A Strange Fine

Can you figure this one out?

A Strange Fine

I’ve decided to spend a bit more time reading original newspapers to get myself deeper into my replays.

It’s not easy, of course. There’s not always enough time to do the sort of research I’d like to do.

Plus, some of the newspapers look pretty shabby. Take this, for example:

I suppose it’s readable, but it’s not easy.

Anyway, I took a look through this issue, hoping to find something of some interest. I came across this on page 4:

From The Sporting News, May 21, 1908, page 4

It’s not easy to read, I know. But a look through local Washington DC newspapers helps a bit:

From The Washington Post, May 16, 1908, page 9

Clear as mud, right?

Here’s what I think happened.

First off, the 1907 Washington Senators were bad. I mean, they were really bad. The team finished in last place with a 49-102 record.

Two players on that team left the team completely before the season was over, breaking their contracts. One was John Anderson, who we talked about earlier:

Anderson jumped ship on August 1, 1907, after the Senators lost to the White Sox, 7-3. Washington was 28-58 at that point, 25 1/2 games out of the race, and stuck in last place. I’m not a math major, but it seems that the Senators went 21-44 after that; maybe John should have stayed around.

The other one was Mike Heydon, who I bet you’ve never heard of. Mike was a part time catcher who departed after the Senators lost to the White Sox on August 16. Washington was 29-69 after that defeat.

Anyway, if I understand what’s going on here correctly, Ban Johnson decided to fine the Senators for the departure of those players.

And that’s the part that just doesn’t make sense to me.

I guess the Senators had a poor clubhouse atmosphere. I’m not surprised. Teams that lose 100 games usually don’t have a great atmosphere.

However, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of another team being fined because the players jumped the team.

I guess that gives you some insight into how arbitrary Ban Johnson could be.