Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 September 1887 — THE BASE-BALL WORLD. [ARTICLE]

THE BASE-BALL WORLD.

Progress of the Interesting Contest for the League Championship Flag. Detroit Still Ahead, and Her Chances Improving—Dissensions in the Chicago Club. [CHICAGO CORRESPONDENCE.] Chicago, through encountering unfavorable weather at Pittsburg and Boston, has made but little headway in the League pennant race upon its present trip East. Philadelphia has passed New York and is now ambitiously turning its eyes toward second Elace, which the champions bold. There as been much of the sensational during the past week in connection with affairs of the national game. Dispatches, which upon their face seem highly colored, announce that trouble occurred between Anson and Pfeffer during the last game of the series with New York last week, and that the great second baseman was heavily fined by his captain for what the latter believed to be intentional carelessness. The trouble, it is stated, began in the sixth inning, when the score was tied one to one and New Y’ork came to bat. Welch went out at first base by Clarkson to Anson. Gore popped up a little fly over Anson's head, and Ans went after it, while Clarkson and Pfeffer started to cover first. Pfeffer got there, but caught the ball awkwardly as it was thrown by Anson, and then stumbled at the bag so that Gore was safe. That made Anson angry. He criticised Pfeffer sharply. Pfeffer made some reply and Anson made it cost him $25. Then Pfeffer was angry. He didn’t say anything, but he showed that he didn’t like it as he went back to his position Tiernan, next at bat, drove the ball toward second. Pfeffer got it, touched the bag, retiring Gore, and then in trying to effect a double play threw fifteen feet over Anson’s head, letting Tieman to third. Ward’s hit that followed brought Tieman in, and then Connor flew out, ending th* inning. The first man to bat in the next inning was Connor and he bit an easy grounder to Pfeffer. Fritz got it easily enough, but for some reason, either to play smart or because he was angry and didn’t care, he deliberately bounced the ball once, and before he could recover it and handle it Connor was safe at first. “That’ll cost yoa a hundred,” said Anson, who was boiling over.

"When Pfeffer returned to theTlossemore House after the game, he wrote a letter to President Spalding, in which he declared that he would not play ball if the fine of $125 imposed by Anson was not remitted. He considers Anson’s action in fining him to be without excuse or reason, and declares that he will not pay the fine. President Spalding laughed over the matter when he received Pfeffer’s letter Monday, and said: “Fred is a little hot under the collar, and that is about all that ails him. I presume all of the boys feel testy and quick-tempered as the result of the bad weather they have encountered down East, but I venture to say that Anson and Pfeffer will be just as good friends as ever when the team reaches home. I have just sent Pfeffer the following dispatch: “Fred Pfeffer, Willard Hotel, Washington, D, C.: “Your letter received. The matter shall be Investigated, and if any injustice has been done you it shall be righted. Do not air your private affairs through the press, but play ball and win the pennant. A. G. Spalding. “Whatever may be the outcome of the misunderstanding between Pfeffer and Anson,” continued Mr. Spalding, “if indeed such exists, the club will go ahead and win the pennant just the same. We have had a little bad luck on this trip, but that will not prevent our catching Detroit in the race, and when we take the lead we will stay there. ” THE BACK. As to the race itself, there never was a prettier one, contested for League pennant than the one now being run by the five leading clubs, three from the East and two from the West. Detroit is still a neck ahead of Chicago, and right after Chicago is Philadelphia, with New York only a nose behind, and Boston at the Giants' heels. So far as the chances may be estimated by the figures, it is anybody’s race, though the game Boston is playing would not win in the Amateur League of Chicago. The pennant will go to Detroit or Chicago, New York or Philadelphia, and he is a smart man who can pick the winner. The clubs have now begun upon the last quarter of their long run, and at this juncture Detroit’s chances are brighter than they have been for a long time. The marked feature of the closing half of the League race is the phenomenal spurt of the Philadelphias. About the middle of July the Phillies struck their winning gait, and have kept it up ever since. Of thirty-seven games played since July 11 they have won twenty-eight and lost nine, taking in that time six from Detroit, eight from Indianapolis, four from Pittsburg, five from Washington, three from Chicago, and two from New York. This is a great record, and if Harry Wright’s men keep up their present boom they will soon be abreast of the leaders. NOTES. Arthur Irwin says the Phillies are going to win the pennant. Shreve is the twenty-third man that the Indianapolis Club has played this season. The Boston management lost SIO,OOO by the postponement of the Chicago-Boston games. Baldwin’s catcher in the Northwestern League last year was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian. The bat with which Williamson made his great hit in Boston was turned for him in Pittsburgh. Hickey Flynn’s arm is still in bad condition. The little fellow is at his home in Lawrence, Mass. Baldwin wants to pitch again for the Detroit*, but won’t be allowed to until the club returns home. Hornung is suffering from a spiked leg. He had a surgical operation performed on it last Tuesday. The ball Williamson hit over the center field fence in Boston has been donated to the public museum. Ferguson has played pitcher, second and third bases, center ana left fields for the Philadelphias this season. McCormick, of the Pittsburghs, stole his first base of the season on Tuesday, and he has played twenty-seven games* Baldwin and Burns will prqibably accompany the Chicagos to Sa’n Francisco this winter. Flint will spend, the winter in New Orleans.