The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-03-16
RUBE "VICKERS"
GETS WORDY BUMPS
Secretary Of Connecticut Base Ball
League Explains Why ex-Burlington
Pitcher Is Placed on the
Blacklist.

Holyoke, Mass, March 16.-Secretary
James H. o'Rourke of the Connecticut
league has offered his explanation for the
blacklisting Of "Rube" Vickers, and he
does not hesitate q minute to condemn
the eapers Of the frisky "Rube." Seere
tary O'Rouke declares that Vickers did
not return to Holyoke within the time
prescribed by the national commission
when be vaulted over the Massachusetts
state line into Vermont outlaw base ball.
President Jens j. Madden of the Holyoke
club feels that Viekers did obey the
summons, though he is not so positive
on this point. Others in Holyoke and
hereabouts think that Nickers came back
to Holyoke before the day Of Judgment
ordained by the national commission, but
Mr.. 0'Romke says that be has the
records to show that Harlan Porter, alias
"Rube," was days late. Mr.. 0'Rourke
speaks harshly OF contract jumpers, and
says that the national commission is
determined to make examples for the
benefit OF other "Rubes." The national
commission is investigating the claim
that Vickers is qualified player, and
its report will be watched with inter
est.
Following is what Secretary O'Rourke
has to say regarding the Yickers mat.
ter: "'Rube' Vickers signed contract
with Holyoke for the season of 1908,
played part II the season, jumped to
Burlington, Nt., aud returned later 10
the Holy0ke club. He rejumped and
finished the season with the Burlington
club. Because OF the prevailing strong
jumping tendencies evineed, the notitica-
tion Of Vicker's suspension by the Hol-
yoke club came to this Office and was
Immediately transmitted to Secretary
James II. Farrell of the national com
mission. During July the national com
mission, the highest court in base ball,
acting in concert with the national board,
representing the minor leagues, issued
formal notice of warning to all con.
tract jumpers 10 return to their re-
spective clubs on or before the expiration
OF 10 days, under penalty OF permanent
disqualification. This warning the great
Rube' did not heed, for the record shows
that he did net return within the time
limit, but finished the season as above
stated Therefore. he comes fully within
the operation and meaning OF the 10
days notice by the national commission
Furthermore, any player jumping his
contract in 1905 and failing TO return
under the time limit OF 10 days, ipso
facto, places himself upon the ineligible
list, and the club from which he jumps
loses absolutely al control Of the play
err
ITO my mind there are no extenuat-
ing circumstances connected with Wick
er's jumping TO entitle him to any con-
sideration, and none should be shown or
extended. He has shown no conception
for legal or moral obligations OF a CON
tract, and it is 10 such as he that the
officers Of organized ball are determined
to make an example for the salutary
effect il will have upon other Rubes' III
the profession.
Honor, decency and the universal SEN
timent from people upon whom is prcdi-
Gated the beauty and soiidiiy OF the ma
tional game demand that the game be
freed Of such az those who cannot ap-
preciate the Importance Of a contract
and fulfill its conditions. ii a player is
lacking in this he cannot be trusted in
any department Of the game, and the
quicker he il banished the better. Among
the members OF the national board there
Is no division of sentiment, and there
viii be none on the question Of contract
jumping, and the player who jumps
closes behind him the door to organized
ball for eyermore,"