L. E. SANBORN,
_Chicago Tribune._
NEW FACES IN THE OLD LEAGUE
BY JOHN B. FOSTER.
Not for some time has there been such a turning over of the leaves of
history in the National League as during 1912-13, and because of this
there are many new faces peering out of the album. There have also been
changes in the minor circuits and one prominent change in the American
League.
The death of John T. Brush removed from Base Ball a dean of the National
League. Wise in the lore of the game, a man more of the future than of
the present, as he always foresaw that which some of his contemporaries
were less alert in perceiving, it meant no easy task to be his
successor.
Prior to the death of Mr. Brush there was a great deal of curious and
some idle speculation as to his ultimate successor in case of decease,
or, in the event of his retirement because of bodily weariness. One or
two went so far as to say that upon his death Andrew Freedman would
return to prominence in Base Ball, because he was the real owner of the
New York club. Once and for all the writer would like to put the
personal stamp of absolute denial on the repeated statements made by
certain individuals in New York and Chicago that Andrew Freedman
retained the control of the New York club after John T. Brush was
reported to have purchased it.
Mr. Freedman retained nothing of the kind. Not that Mr. Brush objected
to him as a partner, but when Mr. Brush purchased the stock he purchased
the control outright, although he did request Mr. Freedman to hold a few
shares and not give up his personal interest in Base Ball, for Mr.
Freedman had a great liking for the game in spite of his stormy career.
The assertions that Mr. Freedman was the real owner and Mr. Brush the
nominal owner were made with malicious intent, of which the writer has
proof, and through a desire, if possible, to combat the popularity and
the success of the Giants.
This digression has been made to call attention to the fact that while
rumor was plentiful as to the future control of the Giants Mr. Brush was
carefully "grooming" a young man--his son-in-law, Mr. H. Hempstead--to
take his place.
To a few it was known that Mr. Hempstead was acquiring such experience
and information as would be necessary to assume the control of an
undertaking which has grown so big as the organization of the Giants in
New York. The business details of the club have quadrupled and the cares
and anxieties of the man at the head have increased in proportion.
The Giants, as successful as they have been under the control of John T.
Brush and John J. McGraw, the men who have been the executive heads in
both the business and the playing departments of the game, are as
susceptible to reverses as if they were the lowliest club in the
organization. It is only by constant and severe application that the
club's affairs may be kept at the best pitch.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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