Mattingly23NY
Turning Fastballs Into Souveneir's ~
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On Ban Johnson: (AL Founder and President, and Founder of the NY Highlanders)
(excerpt from the book- "Pinstripe Empire"***
Disgusted by the National League’s inability to curtail drinking and gambling in the ballparks, themselves offering environments unfriendly to women and children. Johnson saw the opportunity of a more civil league with a friendlier ballpark atmosphere, and enough star players for a 2nd Major Leauge (AL).
Showing no fear of Johnson’s ambition, the 25 year old National League decided to establish a salary cap at this time. The league wage ceiling was $2,400. (approx: 60 Grand in 2011 dollars), small even by 1901 standards.
The AL was an immediate hit. In 1901 the AL drew a reported 1,683,584 fans without even having teams in NY or Brooklyn. The NL, with the NY and Brooklyn, drew a reported drew 1,920, 031. A remarkable success story.
Johnson offered John McGraw the Manager’s job for his new NY Highlanders team.
But McGraw’s legendary temper and antics, popular with the rowdy fans of the day, translated poorly into what Johnson sought to accomplish with the more genteel game. His scrapes with umpires, and incitement of the fans played poorly with the AL aspirations.
Johnson had to frequently suspend McGraw, (as Baltimore’s Mgr.), for inciting riots against the Umpires. On June 28 he again went into a crazed argument, and was again suspended this time indefinitely.
Incensed McGraw asked for his release. McGraw told the press: Johnson’s down on Baltimore and would like to see it off the map”. “I am sick and tired of the whole business and I don’t care if I ever play in the AL again“.
McGraw was negotiating with the NL Giants, and arranging for his release.
The release of McGraw action, set in motion a series of events essentially rendering the O’s impotent, sending into motion a series of events that would spell the demise of the Baltimore Orioles.
The rise of the Giants, and further frustrations and road blocks to Johnson’s goal of placing an AL Team in the largest baseball market major city.
Tho’ we all know the rest is history, Johnson as AL Founder and President, got his Team in NY, yet lost financial control by the Giants crooked owner. McGraw was hired as the player/manager of the Giants, and set out to destroy the new AL Team in NY.
*** this book, is every bit as good as the book- "Yankee Century", however its not better, it simply gives different accounts from testimonies of involved parties, and other sources. Both books a must have for any Historical to Present Day History of the Bronx Bombers...
(excerpt from the book- "Pinstripe Empire"***
Disgusted by the National League’s inability to curtail drinking and gambling in the ballparks, themselves offering environments unfriendly to women and children. Johnson saw the opportunity of a more civil league with a friendlier ballpark atmosphere, and enough star players for a 2nd Major Leauge (AL).
Showing no fear of Johnson’s ambition, the 25 year old National League decided to establish a salary cap at this time. The league wage ceiling was $2,400. (approx: 60 Grand in 2011 dollars), small even by 1901 standards.
The AL was an immediate hit. In 1901 the AL drew a reported 1,683,584 fans without even having teams in NY or Brooklyn. The NL, with the NY and Brooklyn, drew a reported drew 1,920, 031. A remarkable success story.
Johnson offered John McGraw the Manager’s job for his new NY Highlanders team.
But McGraw’s legendary temper and antics, popular with the rowdy fans of the day, translated poorly into what Johnson sought to accomplish with the more genteel game. His scrapes with umpires, and incitement of the fans played poorly with the AL aspirations.
Johnson had to frequently suspend McGraw, (as Baltimore’s Mgr.), for inciting riots against the Umpires. On June 28 he again went into a crazed argument, and was again suspended this time indefinitely.
Incensed McGraw asked for his release. McGraw told the press: Johnson’s down on Baltimore and would like to see it off the map”. “I am sick and tired of the whole business and I don’t care if I ever play in the AL again“.
McGraw was negotiating with the NL Giants, and arranging for his release.
The release of McGraw action, set in motion a series of events essentially rendering the O’s impotent, sending into motion a series of events that would spell the demise of the Baltimore Orioles.
The rise of the Giants, and further frustrations and road blocks to Johnson’s goal of placing an AL Team in the largest baseball market major city.
Tho’ we all know the rest is history, Johnson as AL Founder and President, got his Team in NY, yet lost financial control by the Giants crooked owner. McGraw was hired as the player/manager of the Giants, and set out to destroy the new AL Team in NY.
*** this book, is every bit as good as the book- "Yankee Century", however its not better, it simply gives different accounts from testimonies of involved parties, and other sources. Both books a must have for any Historical to Present Day History of the Bronx Bombers...