The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-01-09
FAMOUS TRADES IN BASEBA[L'S
 ACTIVE PAST

The custom of buying ball players dates back to the early eighties. Al though the deals and prices paid were not as large as at the present time, it may interest some of the present day fans to recall some of the famous deals of early days, as the old-time records show. They created much in terest then and the press of that de- cade had much to say pro and con- The sale custom followed the sean dal of 1876 and rules were made that players should sign contracts and could not jump from team to team.
 Chicago started something in 1876, the opening year of the National League, and stole Al Spalding, pitch CT; Jarvis White, catcher; Ross Barnes, second baseman, and Cal Mo Vey, first baseman, from the cham pion Boston team of 1875. They were known as the Stolen Four" This deal created such a row in baseball that teams had to buy players after ward. ...-. The Detroit club paid large sum for the franchise and players of the Buffalo team at the end of the sea- son of 1885. The "Big Four," Dan Brouthers, Hardy Richardson, Jim White and w. Rowe, were secured The Tigers, however, had to wait un- til 1887 to win their first National League pennant.
 The Boston club wanted to land the National League pennant in 1887 and startled the baseball world by paying S10,oO0 to Chicago for Catcher Mike Kelly, who helped the White Stock 1ngs to win in 1885 and 1886. This deal created as much of sensation at that time as some of the present day sales and trades. Boston did not land the pennant with King Kelly the "S10,OO Beauty" as he was call ed by the press. Boston wanted the pennant and as they had money to burn in 1888, they paid $10,0O0 for Pitcher Clarkson of Chicago. Here was another big sensation: Boston had a S20,00O battery, and surely must bring the flag. home. Kelly and Clark son worked hard that season and Boston got no higher than fourth place.
 Old-timers will recall Hartford'S team in the Eastern league in 1886 IL was a great team and as they were big favorites, local fans were sore when John Meister was sold to the Nets for $500, but received an awful jolt when Connie Mack, Frank Gil. more, Kreig, Shock and John Henry were sold to Washington for $3,500.
 Connie Mack is manager for the Athletics. Gilmore is living here, anC John Henry is on our police force.
 In 1888 the Detroit club paid FreC Dunlap a bonus of S2,00O for signing with Pittsburgh. Dunlap had played first base for the champion Tigers ir 1SS7- Pittsburgh paid him $5, ,000 anC with $2,OO0 bonus, he was a top-prict player.
 Another big deal during the seaso1 of 1887 was the purchase of the St Louis Maroons for $12,00O by tn, Indianapolis team, who joined the Ma tional league that season.
 Manager Chis Won de Ahe of tn St Louis Browns sold five players 0 the champion teams of 1885, 1886 1887 for $22,000 at the close of tn season of 1887. Pitchers Foutz an Caruthers, with Catcher Bushong went to Brooklyn in the America association. Bill Gleason, shortstoI and Curt Welch, fielder, were sold t the Athletics. This was the bigges sale on record at this stage.
 In 1896, Manager Arthur Irwin c the Giants gave $4,O0O and Harr Davis to the Pittsburgh team fo Beckley. Later he got $2,00O an ~Scrappy" Bill Joyce of the Washing tons for Pitcher Flynn and Catcne Duke" Farrell. Pitcher Meekin C the Giants was bought for $4,0O0 1899 by the Boston team
 In 1899. Charles Ebbets, presider of the Brooklyn team, paid $40, 900, large sum, for the Baltimore Oriole and consolidated the two teams. VI Robinson and John "Mugsey'' Mo Graw would not play with Brookly and their release was sold to St. Lou for $15,00O.
 In 1892, the National League an American association consolidatet and until 1900 ran a twelve-clu league. In 1900 the National leagu went back to eight teams, and pal $1O,000 for the Louisville player most of them going to Pittsburgh Twenty-Five thousand dollars was pal the Washington team, and $40, 900 fC the Baltimore Orioles. The Clevelan franchise and players cost $20,0 900. T9naa Want Ads Ono Cant o WoF