Clipping:An editorial opposing the reserve rule; a hint about players organizing
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| Date | Sunday, July 22, 1883 |
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| Text | [from a long editorial on the subject] When the American Association came into existence a demand arose for ball players which could not be met, and through this the salaries of the better grade of professionals rose to figures which exceeded even those reached by able men in the learned professionals. Then a few of the shrewder managers put their heads together, and evolved the eleven-men reserve rule, and somehow or other convinced the rest of the managerial tribe that the rule would be of advantage and benefit to all concerned, and it was accordingly adopted without a dissenting voice. Yet hardly has half the season passed, ere a universal demand arises for its repeal. The rule was supposed to have one point, in that it was to prevent clubs tampering with each others' players in the course of a playing season, but even this supposed good has proved fallacious, as it it suspected, and with good reason, that several club managers, whom we could name were we so disposed, have secured verbal and written promises from some of the finest players in the country to play with the clubs of those managers in case the reserve rule should be repealed. That the rule will be repealed is certain, because it is contrary to reason, justice, and policy. When the Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago, Athletic and Providence clubs had secured their nines for the season each supposed it had about the strongest team that could be selected and each was ready and eager for some plan by which they could hold these players at the end of the season, well knowing that if a successful year ensued salaries would rise still higher, and hence these leading clubs united and exerted their powerful influence to have the rule passed, which they fondly imagined would secure to them the possession of their treasures. But they forgot that there are certain rules of nature and of business with which this rule came in direct conflict, and of which we shall speak presently. Suppose, now, that the Athletic and Cleveland clubs win the championship of their respective association, will it do for either of them to go into another season without strengthening such weak points as they may discover? Assuredly not. Then where will they get the material necessary to strengthen the flaws? Not from the amateur and semi-professional element, as experience has shown this season that such experiments are costly and unsatisfactory. Plenty of jewels are lying around, but it generally takes a great deal of experimenting to discover these hidden treasures, and in the meantime important games are being lost and all chance of success thrown away. … But suppose the champion clubs conclude that they can stand another season with such men as they already have, what will the other clubs do. For instance, will the Chicago Club, with its wealth and influence, consent to play second fiddle and go into another campaign without an effort to remedy defects? And if it stands by the reserve rule where will it get the players to strengthen itself? … “But,” some managers argue, “these high salaries will break up the game by bankrupting the weaker clubs in the smaller cities.” Well, suppose they do, base ball will be all the better for it. If small cities can't support clubs in competition with the larger cities, then let them drop out and into their proper position as second and third-class clubs, like the towns they represent. … Bankrupt! Pshaw! Those clubs which are worth living can stand it, and those which can't must subside into their proper rank. It is simply a question of survival of the fittest. … Let the eleven men reserve rule be repealed, or else let the players organize and resist its operations. The Sporting Life does not counsel any measure that may injure the national game, of which it is one of the most earnest and enthusiastic exponents and supporters. Harmony between managers and players is essential to success. But we do insist that the laborer is worthy of his hire, and that the ball players is a man and a citizen, and not a slave, and as such is entitled to all the rights and privileges of a free man. |
| Source | Sporting Life |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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