Clipping:Charge of a thrown game
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
 |
| Add a Clipping |
| Date | Monday, August 10, 1874 |
|---|---|
| Text | [Mutual vs. Chicago 8/5/1874] A game of base ball was played in Chicago yesterday that will go far to bring what has hitherto been considered a national sport into utter disrepute. The contest was between a New York and a Chicago club. The spectators were not long left in doubt as to who were the better players. The men from New York were strong and confident in the field and at the bat; the Chicagos were weak and dispirited. When the game had advanced to a point at which victory for the Chicago club seemed impossible, a sudden change was made in their opponents' field by which the whole face of affairs was changed. With much difficulty, and in spite of themselves, the Chicagos won the game. We have gone out of the way to notice this item of sporting news because it has a peculiar significance to the public in this city, which has been at some pains to encourage the game of base ball, and make it reputable. In the interest of the public, then, we say that this is the first instance in which a game of base ball in Chicago has been sold to gamblers. Furthermore, the Mutual Base Ball Club of New York is the only club which has earned a national reputation for such transactions. The managers of the Chicago Base Ball Association are gentlemen: their enterprise is supported by gentlemen. They can do no less than investigate the charges which are in everybody's mouth, and if they are proven, refuse to admit the Mutual Base Ball Club again to their grounds. To gain the championship and lose the respect of decent men and women would be a fatal victory for the Chicago Base Ball Association. New York Sun August 10, 1874, quoting the Chicago Tribune 8/6/1874 The dirty piece of business was left to a club which has, for the past six or seven years, enjoyed a doubtful repute for unvarying honesty. As long ago as 1868 it used to be said and believed of the Mutuals of New York that they were governed by a ring of gamblers, and games were won or lost according as the gamblers had placed their money. That reputation has clung to the Mutual Club up to the present time, and yesterday’s exhibition will go far towards destroying what little confidence there remained in the integrity of the nine. It is said that one of the players (Allison), disgusted with the state of things which prevailed, recently declared that he would no longer be identified with such an organization, and should leave the nine as soon as their games were concluded in Chicago. This is a serious charge to prefer against a baseball club, and it is not done without seemingly conclusive evidence of its correctness. First, it may be noted as a significant fact that a prominent member of the nine, holding a responsible position, was on a “spree” Tuesday night in company with Mike McDonald. McDonald yesterday forenoon invested heavily in pools on the game, buying large numbers at an average rate of three and four to one, making the White Stockings the favorites. A Philadelphia baseball man also purchased many tickets on the same conditions. These extraordinary odds against a club which had already beaten the White Stockings in every game this season occasioned much surprise among betting mean, and an attempt was made to explain the inconsistency by the statement that Matthews, the Mutual pitcher, was sick, and could not play his position. By many this was believed; by others it was discredited, especially after having seen Matthews on the field, where he appeared to be in perfect health, and so far as he played (five innings) his pitching was as effective and difficult to bat as it had evern been found. Possibly it was too difficult to suit the schemes of gamblers, for Matthews retired from the field at the close of the fifth inning, and Hatfield finished the game as pitcher. There is ample reason to believe that at least four of the players were hired to lose the game; the rest naturally were discouraged and dishearted by the fact. It is said that two of the Mutual men were aware of and denounced the contemplated fraud before the game began, but they were powerless to prevent its consummation. So far as known, there is nothing to show that either the management or the members of the Chicago Club were aware of, or pecuniarily interested in, the fraud. ... Previous to playing, Matthews appeared in excellent health and spirits, and devoted half an hour or more to throwing and pitching to get his hand in. The exercise did not appear to fatigue him, and he made no complaint of feeling unwell. After pitching five innings, however, he was suddenly taken ill, and allowed to leave the field, Hatfield, an inferior pitcher, taking his place. The other side of the story is that Matthews was really too ill to play, having a swelling in the groin, produced by a strain which pained him severely when he twisted his body in the act of pitching the ball. The winners admitted having been told in themorning that Matthews would not play, and that this information convinced them that the Whites would have a “soft thing,” and governed them in making bets. A fitting supplement to the foregoing is the subjoined card from Mr. Davison, manager of the Mutual Club, and the accompanying certificate of Dr. Baxter, which is certainly entitled to credit: To the Editor of the Chicago Tribune.–Sir.–Having understood that some dissatisfaction exists in consequent of the action of the Mutual Club in changing pitchers in the fifth inning of the game of yesterday, played with the White Stockings, I respectfully request the publication of the certifcate of Dr. Baxter, under whose treatment Mr. Matthews has been, believing it to be in itself sufficient explanation. Alexander V. Davidson Manager Mutual B.B.C. 334 West Monroe Street Chicago, Aug. 5, 18743 I hereby certify that Robert Matthews has been ailing for the past two days, and that he was not sufficiently recovered to play ball to-day, and did so against my advice. A. J. Baxter, M.D. New York Clipper August 15, 1874, quoting the Chicago Tribune [The game was 4-2 in favor of the Mutuals after five innings; final score 5-4 Chicago.] |
| Source | New York Sun |
| 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" />