Evening star., 1922-08-21
Puchasing Of League Pennants
Roundlv Scored.

general chorus OF dlSapproTal TOT
the recent trades in the American
and National leagues designed to
strengthen the two New York clubs
against their strenuous and climbing
rivals from St Louis is voiced by the
newspapers of the country. The
deals smack too much of CONNER
cialism," Is the general declaration.
III the commercial aspects of the
game do not become markedly less
conspicuous in the immediate future,
If an end is not made Of this prac-
whatever players 1t regards as neces-
sary to pennant winning. base ball
Is certain to lose much of the pres
tiEe 1t enjoys" the Cleveland Plain
Dealer quietly points out, adding
that "a system that will enable the
participation in world series con-
tests year after year will shortly
prove just as disadvantageous to New
York as to the other clubs repre-
sented in organized base ball." In
dorsing every word of the above, the
tention to the fact that "one way to
kill the goose Is by choking her. to
death on gold dust" and insists that
If New York must mako every pen
nant a sure thing, then base ball Is
on Its last legs" But the evil goes
further than the professional game.
the Harrisburg Patriot declares, as
"in base ball these days amateurism
Is confined almost exclusively to the
sandlot and the college diamonds. 1t
will be great day when 1t will %
possible to conduct base ball games
for the fun Of it and not to see how
much money it will cost to get a WIN
ming team"
Under the caption, the "Overheated
Hub" the Manchester Union recites
the Red Sox in justification Of his
particular deal and then praises his
judgment in going to New York to
utter them, because New York is
25O miles. or thereabouts. from Bos-
ton. That is just about the margin
would recommend for one who thus
addresses the Hub hubbub at this
stage of the game"
While "honest enthusiasts wonder
whether this thing will hurt the
game" the New Bedford Standard Is
worried about that. The test with
them is whether it is good business.
AS long as the fans support this sort
Of base ball this is the sort of base
bali they will get" The interested
St. Louis Globe-Democrat, after
quoting johnson and Lands that the
deal was deplorable." suggests that
the latter 'fs supposed to have plen-
ary authority in all matters. relating
to the ethics of the game and policies
that may affect Its vogue. Can he
do nothing for fair play and for
status in which St. Louis will not be
compelled to battle both Boston and
The protests. especially the one
fathered by the St. Louis Chamber
of Commerce, declaring that the game
is mmercialised. come too late, III
nal, because ''the dollar really be-
time age when base ball was first
commercialized. Any sport that is
turned into q business pure and SIM
ple. may win much as an enterprise
for making money. but It Is bound
to lose much Of the spirit that first
marked its introduction. Indeed, st.
Louis is right in protesting against
the unlimited employment of money
in q contest for the American League
pennant, but, II the high base ball
ofiicials ever attempted to take con-
Dollar. they would have to start right
down At the bottom and work all the
way to the top" While this, Of
course, Is admitted everywhere. the
fact remains. the Rock island Argus
suggests, tnat tue men eHB8geQ III
catering to the lovers Of this form
of sport ought to see that CONNER
cial Competition will inevitably result
in placing the game on q plane where
it Will not be the city with the best
team that will win. but the one with
the most money. That Is not in
keeping with the sporting spirit. 1t
violates all Of the rules Of the game
al the reai fan has come to love Il"
|. According to the Omaha World-Her-
aid. athe statement Of iris Speaker,
manager OF the Cleveland Indiana.
thai tho transaction 10 scrtme. ID
hardly too strong derunciaticn Of