New York and Reserve Clause John Montgomery Ward
john montgomery ward baseball card, 1887
ward graduated columbia law school in 1885 , led players in forming brotherhood of professional base ball players, first sports labor union. ward , players had become frustrated owners reserve clause, allowed them sign players one-year contracts , not allow them negotiate other teams when contracts expired. players felt owners had absolute power. @ first, players had success, gaining freedom negotiate other teams when asked take pay cut current team. in october 1887, ward married actress helen dauvray.
in 1888, after giants had finished first in national league, , had won playoff series known today world series , played st. louis browns of american association dauvray cup , named after ward s wife. ward , group of stars headed off on barnstorming world tour. owners held winter meetings, , created classification system determine player s salary. under system, player earn $2,500. giants sold ward washington nationals record price of $12,000. ward furious , left tour early. demanded meeting owners, , said refuse play washington unless received large portion of record sale price. washington refuse payment on transaction, nullifying deal.
the owners denied ward s request meeting discuss new classification system, saying there no talks until after upcoming season. though ward , union fought hard these issues, did not distract him or giants team hit .299 , helped giants capture second straight world series title in 1889.
amidst ward s commitments ballplayer , union organizer still found time third occupation, of author. 1888 book, base-ball: how become player, origin, history , explanation of game first published effort explore baseball s development roots.
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