Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-03
rs WORLD SERIES
GOOD FOR THE GAME?
the annual world series a good thing

Is the annual world series good thing
for base ball?
This question will stand whole lot of
sound reflection. Undoubtedly the mag
mates, who have made the game all that
it is. think SO. None should know better
than they. Still. there is room for doubt
Base ball is the only professional sport
which has the implicit confidence OF the
public. The game is clean, manly and in
spring. 1t has been kept so by judicious
government. 1t is the national game be-
cause of its cleanliness
But how about the world series idea ?
Base ball has been remarka bly, free from
scandal. What scandals there have been
may be directly attributed to the post
season games between the respective
major league winners 1t is not so very
long since the diamond was given black
eye in the regrettable Temple cup cpl
sodeS. The game outlived the blemish.
But can it survive the mutinies that are
threatened by complication of charges
made possible by a revival of annual
|interleague struggles?
Never was the sport so good as last
season. But this same brilliant season
developed certain antagonism. Naturally
enough, the gravest insinuatious came
from those who are most 10 be feared.
the betting pest. A Chicago curb broker
laid heavy wager that the Cubs would
make a clean sweep of the series with
Detroit. When the Tigers beat Pfiester
he charged that Frank Chance had
thrown the game for the money that
would accrue to the clubs Golfers from
an extra contest. Chance for very good
reasons did not relieve Pfiester when De-
troit hit him hard. Perhaps this lent
some color to the absurd charge. But this
was not all. The integrity of the sport
was further questioned. 1t has been in
simulated that Manager McGraw OF the
Giants tried to influence players of op-
posing teams to lie down to New York.
Only vague rumors, of course. but still
those mean little ones which damage
most from their very lack of source.
Some years ago when the Giants and
Athletics played for worlds title Rube
Waddell was accused of being bought up
by New York financiers. The followin z
year when the Cubs and White SoX fought
it out, Chance was accused of double
crossing the public His club was hot
fayorite but lost On top of this come
this years accusations.
Is it not possible that the present condi-
tions might in some way be modified to
rid us Of all the prejudiced whining? As
long as series are played there will of
course, be betting. AS long as there Is
betting there will be scandal
Base ball is more than ever a cold bust
ness proposition. That Is why 1t needs pub
lie confidence. Professional players are
given large salaries for their integrity
| 1t is amazing how loyal they are to the
cities they represent. World champion
ship privileges are incentives for best eff
forts. 1t means almost seasons salary
| TO get in on the post-season's split-up.
None is more entitled to the rake off than
| the player whose effort landed him the
reward But still. it seems this very prize
has given the enemy loopholes of attack
Surely the mercenary side of the PROPOSE
| ton in "a measure dims the sportsmauship
sense. That much has been proven time
and again. The national commission
wisely legisiated against chance hippo
droming' by declaring the players in on
only the first four games. Maybe this
board will strike on some plan to further
| fortify the sport 1t is to be hoped that
such will be the case.