Clipping:Interrogating club officers about hired men
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| Date | Saturday, June 30, 1866 |
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| Text | SHALL WE PAY OUR PLAYERS?–There is a great deal of talk just now in base ball circles as to whether base ball first nine players should be paid. ... We are assured that one or two, perhaps more, of the prominent clubs of the country, are in the habit of paying, directly and indirectly, some of their players. Of course, all who break the law will not too curiously interrogate rival clubs; but all others, before beginning a match, should put the President or Vice President on the witness stand to answer, on honor, whether there are any players on the nine who receive pay for the ri services. This, we hear, will be the rule hereafter, and it will be found to work advantageously for the best interests of our noble game. Let the hired men take notice. Philadelphia City Item June 30, 1866 [citing the New York Tribune] The rule is now to take the President or Vice President of the suspected club, aside, and ask him on his honor whether they pay players. Recently, the question was put to Mr. Hayhurst at Morrisania, when he replied, on his honor, that the Athletics did not pay their nine–but, if one happened to be out of employment they took care of him and paid his expenses until he could obtain work. “Only this, and nothing more!” Philadelphia City Item July 14, 1866 Let us play ball for the fun of the thing. Who would lie and cheat to win a Ball? “Sir–on your honor as a gentleman–are there any paid men in your nine?” At Morrisania,, poor Hayhurst stammered–“No, sir–this is to say–upon my word–ahem–when a man–ah–is out of employment–ahem–ten dollars a week–ah–you see–and sick–and no friends–ah–why, then you know–we don’t pay–ah, no–we merely–ah–excuse me, sir, you are on my toes–ah–ah–I do not play ball for a living–no, sir, not by a d--d sight, on my honor as a gentleman!” Poor Hayhurst! Little man in a tight place, and badly squeezed. Club suffers. Better to do the fair, manly, honorable thing. Philadelphia City Item August 18, 1866 |
| Source | Philadelphia City Item |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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