Clipping:Early talk of a players' union, brotherhood

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Date Sunday, March 15, 1885
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A movement is on foot to organize a union among base ball players. The recent action of the league and American association has shown that players have no rights which these associations will respect, and something will have to be done by the players to protect themselves. If organized, they would be in a position to dictate to clubs, instead of being dictated to by them. The abolishment of the most slavish and unjust reserve rule is a measure which should be insisted upon. There is no class of men in the country so admirably situated to successfully carry on such an organization. The ball players cannot be made; they must be born; and when they as an organized body demand certain concessions, managers will have to grant them. Their places cannot be held by other men. Players need have no fears of managers withdrawing from the business, as while the players only demand what is proper and just, plenty of capital will be ready to go into the business. Men would receive better salaries if organized and could play with the club of their choice instead of being compelled to remain where they first sign and play for whatever the club may please to give them. If the players were organized there would be no such cases as that of Paul Hines, who is compelled to play with Providence, where he has been badly treated, for $1,800 or remain idle, although he could readily get several hundred dollars more and better treatment from any one of half a dozen other club. (St. Louis)

Source Missouri Republican
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Submitted by Richard Hershberger
Origin Initial Hershberger Clippings

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