O/T A-Rod $350M Contract...R U Kidding Me?
 

Posted By: <b>David Atkatz</b><p>Actually, McGraw didn't refuse to play Boston. He refused to play the winner of the A.L. pennant, whoever that may have been.<br />At the time Little Napolean refused, it was just as likely that the people he hated most--the Greater New York Base Ball Club of the American League--would win, and there was no way McGraw was going to risk losing to <i>them</i>.<br />As it happened, The New York Americans gave up the pennant to the Boston Americans on the last day of the season--Jack Chesbro's infamous wild pitch--and so it was Boston that was shut out of the second World Series.<br /><br />How do you turn any of that into a "curse"?

O/T A-Rod $350M Contract...R U Kidding Me?
 

Posted By: <b>Ted Zanidakis</b><p>Everything you said is accurate and I have posted all this before....1904 was a fantastic season in BB.<br /><br />What you didn't mention is McGraw's vendetta against Ban Johnson....who rejected McGraw's request<br /> to be Manager of the NY Highlanders in 1903.<br /><br />The "behind the scenes" story that I am familiar with, is that McGraw was willing to play the Highland-<br />ers because he felt his team could beat them and further "rub" it into Johnson And, Pulliam (NL Prez)<br /> and Brush (NY Giants owner) were well aware of the economic significance an all-NYC World Series. <br /><br />But, when Chesbro committed the "ultimatel sin" and failed to simply waste the pitch on an 0-2 count to<br /> Fred Parent (who Chesbro had struck out twice that day);and, allowed the winning Run to be scored<br /> by Criger....there was no way that McGraw....Brush....and Pulliam were going to play the Boston team.<br /><br />TED Z

O/T A-Rod $350M Contract...R U Kidding Me?
 

Posted By: <b>David Atkatz</b><p>McGraw announced on October 7--when the Highlanders were still leading the A.L.--that they would not play a series with the A.L. winner.<br /><br />Said McGraw:<br /><br />“I want to go clearly and emphatically on record in the matter of the refusal of the New York Club to play a post-season series. The people of New York have been kind enough to give me some credit for bringing the pennant to New York, and if there is any just blame or criticism for the club’s action in protecting that highly-prized honor the blame should rest on my shoulders, not Mr. Brush’s, for I alone am responsible.<br />“When I came to New York three years ago the team was in last place. Since that time, on and off the field, I have worked to bring the pennant to New York. The result is known. Now that the New York team has won this honor, I for one will not stand to see it tossed away like a rag. The pennant means something to me. It is the first I have ever won. It means something to my players, and they are with me in my stand. We never stopped until we clinched the pennant, even if it did rob the game of the interest of a pennant race. The club never complained. When the fight was hot we played to thousands. After the race was won we played to hundreds. But that was square sport and the stockholders never complained. If we didn’t sacrifice our race in our own league to the box office we certainly are not going to put in jeopardy the highest honor in baseball simply for the box office inducements.<br />“If the National League should see fit to place post-season games on the same plane as championship games, and surround them with the same protection and safeguards for square sport as championship games, then, and not till then, will I ever take part in them.<br />“Now about the team. A better team never was gotten together. We are afraid of no team. They are with me to a man in my stand. I put it up to them one by one and they showed their colors. We are here and here to stay. We will defend the pennant in 1905 and hope to for many years. We are willing to be judged by our patrons and the supporters of honest sport.”<br />

O/T A-Rod $350M Contract...R U Kidding Me?
 

Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>Locking threads is saved for extraordinary situations. Deleting them is almost never done. I would greatly prefer everyone just use good judgement. I don't see the harm if this gets bumped back to the top every now and then...especially if it stays on topic. Even though I could give a rats patoot about major league baseball today I think it's a fair Off Topic to talk about on this board...per the rules....regards

O/T A-Rod $350M Contract...R U Kidding Me?
 

Posted By: <b>jay wolt</b><p>Glad this thread hasn't been locked<br />Ted & David's accounting of the '04 season is a good read

O/T A-Rod $350M Contract...R U Kidding Me?
 

Posted By: <b>Ted Zanidakis</b><p>JAY W<br /><br />I think I'll continue this discussion on a new thread....lest Leon shuts this one down.<br />This subject matter is pre-war and is worthy of its own thread.<br /><br />TED Z<br /><br />