Clipping:Glasscock makes his case
Add a Clipping |
Date | Friday, November 29, 1889 |
---|---|
Text | [a letter to the sporting editor of the Pittsburgh Dispatch dated 11/26/1889] Having read the papers in reference to my alleged treachery to the Brotherhood, I would like to lay the facts in the case before the public, through your agency, to show that the blame does not rest on me entirely. On the evening of the 7th of last September the new York and Indianapolis players met at Nick Engel's, and held a meeting for the purpose of signing this agreement. It was read by Mr. Ward, and he asked us to sign it. Denny and I objected to sign any such article, as we understood it. It required me to play ball in Brooklyn for the same salary as I received at Indianapolis. I told them I would not sign any such agreement, and that caused a kick, Denny siding with me. Ward said he did not care whether any players signed it or not, he would, and followed it by signing. Buck Ewing and Johnson talked to me about it, and said the agreement was only a form to say you would go with them if they should make terms satisfactory. I signed on that understanding, but with the condition emphatically stated that I was to better my condition. I lately received a contract from Ward; it was not fully filled out. There was no party of the first part, and had I signed it that blank could have been filled out so as to make me play anywhere. Then, again, it was for a term of three years, and the consideration named was $3,000 per year, which I might get if the club had good luck, as the contract stated that the player's salary was to be paid out of the net earning. I think I would be very foolish to go with the Brotherhood for less money than I have been getting, and without any certainty of getting even that. I cannot sacrifice my prospects, and run the risk of injuring my family, just to accommodate Ward and others. I think I have taken the right step in this matter; if I am wrong I will be the loser. I defy Messrs. Al Johnson and Ewing to deny that Denny and I signed that agreement on any conditions other than I have stated. The objects of the Brotherhood, as I understand them, were to enable the players to better their condition financially, the abolition of the sales system and the doing away of classification. As the Brotherhood called for me to play ball anywhere for less than I got last year, and as I was practically classified by Mr. Ward, and held for a term of three years, wherein was I to better my condition, and wherein does the new system improve on the old one? Hoping I have not taken up too much of your time, and that you will help place in a right light before the public, I am respectfully yours, John W. Glasscock. |
Source | Indianapolis Journal |
Tags | |
Warning | |
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" />