The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-14
DOLLAR BASEBALL.
Are Greedy Players killing the Golden
(,OOSpp

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-.Str: No
one In this baseball loving country Will
reprove Manager John J. McGraw OF the
Giants for endeavoring to improve his
team to the extent OF making 1t pen
nant winning possibility. That's his
privilege. and he should be commended
for exertng his efforts toward the sign
ing Of the best men in the profession.
men who rank not far below iris
Speaker. Ty Cobb and Walter johnson.
II is the aim of every manager In the
big leagues to secure the best available
men to bolster the weak spots here and
there and turn into first class team
what would otherwise be a weak aggre-
CATION. That's baseball and the demand
Cor high class players Is growing stead
lily year after year. until at present
the stars of the game can command
princely salaries from the owners.
Mctiraw In his efforts to keep his
team IN the race has had 20 adhere to
the custom now In vogue OF paying rat
salaries to the players lie has net put
his hand into his own pocket. OF course.
TO meet these demands. but he has made
suggestions To the owner of the Giants.
MIR. Hampstead who has not stinted
when the question of securing a capa-
bic player has been left for him to
decide The fact that the Giants have
been well up In the National League
pennant race for the last decade Is
ample proof that the unloosening OF
the purse strings has brought good re-
turns. To have the Giants finish lower
than thi:d place would be a novelty TO
New Yo.""rs.
As loas IS tho players secured by
NcGraw carle TO the Polo Grounds with
',leau hands" the public has shown no
disposition 20 receive them with any
thing but opru arms The fart that
such players were reled upon to add
strength 10 the Giants was sufficient
reason for the partisans OF the Giants
to welcome them and wish them success.
Il mattorCd little to the enthusiasts how
t.e players started, where they started,
what their social standing WAS &c. SO
long AZ they were possessed OF sum
Gent ability to increase the batting,
bis" running or fielding OF the Giants
the plrt!sans were satisfied. Baseball
enthusiasts may he fckle, but they are
easily satisfied
Now another phase of tho situation
has been brought TO tho public's notice.
IL relates to the signing OF the Federal
Leagues star player, Benny kaun OF
the Brookfeds McGraw. aware OF the
:act that his outfeld IA below the
st ndard. looked about for an outfelder
of sufficient ability 10 strengthen the
weak cog In the teams machinery
Eaufr. IKE all present day ball players
vas not dverse 20 getting more money
for his services than President Ward OF
the BrookfeIs was willing TO pay. Sc
when Mciraw named his figures the
Federal lelguer opened his eyes and
PROMISED MCDiraw that he would re-
port The young man kept his promise
and baseball enthusiasts know the re
suit OF McGraw's efforts 20 play KauN
In centre field The game was forfeited
TO the Bostons on President Tener.
orders
Kaur is only one OF the great army
OF present day players who have cast
sentiment TO the winds in their eager
ness to get as much money as they pos
SHY can hold up the magnates for
The players are mercenary, avariciou'
and selfish Their greed for gold Il
overcoming all OF their other princf
pies, and the greed has reached the po;n
whore even a contract Is no longer helt
sacred Home Run Baker, the idol o
Ph.ladeiphia's baseball public, has re
fused 70 live up TO his contract because
Connie Mack refuses TO raise the amour
that Baker agreed to play for
PLAYERS and magnates must realize
that there will he only one outcome o
mo players avarice. the public will turf
away from professional baseball becaVs'
they Will realize that the players hav'
only one object in view, 10 get the money
Sentiment has died and been buried.
NEW YORK, May 10, NERBuM SAT.