Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-06
EsG CUBS FOR FIRST PACE-VAN "a RAIN CHECK
A RAIN CHECK
Redo La,ch and "Jde" Hartoeu Find Themselves in Ds
Then Consider the Ethics of Betting in Baseball
And Think About the Future Seriously.
BY CHARLES E. VAN LOAN
,. worlds Most Famous Writer OF Baseball Fiction.

+, envelope contained blank contraet.
next season, but the blur worked ".
Here's what money is coming "a |
Now. beat itr'
The newspapers had great deal "a
about the teams sudden loss
Flannery said nothing save that h.
had a racket" with Lynch and u|
well, and that they had quit in a AL
temper. He knew that the plain \,
would hurt the Keatsville Club. I'll
breeding a general suspicion aKainu
honesty Of the cieanest professional II
In the world. A crooked baseball ~
is so rare a bird as to be alnosl
known, and when you stop TO cony|
how many thousands Of profesris.
have played baseball in America h
last 30 years, the number OF them N,
listed for dishonesty is astonIshlr
small.
F1annery had no desire to ada i
names to that short list, and he |
confident that his threat would Il
Lynch and Hartwell from attemptiny
secure work in any minor league n
country. He was perfectly satisfied af|
he paid a short visit to Sam Levine
Look here, you millS-bottle thieft' i
F1annery's opening remark. I'm I'll
to tell you something for your own eo|
You can get away with It this time 4
II you try to hook UP any more Of |
players, I won't do a thing but M
that big nose of yours all over your
face. Savvy2 All-over-your facet Al
then I'll make this town too hot 10 hl
you"
Flannery had influence with ma
politicians, and Levine knew that
could make good his threat, 80 he a
nothing, contenting himself with 81
eral denial.
Some of the Keatsvillo players M
have suspected the truth, but prids
the team held them silent, and Red I,vn
and Jake Hartwell were whirled away
new fields. quarrellng as they went. Th|
had received $100 apiece for the last 4
of business and they felt, too late IN
they had sold their athletic birthrlrh|
for song, and pretty poor song
that.
Lynch fumed and rallied, but Hartv,
the more reBourceful, was busy with
plan. which he unfolded bit by Bit
I'VE might as we'll go the limit nov
he said. They've got us blacklIstsd a
Aoiib NhClG 1911 I IL lSdBue IN fh|
country where some scout wouldnl IA
us. Now, I know town long T,y|
from here"
A stranger in Tucson, Arizona, would
have no trouble in locating the spurtn|
center Of that sporty little Southwestsl|
city. 1t was billiard parlor on the ma
street, recognized as the official ''han
out" for baseball players, boxers, al
other professional gentlemen.
The particular stranger which we hal
in mind made few casual acquaintanc|
and, quite naturally. Patsy Delaney, 4
manager of the Tucson Eagles" cal
by the information that there was n|
player in town. Now, baseball thrives|
Arizona. 1t is true that there Is
recognized league in operation, but evI
town in that part of the country has|
baseball team, and a schedule is arran|
and played out to the bitter end. Evl
manager has his eye out" for pron|
ing material, and Inducements are offe|
the athletic visitor to tarry a while
breathe the invlgorating air of the gr|
Southwest.
CONTINUED TOMORROW