Clipping:Complaints about ineligible players
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| Date | Sunday, November 23, 1873 |
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| Text | ...The case of Allison, in games with the Mutual Club, was a clear violation of the rules, and admits of no argument in regard to it. We expressed our sympathy with the player at the time of the occurrence; but, in spite of sympathy, the law stands out and should be enforced. Now to the point. It is very silly to say that the quarrel on the subject of Addy is a matter of the question of championship between the Philadelphia and Boston Clubs. We do not regard it so. The position of the Philadelphia is totally unselfish–a simple demand that the rules be enforced in spirit and letter. Robert Addy, a popular, hard-working and thoroughly honest player, gave good service to the Philadelphia Club in the early part of the season, and also gave substantial assistance in earning many of its victories. On his return to Rockford–before the season was yet old–he organized an amateur nine, as we can prove by letters from him in our possession. During July he played with his club a game, and a return with the Chicago Club, admission being charged in both cities, other dates being arranged, but rain preventing the meetings. Within a few weeks after this, the Boston and Philadelphia Clubs make their debut in Chicago for the season, and, to the surprise of every one, Addy comes on the field with the well-known uniform of the Boston Club “outside of him.” An immediate protest is made against his playing. Harry Wright, seemingly ignorant of the facts of the case, asks Addy if “it’s all right?” “Yes,” is the brief reply, and the game goes on. Addy continues to play with the Bostons until they have won some twelve victories, under which he was ineligible, and in which, by his magnificent batting, he often brought the club from what would otherwise have been sure defeat. There is the whole case. Let our readers go once more over the rule and consider whether the charge of the Philadelphia Club against the Boston is wishy washy or without substance or strength. Our surmise regarding the matter is as follows: Before proceeding further we would simply say that we have always heartily admired the management of the Boston Club, the gentlemanly behavior of its players, the general respect and obedience to the captain, together with the honest skill with which they have played the game. We freely grant that to Harry Wright all credit for the present fine point to which the game has been brought and the wonderful improvement in club discipline. When the Bostons and the Philadelphians went to Chicago it was never imagined for a moment that there was any chance of the latter’s losing the championship. We cannot help thinking that the playing of Addy on the occasion mentioned was a disregard of circumstances which might have come about. Manning had failed in play, was not disabled, yet Addy was conveniently put in his place. Zettlein was sick–suffering–and not able to do himself or his club justice. Meyerle was absent and his absence cost a victory. The Bostons took an illegal, not yet available man. [Edward] Pinkham was at the service of the Quakers, but they played the game on its merits. Those who can be just give them honor for this action. Zettlein’s illness was the prime cause of the rapid decline from the seat of success so long and so splendidly held by the Philadelphia Club; yet with this hard burden we can but point at the twelve victories alluded to made by the Boston Club, and then ask what Addy did to win them, and, finally, compare the closing records of the two clubs. But, as we said, the question is not one regarding the flying of the pennant, but one–whether the rules of the game shall be violated without rebuke. Indeed, we doubt whether a decision on the championship can now legally be made... ... What is to be done? We answer: Call the judiciary committee at once, and settle the questions alluded to. They are more importance than the championship... |
| Source | Philadelphia Sunday Dispatch |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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