kid Gleason

Giants and Pirates outfielder Tom O’Brien dies at 28

ByTom

1901 – Giants and Pirates outfielder Tom O’Brien, 28, dies in Phoenix, AZ. A popular player with the Giants, O’Brien played for Pirates in 1900, then accompanied the Giants and Superbas last fall on a trip to Cuba for a series of exhibition games. On the boat trip over, he was told that if he drank enough sea water he’d be sick, but would then be cured of any sea sickness. Both O’Brien and Kid Gleason became violently ill following the prescription, but O’Brien was so affected that all his internal organs were damaged, and he never recovered.

Phillies star infielder Nap Lajoie in violation of reserve clause jumps to the new American League

Phillies star infielder Nap Lajoie in violation of reserve clause jumps to the new American League

ByTom

Phillies star infielder Napoleon Lajoie is rumored to have jumped to the new American League’s Philadelphia franchise. The National League’s leading hitter, clearly in violation of the reserve clause, does switch to the Junior Circuit, where he will win the Triple Crown, leading the league with a .426 batting average, 14 homers, and 125 RBIs.

1901 – Philadelphia Athletics manager-GM Connie Mack signs a 10-year lease on grounds at 29th and Columbia to be called Columbia Park. A contract is set for construction of single-deck stands to hold 7,500.

ByTom

1901 – Philadelphia Athletics manager-GM Connie Mack signs a 10-year lease on grounds at 29th and Columbia to be called Columbia Park. A contract is set for construction of single-deck stands to hold 7,500.

1900 – Suffering from a drop in attendance in 1900, National League owners vote to cut costs with a 16-player limit after May 1st. The Players Association claims the move is aimed at pressuring players into signing by shrinking the number of jobs.

ByTom

1900 – Suffering from a drop in attendance in 1900, National League owners vote to cut costs with a 16-player limit after May 1st. The Players Association claims the move is aimed at pressuring players into signing by shrinking the number of jobs.

The National League considers I going back to 12 teams to counter American League moves into some cities.

The National League considers I going back to 12 teams to counter American League moves into some cities.

ByTom

1900 – The National League considers going back to 12 teams to counter American League moves into some cities. Club owners invite Ban Johnson to come to the NL meeting, but change their mind about compromise and leave the AL head outside the meeting room. The NL awards the AL’s Minnesota and Kansas City territories to the new Western League, even before the AL officially abandons them. The NL agrees to hear the players in a public meeting, but rejects all their demands.

National League owners to “have something closely resembling a fit when Players Protective Association meet with Ban Johnson

National League owners to “have something closely resembling a fit when Players Protective Association meet with Ban Johnson

ByTom

1900 – A rumor that the Players Protective Association leaders have gone to Philadelphia to meet with Ban Johnson causes National League owners to “have something closely resembling a fit,” says the New York Times. Players later admit the meeting took place.