Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-17
CAN NEVER TELL WHAT
|SCO|NG TO HAPPEN
This Applies to Base Ball and
Especially to Old Bos-
ton Town.

Small wonder that men with money to
invest in base ball held off so long for
further developments before putting III
large amount Of money to buy the
Boston National League club. For eight
or nine years this team has been the real
white Elephant" Of the national game
and yet, after all, the investment might
prove to be enormously profitable. One
never can tell what will happen in base
ball.
There is no more interesting chapter
in the whole history Of the game than
the one devoted to the history Of the
establishment of the American League
team at the Hub.
When the men in command of the
young and struggling organization-then
at open war with the old league-decided
to put club in Boston, President Ban
johnson and Vice President Charles w.
SOmers made a pilgrimage to that city
to look for financial hackers for the en-
terprise.
They arrived at the Hub in zero wealth
er, but the temperature. of the atmosphere
was red hot when compared with that
Of the hearts of the men of money In
Boston. The two officials of the new
league sough out such well known writer's
as Tim" Murnane, Jake Morse, Wal
ter Barnes and others and obtained from
them a list of BOstons richest fans, some
Of whom might be interested in the
enterprise.
For two days and two nights Johnson
and Somers kept up this search for men
who would put up the amount Of money
necessary for the purchase or lease of
grounds, the building of stands and the
hiring of players.
Everywhere they went they heard the
same old story: The Boston National
League club was firmly and eternally es-
tablished had been a veritable gold mine
and would continue so to be even If a
rival club were to Invade the city. Money
invested in new club would not only
be thrown away-the men investing 1t
would be subject to all kinds of ridicule
for their folly in fighting the old team.
Worn and weary. Johnson and Somers
returned to their hotel
Lets hunt no further for money" said
Mr.. SomerS.. 80.
What do you mean?" Mr.. Johnson
asked.
II mean that 1 still think this is the
city for. an American League club, and
it. Therell be a howl about syndicate
ball, but as soon as the club is on Its
feet I'll sell it. There'll be plenty of men
who will want it in year from now"
President Johnson Immediately began
negotiations for ball park. With un-
limited backing he had no trouble in
obtaining lease on grounds on Hunt
ington avenue, almost in the very heart
Of the Hub. The players engaged for the
new team We're already popular in that
city. Boston fans began to sit up and
take notice
Opening day the new park was jam
med, and it was damned almost every
day when the new club was at home
that season.
Bunker Hill day that year the Boston
Americans played to 1900 people in the
morning and 1900 in the afternoon. The
Bostcn Nationals the same day drew $50
people in the morning and 90 people in
the afternoon.
The profits of the new team that season
were much more than enough to pay a.,
the cost Of leasing the park building the
stands and paying the salaries Of the
players. Mr.. Somers sold the club for q
fat sum and 1t has made close to ST.
500 600 for the owners since that time.
No. one never. can tell what 10 going
to happen In base ball-either from the
viewpoint Of the box Office or of the play
ing field.