Clipping:Charges of a thrown game
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| Date | Sunday, September 5, 1875 |
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| Text | [Hartford vs. Philadelphia 8/30/1875] [Hartford victorious 11-3] While the Philadelphia and Hartford clubs were yesterday afternoon divesting themselves of their uniforms an excited discussion arose as to the cause of the game being lost. Words followed words, till finally McGeary openly charged Treacy with throwing the game and Zettlein pitching so that the Hartfords could not fail to hit him, saying he was simply repeating his ‘Chicago business.’ Then the president of the club stepped up and asked McGeary for proof, who replied that he had been approached by a certain person and given the ‘wink,’ and knew all about it, and who were in the business. Treacy demanded that proofs should be given against him, and Zettlein made a similar demand. Dr. Young said the charges were pointed, and must be investigated, and he suspended Treacy and Zettlein. Both players were very indignant, and Treacy said that if he had really made any money in the way charged he would say nothing, but it was rough to be blamed when he was innocent. At a meeting of the club held that night the matter came up, when Treacy and Zettlein stated that Burdock [of the Hartfords] had told them he intended to publish a card and show that prior to the game McGeary had approached him and told him he had a large amount of money bet on the Philadelphia, and had offered him $1,000 to throw the game so that the Philadelphia should win, and that he refused to have anything to do with such an arrangement. Also, that on the Atlantic game, last week, McGeary said to him, ‘let them make four or five runs in one inning and beat those who are betting on us winning in one inning.’ Also that on the Doerr [a Philadelphia amateur club] game McGeary approached him with offers, saying that they could make plenty of money. An excited and angry discussion ensued; the management of the club was referred to in language not at all complimentary, which was only ended by the appointment of a committee to investigate the matter. They will at once take hold of it, and, we hope, will probe it to the bottom, so that the public may know who the wretches are we have been harboring. New York Sunday Mercury September 5, 1875 quoting the Philadelphia Evening Chronicle August 31, 1875 In respect to the charges preferred by McGeary against Zettlein and Treacy for alleged purposely loose play in the Philadelphia-Hartford game, of Aug. 30, and the counter charges of the two last named against McGeary, for his action in the last Philadelphia-Atlantic game, George Concannon, one of the directors of the Philadelphia Club, instituted an investigation into the matter, with the intention of expelling these three players if found guilty; but, after evidence had been given by the interested parties, and no further proof than their unsupported and vague testimony being given, it was found that the whole trouble narrowed down to a personal feeling, and these three players were therefore exonerated each, and, amicably settling their differences, resumed their places on the nine. New York Sunday Mercury September 12, 1875 [Hartford vs. Philadelphia 8/30/1875] [The Philadelphia] did not win, and the reason for it was, that Zettlein either did not pitch up to his usually high standard, or that the Hartford was suddenly transformed into good batters, a forte in which they have made no display this season. It is a notorious fact that they are among the weakest batting teams in the country, and their exhibition on Monday was a marvel among those who have paid any attention to base ball. It was not at all surprising to such, when at the conclusion of the game, charges were made by McGeary that Zettlein had premeditatedly contributed to the victory of the Hartford. His charge also included Treacy, who in no way could have aided in the victory and brought forth a counter-charge that McGeary had rendered himself liable not only to expulsion from the Philadelphia club, but also from the Professional Association, inasmuch as he had made an offer to Burdock of the Hartford to throw the game into the hands of the Philadelphia. The management did as they ought to do under such circumstances. They immediately suspended Treacy and Zettlein and instituted an inquiry, which unfortunately has resulted in what some would term a whitewash. All are exonerated, and hereafter will hold a position on a level with such players as McBride, Fisler, George Wright, Ferguson, Harbridge and the dozen others who are recognized as strictly honorable players. We think with Harry Wright, that when a man plays badly he either cannot play or that he is throwing a game, and therefore should be discharged. Philadelphia Sunday Republic September 5, 1875 ...after evidence had been given by the interested parties and no further proof than their unsupported and vague testimony being given, it was found that the whole trouble narrowed down to a personal feeling, and these three players were therefore exonerated from all blame, and amicably settling their differences, resumed their placed on the nine, and harmony reigns once more in the Philadelphia camp–a consummation most devoutly to be desired. Philadelphia Sunday Mercury September 5, 1875 |
| Source | New York Sunday Mercury |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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