BRIDEGROOMS HONOR MCGUNNIGLE

Posted by Ron on Oct 31, 2011 | 0 comments

Bill McGunnigle

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – (Oct 31, 1889) The players for the world champion New York Giants and the Brooklyn Bridegrooms each met the day after the end of the World’s Series to divvy up their shares of the game receipts.  The Bridegrooms also presented a surprise gift to their manager Bill “Gunner” McGunnigle.

            The Giants gathered yesterday at the Polo Grounds where owner Tom Day announced that New York had taken in $12,056.15 from the Series.  Each Giants player received $380.13  from the games, but a total of about $500 each including  proceeds from the benefit show at the New York Opera House. Oddly, the team did not vote a share to manager Jim Mutrie, perhaps because he is part of management as a co-founder of the team.  The night after the Giants won the Series, however, Mutrie received free drinks at the bars all along Broadway.

            The Bridegrooms met yesterday at Washington Park.  President Charles Byrne reported that each Brooklyn player would get $359. 61.  The players voted a full share to manager Bill “Gunner” McGunnigle. 

            The team then presented their manager with a $200  gold watch.  Dave “Needles” Foutz spoke for his teammates when he said, “Hoping your heart will beat long after the machinery of this watch has rusted into dust, we remain your friends and admirers, the Brooklyn Baseball Club.”

            McGunnigle, obviously blushing during the presentation,  responded, “Boys, you caught me unprepared.  I can assure that you whatever happens the watch will not visit my ‘uncle’; that it will be kept in a chamois case and that it will always be carried  in a pocket over my heart.”

            Just as the 1889 World’s Series ended, the National Brotherhood of Professional Baseball Players confirmed rumors by announcing yesterday that its members – including many of the game’s star players — would form a third major league, the Players’ League, in 1890.  The new league will include a team in New York made up of many players of the champion Giants.  Another team in Brooklyn will be managed by New York’s star shortstop John Montgomery Ward.

            There also are unconfirmed rumors that the 1889 American Association champions Brooklyn Bridegrooms may switch to the National League in 1890.

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