This was written back in 1889 and reviews the spectators in Chicago. Fans were called cranks and croakers.
There is that about a Chicago baseball crowd which pertains to no other city flying the American flag. The spectators are divided into clans and factions. Section “A” In the grand stand represents the smoking division, which is frequented by the high-toned cranks who pull for Chicago with teeth and toe-nail. The left wing of the bleachers, which is immediately adjoining, is also populated with friends of the home team, but between this division end section “A” there exists a never-ending feud. The bleachers resent the high, white tiles of the section “A” gentry, and the latter regard the unwashed multitude on the free seats with lofty commiseration. On the right field bleachers sit the enemies of the home team and the friends of every visiting club. The badinage between these divisions something terrific. From the seats in right field Anson is continually called a “lunk-head.” a “duffer” and an old “soak,” while visitors are lauded lo the skies. On the other side of the ground the thing is reversed. ‘Go put on your mask and hide your face,” said one of these worthies to Buck Ewing. “How is it you are without one?” replied Ewing. Anson was guyed unmercifully, but the old man bore it with the patience of a saint.
