The Detroit times., 1912-11-02
Matter Comes to Attention of
Dave FuItz, Of Fra
ternity
DEL. OPPOSED JOHNSON;
THEN HE WAS FIRED
Other Cases Cited and Purpose
Of Fraternity Is
Given

NEW YORK, Nov. 2.---The case Of
Jim Delahanty. former Tiger. has not
been brought to my attention formai
iy, but from all hear he WAS rail.
roaded out Of the big leagues because
he defied Ban Johnson, president u
the American league" said David ~.
Fultz. president Of the Baseball Play
ers' Fraternity, today, In response "
q query concerning the player.
"Delahanty took an important parl
In the strike Of the Detroit players
following the suspension OF Ty Cobb
last spring, and soon after the mattef
was adjusted Delahanty, who had
made uncomplimentary remarks about
Johnson, was released. although hr
ranked as one OF the best second base
mel, in the majors.
"The big idea back OF the Baseball
Players Fraternity" continued Fultz.
,''is TO secure justice for players an4
eliminate the high-handed methods OF
tie club owners.
When player signs q contract he
becomes the sole property or the club
He can be sold, traded or released a.
the owners will. The owner Is bound
to nothing-the player Is tied. hand
and foot
THE fraternity Will institute eisttll
suits to compel magnates to live up
to the contracts they have broken.
s'The case OF John w. Knight ID Al
example. Knight, In 1911, signed 9
three-year contract with the New
Yorh Americans for $4,000 q year.
rhe contract. like every other one.
contained clause stating the club
could, upon 10 days notice. terminate
It's agreement.
I'm 1911. the first year OF the con
tract, Knight was sold 10 Washing
ton, which, In turn, sold him to Jerseg
city, minor league club, where his
salary was cut to $4,000.
f.This so per cent reduction was
made, despite knights contract binc
irg the New York club To pay him
$4,000 year for three years.
Andy Coakley, q pitcher for the
Chicago Nationals, was sold to LOFTS.
vile. His salary was cut $500 year
and Coakley refused to report. Other
teams wanted him, but under the Ma
tionul agreement he belonged to
Louisville.
"Coakley organized semi-profesr
sional team and played against some
major league clubs, but the national
commission forbade the clubs to play
his team.
Kurt w. Hagerman signed Bos
ton American contract for e2.40O a
year for 1912 Early this season be
was sent 60 Jersey City under an Or
tionai agreement ON June zs, Jersey
City turned him back and Boston sold
l. n. kaI. I'll
him $l,5UD for Ihe season, and he re
fused to report
"other clubs offered Hagerman =
position, agreeing to pay him $2,40n.
but President McAleer. OF Boston.
would not consent Hagerman offered
TO buy his release and McAieer said:
You'll play ball with Denver or
you will quit baseball
About this time a major league
club offered TO assume Hagerman's
81 2.40O contract, Offering more money
for the pitchers release than Denver,
but McAlcer refused. Hagerman was
poston's property; he must obey or.
ders or get out of the business which
gave him a living
''Hagerman reported at the Boston
grounds daily, but after June %
drew no money. He was refused per
mission to play with independent,
clubs.
Eros b. Barger signed with
Brooklyn for 1912 at $1,000. He was
sold 10 Newark, a minor league team.
said to be owned n part by Charles
Eobetts, owner of the Brooklyn team
and Barger's salary was cut consider
ably
These instances lave been brought
20 nv attention in writing and the
fraternity will SEEK redress Tor the
players.
perhaps the latest instance OF how
completely a player Is In the power OF
the club owner is that OF Mordecai
Brown, for years star OF the Cub
pitching stan
Last year Browns contract expir
ed and many clubs were after him
but President Murphy coaxed him &C
sign a three-year contract with Chr
cage. And before the season Of 1917
passed. Brown was sold to Louisyilie
a. !. ,-.fnnr Ian enc