Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-10-14
TIME WAS WHEN
WORLDS SERIES
DREW ONLY 5000
Comparison of Gate Receipts
Shows Growth of Baseball
in Popularity from 1884
to Date.

Nothing shows the growth of baseball
more than a comparison OF gate receipts
taken in during the different series
played for the baseball championship or
the world, says the New York Tribune
The series Of 1912 between the Boston
and the New York Giants
leads all series for cash receipts and at
tendance. In the year 1884 about 300 peo-
pie attended the final game between the
Providence team and the Metropolitan
club, champions Of their respective leagues
and the total attendance at all three
games was less than 1000. That amount
OF paid admissions at a dollar each would
hardly pay the umpires of the present
series Radbourne and keefe. the oppos-
ing hurlers were at the height of their
respective careers but they failed to draw
the throngs However, tho players did not
worry, as there was nothing in 1t for
them except glory.
In the season OF 1885 the series was a
failure from all standpoints Only 500
saw the six contests between the men
Of Arson and the Browns led by Charles
Comiskey. The series was marked by
continual scrapping and at times real
fighting. Tho series ended or broke up
with honors in games won and verbal
scraps nifty and fifty" In 1856 the first
real series of the worlds championship
was tagged and pulled off in success
ful manner. The six games drew out
10000 and the net receipts were $4,000.
which was handed over to the ST. Louis
Browns as per agreement. Arson and his
merry men did not get even a pleasant
smile out of the encounter.
The series of 1887 was considered a Won
derful affair at that period, with an at
tendance OF 5000. and gate receipts
amounting to $4,000, which amount caus-
ed unusual Amusement in baseball circles
at that time. The teams Travelled in spe-
cial cars. and the whole affair was car
ried forward on a scale Of maEnificence
never before attempted In baseball FIJI
teen games were played and ten cities got
the privilege of witnessing the two best
teams battle. Chicago had a Crouch"
and when the Detroit and ST Louis play
ed in that city 1t sent out 365 spectators
Brooklyn turned out the largest crowd,
6.746. Detroit won hands down, with ten
contests to their credit.
In 1883 the New York Giants and the
ten games were played to an attendance
Of $500 people. Twenty four thousand
dollars was taken in and divided 60 and
40 per cent between the owners, and
players were promised 500 each. The
hitherto grand organization under Com
iskey made a sorry showing. and Owner
Won der Abe was 30 thoroughly dis
gusted that he refused to pay his men
the promised 800. Arlie Latham got wise
and drew his 500 before the series was
half over. The other fellows had to walt
many days before they received then
share.
Perhaps the best series of all early
day affairs was played in the season Of
1889, between Brooklyn and the Giants.
Forty-seven thousand fans saw the nine
games and paid $4,000 for the privilege.
New York won in easy fashion
The season OF 1890 was failure as 4
worlds series year One was played
between the Brooklyn club and the
Louisville team. champions of the Ma
tional and American Associations. The
winners Of the Players League, the Bos-
tons. were by long odds the best club in
the land that season, but they were re-
garded as outlaws so the other law-abid-
ing organizations ignored them entirely.
Tho two above-named contenders played
seven games Of the ten agreed upon. and
the struggle ended in a tie. and the bal
ance OF the games for the supremacy OF
the baseball world were postponed until
the next spring, but no record can be
found where they met and settled theli
argument, and 1t Is probable that it ism,
settled yet. Seven games were played
one being tie. and 1850 people attended
the entire series.
From the year 1889 until 1897 no real
worlds series games took place. Tits
were held between tho winners of the
first and second seasons of the bic
twelve-club National Ieagu but they
lacked the intense rivalry which exists
to-day. For six years the fans of the
country had to be satisfied with watch
ing the annual struggle between the firs'
and second contenders for the flag in
the respective leagues. In the year 1919
the first big battle was staged for world s
championship honors in baseball, and
from that date the browning event in the
great national game has grown steadily.
and to-day 1t is regarded as the greatest
event In the athletic world.