talent added 10
the known ability of the old men retained.
the Browns figure TO be a first-division
team in a league which Is recognized as
the fastest 70 the country.
In two years of baseball experience Mr..
Hedges has become one of the best known
men In St. Louis. He was formerly in the
business of carriage manufacturing in
Kansas City and Hamilton, o.. but now
makes st. Louis his home.
At a recent election he was chosen as
President of the club, and Mr.. Adkins. a
nan of wide reputation as a gentleman
sportsman, was reelected vice president.
Besides them. the Board OF Directors con-.
sists of Messrs. C. J. McDiarmid. John Z.
Bruce and James c. Chic.