The St. Louis Republic., 1904-05-01
The World. Fair cardinals"

American ability 10 overcome obstacles
and to triumph Gloriously where failure
seemed all but certain. is splendidly IL
ius;rated in the baseball history OF the
National League in St Louis, during the
last TWO years. the master spirits who
achieved this signal success. snatching
victory out o: the very Jaws OF defeat.
are Frank deHass Robson. President.
and u Stanley Robson. Vice President
and Treasurer OF the Cardinals.
Although the Ro5!sons spent money
with lavish hand 10 make up for the
desertions OF 1902. the material they COL
lected for their team last year proved Il
disappointment. p. J. Donovan was re-
engaged as Manager at a salary that
SCARED near the ten thousand dollar
mark, and all the minor leagues were
called upon for thei- best products. These
efforts proved unav2!li3g. and tie St
Louis National League Club finished at
the tail end of the procession
The limit had been reached. and the
Nessrs. Robson clearly perceived that
new men and new methods must be en-
ployec IL success was ever to perch on
their banners. They realized that St
Louis must have bail club in consonance
with the general ''bigness' of a World $
Fair city. and they went to work with
that sole end IN view. When one realizes
that It is-next to impossible 10 procure
star ball players, and that any reason
able amount of money IS unavailing In
most cases. the hefculean task that con-
fronted the RobisonS Is readily appreciat-
ed. To jump from the nalodorous tail
end TO the lofty, summit of possible and
probable pennant winners. is an achieve
ment as worthy as II is wonderful. II
anyone had said that the despised Cardi-
mails OF 1906 would be prominent factors
in the 1904 race. the suggestion would
have been ridiculed. and justly so-but
facts are stubborn things. and as Mr..
Cleveland would say, 1t is n condition,
not q theory, which confronts u.s. The
Worlds Fair Cardinals are making good
with both feet" as the homely but ex-
pressiye vernacular OF the fan pro-
claims It
Not since 1889, when the Messrs. Robi-
son acquired the St. Louis franchise. and
transferred the crack Cleveland Club.
the famous Pat Tebeau to this city,
have the prospects of a winning club ap-
peared SO GOOD
When looking around for playing
manager for 1900. the Robisons chose
Charles A. Nichols. the idol of baseball
enthusiasts. the premier pitcher Of the dec
ade. and a leader. true and tried
After much delay and considerable dif-
fculty. Nichols was secured, and more
than half the battle was won right
there.
Encouraged by this success. the Rohi-
0rh a
approved talent, and in rapid succession.
lined up Jack Taylor. Joe Corbett. Byers.
Thielman. Grady. Beckley. Shay. Donahue
and other players OF national repute, form
ing a galaxy OF diamond stars the Ike
of which had never before been offered 20
St I.ouisans
Especially was the country startled by
the signing of the famous Corbett, who
had won pennants for Baltimore ana
Brooklyn. and whom good judges declare
TO be as good as he ever was
The other departments have been as
notably strengthened as the pitching de-
partment has been, and Manager Nichols
what they have long desired, namely.
winning aggregation
That the Cardinals are the real thing
was proved in the recent series for the
Worlds Fair city championship between
the Browns and the Cardinals. and which
was wen by the latter in contests which
reflected credit TO both clubs.
The location of the National League
Park is an ideal one All street cars run
ing West go there direct or by transfer.
The grounds of the ball park are the lar
gest in either major league. having seat
ing capacity of over Is 600. and this will be
increased to 250oo II ii il L. found neces-
sary 10 do so to met the demands Of a
"banner'' year. as this promises to be.
An innovation will be made by the man.
agement this summer for the patrons OF
the game 50 that they may secure box
seats I'm advance. These reservations can
be made either by letter or phone ID 16a6.
Kinloch. This new arrangement viii save
visiting strangers lot of delay In line at
the box Office at the grounds. as no doubt
there will be hosts of them who will seize
the opportunities thus presented TO witness
the most approved exhibitions of the great
national pastime.