Here is a paragraph from the 1887 Reach Guide that just arrived yesterday:
THE KELLY TRANSFER.
The latest "sensation in the circles of professional base ball, was the transfer to Boston from the Chicago Club of that bright, particular star of the diamond field, M. J. Kelly. The large sums of money which were named as the price of the transfer and the salary which he is to get, caused a nine days wonder and a great deal of comment. The event has no doubt undone a great deal of the good that has grown out of the Reserve Rule and the Limit Rule. A few more "Kelly Deals" and the prosperity of professional base ball will be jeopardized.