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.

Given a ten-year contract to control the Baltimore franchise, John McGraw says he intends to be there a long time, and wants to lease grounds in Baltimore where he can stay. He’ll be a manager for 32 more years, but not in Baltimore.

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Given a ten-year contract to control the Baltimore franchise, John McGraw says he intends to be there a long time, and wants to lease grounds in Baltimore where he can stay. He’ll be a manager for 32 more years, but not in Baltimore.

1900 – At an American League meeting at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Chicago, Ban Johnson says the AL has chosen not to renew the National Agreement with the National League, but sees no need for friction between the two leagues.

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1900 – At an American League meeting at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Chicago, Ban Johnson says the AL has chosen not to renew the National Agreement with the National League, but sees no need for friction between the two leagues.

1900 – The National League rejects the American League as an equal, declaring it an outlaw league outside of the National Agreement, thus inaugurating a state of war. This follows the AL’s announcement two days ago that it has made arrangements to go into Washington, DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Two weeks later the American Association makes it a three-way battle, but that third circuit will remain a minor league.

ByBaseball

1900 – The National League rejects the American League as an equal, declaring it an outlaw league outside of the National Agreement, thus inaugurating a state of war. This follows the AL’s announcement two days ago that it has made arrangements to go into Washington, DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Two weeks later the American Association makes it a three-way battle, but that third circuit will remain a minor league.

Ban Johnson

Ban Johnson writes a letter to National League president Nicholas Young seeking peace, based on parity as a major league for the American League.

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1900 – Ban Johnson writes a letter to National League president Nicholas Young seeking peace, based on parity as a major league for the American League.

1900 – The St. Louis Cardinals withhold the final month’s pay of all but five players, including John McGraw and Wilbert Robinson, citing late hours, dissipation, and gambling as reasons for the poor showing of the team, which finished tied for fifth place in the National League.

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1900 – The St. Louis Cardinals withhold the final month’s pay of all but five players, including John McGraw and Wilbert Robinson, citing late hours, dissipation, and gambling as reasons for the poor showing of the team, which finished tied for fifth place in the National League.

At Boston’s South End Grounds, Giants reliever Christy Mathewson fails to hold a 7 – 4 lead, and Boston wins, 8 – 7. It is Matty’s third loss. The Giants will return the rookie to Norfolk rather than pay $1500, and Mathewson will be picked up by Cincinnati for $100.

At Boston’s South End Grounds, Giants reliever Christy Mathewson fails to hold a 7 – 4 lead, and Boston wins, 8 – 7. It is Matty’s third loss. The Giants will return the rookie to Norfolk rather than pay $1500, and Mathewson will be picked up by Cincinnati for $100.

ByBaseball

1900 – At Boston’s South End Grounds, Giants reliever Christy Mathewson fails to hold a 7 – 4 lead, and Boston wins, 8 – 7. It is Matty’s third loss. The Giants will return the rookie to Norfolk rather than pay $1500, and Mathewson will be picked up by Cincinnati for $100.