The team’s manager, Arthur Irwin, sent the following letter to the press and it was published. Washington baseball enthusiasts would shortly suffer through their 8th season under the odious ownership of the wretched Wagner brothers.
An interesting letter was received this morning from Manager Arthur Irwin of the Washington Base Ball Club, dated at Norfolk, VA. He says he has made all arrangements for the Senators to gather in Washington by March 15th, and on that day take the boat for Norfolk. The Senators’ manager says he has secured grounds at the Soldiers’ Home, at Hampton, and is particularly pleased ever the fact that the in and outfields is covered with a good growth of grass, something that few baseball grounds in the south possess. Finding a grass field has been Manager Irwin’s object ever since he left Washington last week, and he feels particularly elated over the fact that his trip has been a success in this respect. One of the greatest obstacles a young player has to overcome upon his introduction to the big league is the playing up to his full ability on a grass diamond. All the minor league grounds posses what is called a “skin” diamond, which retards the ball more than a grass diamond, contrary to the general idea. The ball is consequently easier to handle. On a grass diamond the ball skims over the ground with lightning like rapidity, and owing to this fact many of the supposed bright lights of the minor leagues have been put out of fast company, and naturally drifted back to the leagues in which they have made their greatest reputations. As a majority of the players constituting the Washington club next season are young players, the fact that they will be given their spring trying-out on a grass diamond is most important. Manager Irwin will not have to wait for a month’s playing in the major league to ascertain whether he has a team strong enough make any sort of showing against the other eleven clubs, but the month will be spent at Norfolk for just this purpose.
It is the intention of Manager Irwin to start the spring practice with Henry Davis on first, Dick Padden on second, Billy Hulen at short and Win Mercer on third. In the outfield the trio will be made up or Jimmy Slagle in left, Jack O’Brien in center and Buck Freeman in right, with Jake Gettman as substitute. Should either of the players give any indication of lack of ability to keep up with the rest of the players the Washington management will at once secure other players to take their places. Manager Irwin intimates in his letter that the Washington “fans” need have no fear that he cannot get good players in case any of the present Senators fall by the wayside. He already has lines out for several likely men, and in case of necessity they will be called to Norfolk in a day’s time. As a wind-up to his letter. Manager Irwin writes that he is perfectly satisfied with his club, and although many familiar faces and stars will be missing from the senatorial ranks the coming season, all he asks is that the Washington base ball public will suspend judgment until they see the team play ball at National Park.
How did the press view the team. Here is one view. “Senatorial infield for the coming season as follows: Henry Davis, first; Dick Padden, second; Win Mercer, third, and Billy Hulen, short. What a galaxy of misfits that is. Henry Davis is a castoff of several League clubs, Dick Padden is only a mediocre player, Billy Hulen has been tried in the League and found wanting and Win Mercer knows about as much about playing third as a hog does about preaching. He has played second and proved himself highly incapable, and yet he is to be a fixture at third, which is unquestionably the hardest place on the diamond to play. The announcement of the team’s make up is conclusive evidence that Earl Wagner intends keeping the $5,000 paid for Kip Selbach’s release in his inside pocket instead of investing it or part of the amount in seasoned players, This the local club, owner may regret before the Fourth of July rolls around. Just glance at the pitching roster of the Washington Club as it stands now: Gus Weyhing, Bill Dinneen, Frank Killen, Kirtley Baker and Davey Dunkle. It would take an x-ray to find a star among the bunch.”
Interesting write up, especially the part about the impact playing on a clay infield had on young prospects. We have not seen this issue mentioned previous to this article. It sounds like same problem some players experienced after playing on grass and then having to make the switch to artificial turf. The rest of the letter sounds like a plea for fans not to give up on the team.
Later this month, after the settlement of the Chris Von der Ahe problem in St. Louis, Michael Scanlon will later note that that the National League would soon go to an eight club league, leaving Washington without a club. Washington, he noted, was tired of baseball under the Wagner’s and would in fact be satisfied with no baseball in the city. But in two years time a new major league would emerge and Washington would be part of it.
Notice the mention of Win Mercer at third. Mercer had lost interest in pitching and made known his desire to play in the field. He would continue to pitch until 1902. He took his own like in 1903. For a team that lost 98 games in 1899 the team had some talent. Players like Buck Freeman, Bill Dinneen, Bill Coughlin and Henry Davis would be stars.
