Clipping:Nolan suspended
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| Date | Friday, June 21, 1878 |
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| Text | A meeting of the board of directors of the Indianapolis Base-ball club was held yesterday afternoon to consider a telegram from W. B. Pettit, president of the club, who is now at Providence, announcing the suspension of the “Only Nolan” and Nelson for crookedness. The exact character of the charge against Nolan was not made public, and cannot be ascertained, but a well defined suspicion exists that he was caught in some sort of a scheme to throw games. It is known to many that he was picked up in that sort of rascality last fall, and in the judgment of the elect he should never have been given his place again. He was only retained through the clemency of the directors, and his play all through the season thus far indicates that the confidence of the directory in his reformation was misplaced. Why the directory should have bounced Denny Mack and kept Nolan is one of the things that no fellow con find out. If they didn’t know it before, the Journal will hasten to inform them that the only way to make a club successful is to preserve its integrity. Let the faintest taint of suspicion go abroad that there is crookedness among the players, and the public at once loses its interest in that club. The hippodrome business is played out. Nolan is to have his trial on the return of the club, and whether he is found guilty of this particular offense or not, the directors should change President Pettit’s order of suspension to one of expulsion. In any event he should never be permitted to pitch another game for the Indianapolis club. If he had been dropped while the season was in its infancy, as the Journal advised, the club would have had more “won games” to its credit. The directors formally indorsed the action of President Pettit, and forwarded an order directing that Warner be put in permanently to fill the position of short stop. Whether Nelson was suspended for crookedness, or simply on account of inefficiency, can not be learned. Indianapolis Journal June 21, 1878 [dateline Providence 6/20/1878] The “only Nolan” has been suspended for alleged crookedness. His playing the last Boston game and in yesterday's contest was open to severe criticism. Yesterday afternoon Manager Petit received a message from home stating that in the pool room there it was perfectly understood that Providence was to win the game. Taking that into consideration Petit called the team together last night, and had a talk with them. The result was that the “only” was suspended for one week without pay. Mr. Petit says “I do this in justice to the base ball patrons, the fraternity, and to Mr. Nolan. If the charges are not sustained, he will be reinstated; if they are proven he will be dismissed at once.” Nolan today did not appear to be much concerned, and claimed that he was only suspended because of the great number of errors charged to him in yesterday's game. None of the team have much to say of the movement, and are quite sullen. Flint today had to be taken from behind the bat and placed in the field, and Clapp substituted. … From what is said tonight, Nolans' career as a league player is very limited for the future. Boston Herald June 21, 1878 [an interview of President Pettit] Pettit says, in relation to his suspension, that upon the starting for Providence, where the Cincinnatis had been having a picnic, he requested Nolan to do his level best. The game opened in good condition, and neither side scored for several innings. Then two of the Providence Club reached bases, with Wheeler at the bat, who couldn't hit a barn-door. The first two balls pitched were strikes, then two bad balls were pitched, after which one good one, making two strikes, two balls, and one fair ball. Nolan then pitched one along the ground, and the second high in the air, Flint having difficulty in stopping either, while the third he threw to one side so far that Flint could not have reached it with a ten-foot pole, and this sort of work was kept up until the game was past salvation. Then he buckled down, and the heaviest hitters struck out. Upon being suspended Nolan kicked, and protested he had never thrown a game in his life. Further, he couldn't do anything but play ball, and he didn't want to lose his character. Pettit answered that he was either crooked or he couldn't play ball like he did last year, and the he would have to stand an investigation. If he was acquitted his character would be improved. The feeling around town is against Nolan, and even if he is reinstated it is pretty certain that McCormack will pitch in the games to be played this week. [An editorial note follows averring that Wheeler is in fact a good hitter.] Cincinnati Enquirer June 24, 1878 |
| Source | Indianapolis Journal |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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