Evening journal., 1914-04-18
Wars IN BASEBALL
COVER LONG period
Present Fight Recalls Stir
ring Times Of the
Past
NATIONAL HAD
CLEAR FIELD LONG

The action of Pitcher Hamilton,
who recently jumped the st. Louis
Browns to play with the st. Louis
Federal League team, in announcing
his intention of going back to Presi-
dent Hodges club, brings home the
fact more forcibly than for some time
past that a baseball war is really on.
Not since the days, some years ago,
when the major leagues and the Tri-
State we're engaged in battle royal
has the baseball world been treated
to such q drama. This condition
recalls to mind some of the starring
wars that baseball has seen in the
past.
The National League, the daddy of
all such organizations, was formed
In 1876 and held the field without
opposition for several years. The old
International League, founded the
following year, and its successor, the
National Association, launched in
1879, had circuits that did not conflict
with the National League. The same
was true of the Eastern Association
OF 1881 and the American Associa-
tion Of 1882.
The Eastern association had clubs
in Philadelphia and New York city,
which cities had been expelled from
the National League at the close Of
its first season. The American As
sociation was represented in Cincin-
natl, st. Louis and Louisville, which
cities had also been dropped from the
older organization.
New York city in 1888 became the
first city to have two big league ball
clubs, for in that year the National
League put teams there and in Phila-
delphia again, in opposition TO the
American Association. In the fol-
lowing year, 1884, the first real base
ball war started. During that sum
mer the "outlaw" Union Association
started with circuit composed OF
Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia,
Washington, Altoona, Chicago, Gin
cinnati and st. Louis.
This was one OF the most dangerous
seasons, financially, in the history of the
game. Three Of the Union association
clubs went on the rocks and were re-
placed by Kansas City, Milwaukee and
st. Paul After that came a period OF
peace, but in 1890 the Brotherhood wal
broke out. This was the first opposi
tion to the reserve clause, which is to-
day the principal bone of contention be-
tween baseball players and magnates.
The Players league was formed II
that year US a protest against the re
serve clause and other methods Of clul
owners not to the liking Of the players
Clubs were placed in all of the Nationa
league cities. Both organizations lost
money, and a peace was patched up
The American association, dissatisfie,
with the terms OF settlement, continued
the war another year, with competing
clubs in Boston and Cincinnati.
Ban johnson, the present head Of thu
American league, frightened the dow
of peace, which had rested serenell
over big league baseball for severa
years, half to death and caused il t.
scurry away in ignominious retreat. Th'
American league was formed and begai
a raid ON the National, Turing ava.
many of its players. johnson and hi
supporters forced their way into tn
recognition of the National and hav
been friendly enemies ever since.
The next "war" of any consequence
was that carried on by the "outlaw
1T Il-CLalt lctRuts IHl5 WIS nob an III
vading battle except in the matter o
players. But the struggle is still fresl
in the minds of the fans in this section
Suffice it to say that the Tri-State wol
and was granted the protection OF tn
national agreement.
> What will be the outcome Of the pres
ent contention with the Federals2 !
precedent goes for anything, the Federal
win win. Surely the peace and quie
and sleeping periods of big league mag
mates are due to be more or less dis
turbed by visions of numerous rows o
canvas bags. tied tightly around tn
top. like sacks of grain, and bearin
dollar marks. This vision, like jack
o'-lantem or the song Of the Lorelei, ha
already appeared to some players wit
results which the major league ell
iowners know to their sorrow.
NVrAC nDENER