BROWNS MISSING, BROOKLYN WINS
Chris Von der Ahe
RIDGEWOOD, N.Y. – (Sept.. 9, 1889) Suppose they played a key game in the pennant chase and one of the teams didn’t show up? That’s what happened yesterday at Ridgewood Park.
More than 17,000 fans, one of the biggest crowds in Brooklyn baseball history, turned out for the scheduled game between the first-place Bridegrooms and the second-place St. Louis Browns. But the Browns failed to appear, claiming that they feared for their safety after the raucous ending of Saturday’s game. For the second straight day, umpire Fred Goldsmith awarded Brooklyn a forfeit win of 9 to 0.
At 11 p.m. on Saturday, Brooklyn owner Charles Byrne received a telegram from St. Louis owner Chris Von der Ahe, who was staying with his team across the Brooklyn Bridge at the Grand Central Hotel in New York City. It stated: “I refuse to allow my club to play any more games in Brooklyn.” Von der Ahe later told reporters, “Why my boys would not go over to play ball for $1,000 apiece. They were afraid for their lives.”
Byrne immediately wired American Association President Wheeler Wyckoff in Columbus, Ohio, stating: “Von der Ahe refuses to allow his club to play in Brooklyn. Please notify him that if he fails to play games as scheduled he subjects himself to expulsion. We have a tribunal to which he can appeal if any injustice has been done to him.”
To appease the waiting fans, Brooklyn played a free inter-squad game yesterday, with manager Bill McGunnigle playing for one side. Brooklyn and St. Louis are scheduled to play today at Washington Park in Brooklyn, but it remains to be seen if St. Louis will show up for the contest.
American Association Standings
Team W L Pct. GB
Brooklyn 77 37 .675
St. Louis 72 41 .637 4 l/2
Get the book!
