Clipping:Deasley's complaints about the Boston Club; abuse of the blacklist; reserve

From Protoball
Jump to navigation Jump to search
19C Clippings
Scroll.png


Add a Clipping
Date Saturday, December 9, 1882
Text

[a letter to the editor from Thomas Deasley dated 11/29/1882] I take the liberty of writing the particulars of what would appear to be my questionable transactions with the Boston Club. I have only played two seasons in the League, both with Boston. The season of 1881 I was engaged for seven months. They refused to pay me for the seventh month. I was retained, and compelled to sign for 1882 for less than I could get elsewhere, as they threatened to black-list me for charges they claimed they had against me. (It is very singular how they retain candidates for the black-list.) This season I played thirty-eight successive games, suffering with two broken fingers, because the Boston Club had no one to catch Whitney, and all the thanks I got was a refusal to give me what the St. Louis Club offered, my wife, who was anxious to remain in Boston, having called upon the management to see ab out it before I signed with St. Louis. After I had signed with St. Louis it was another story, and the Boston management tried every way to make me break my contract, and said they would keep my October salary this year for fines, which were then first heard of, as I have not been guilty of any misdemeanor not shared by other members of the club, whom they did not fine; and as I was determined to be even with them in money matters, I signed with them. It was not honorable, but I think just as fair in me as it was in them, for they owed me for October, 1881 and 1882, $342.86, and I was not able to carry the case into court, so I made up my mind that I would rather not play in the League again if the Boston Club had the power to retain me year after year and not keep their contract, besides compelling me to play for less than many of the League catchers, and supporting Whitney, whom I claim is more difficult to catch than any other pitcher. I have always worked hard for the interest of the Boston Club, and no one has yet accused me of dishonest or tricky play. I intend playing in St. Louis next year.

Source New York Clipper
Comment Edit with form to add a comment
Query Edit with form to add a query
Submitted by Richard Hershberger
Origin Initial Hershberger Clippings

Comments

<comments voting="Plus" />