13 July 1899, Washington trades Jim McGuire to the Brooklyn Dodgers. McGuire is the most popular player on the roster. His exodus joins a long list of other players whose departure was done not to improve the team but line the pockets of the Wagners.
Here is the report in the press.
Managers Arthur Irwin and Ned Hanlon completed a deal this morning whereby Catcher Jim McGuire goes to Brooklyn in exchange for First Baseman Dan McGann and Catcher Aleck Smith, the players to report to the respective clubs tomorrow. Had this trade been made a month ago there is no calculating the injury that would have been done the Washington club in the matter of attendance, as the veteran is a great favorite with the local base ball public, but at the present time, with Kitt Kittridge playing superbly for the Senators, McGuire’s absence will not create so much of a void, and in his place players that are badly needed will be obtained. Negotiations looking to the acquisition of McGuire were opened by Manager Hanlon when Charley Farrell was injured some time since, and the Brooklyn catching staff thereby greatly weakened. At that time all propositions were turned down, as Jim was the mainstay of the Senatorial aggregation, but when Kittridge was secured and it was observed that he was in fine fettle and a boon to the young pitchers, a more kindly ear was turned toward the city of churches. Manager Irwin has always been a great admirer of Danny McGann, and, of course, a first-class first baseman will be appreciated in Washington. John Anderson, the big Swede, has crowded Dan out of his job through his tremendous hitting powers, and Manager Hanlon decided upon parting with him and Catcher Smith if a good return, like Jim McGuire, could be secured. McGuire has admitted that his stay in Washington has been too prolonged, and when Farrell was released to Brooklyn some time since Mac put on his war paint and did a war dance because Magnate Earl Wagner thought more of him than he did of Charley. J Earl has been blocking the deal for the past two days, as .e says it will be like losing his fifth rib to let McGuire go, but persuasive arguments on the part of Manager Irwin finally won out and the trade was completed. “Old Reliable” Jim McGuire came to Washington in 1891, and he has been anchored in this city ever since. The Senators changed hands, but Jim was too valuable an asset to let go in trades or transfers, and he continued wearing a Senatorial uniform season after season until a Washington club without McGuire’s name will look very strange indeed. Too much high praise cannot be showered upon Jim McGuire, either on or off the ball field. He has always conducted himself as a gentleman, given the club his beat efforts and, as J Earl Wagner says. “It is a pity there are not more players like Jim McGuire, as the national game would be benefited by their membership.” Outside of McGuire’s slowness in running he has but one weakness, if weakness it can he called and that is his gluttony for work. To get the best efforts out of Jim he must be worked almost daily, and a few days’ rest will impair his good eye, both at the bat and in the field. With a change of surroundings McGuire should be good for several years yet, and in that time put up exhibitions of catching that will make the younger element turn green with envy. In leaving Washington McGuire will take with him the good wishes of every baseball “fan” in the city and upon his return with the Brooklyn club will no doubt be given a royal greeting. Danny McGann is the individual that should have worn a senatorial uniform last season, but he got mixed up in the gold brick transaction with Jack Doyle, Gene DeMontreville, Doc McJames, and went to Baltimore instead of Washington. McGann played first base for Manager Irwin at Toronto in 1897, and created a favorable impression all over the country by his great work at the initial corner of the diamond. He was reserved for the Senators, but the aforesaid trade took him to Baltimore last season, where he played sensational ball, This spring he was carried over to Brooklyn in the transfer of the beat Baltimore players, and has been playing finely, the desire for a heavier hitter by Manager Hanlon finally crowding him off the team, Manager Irwin says he is a player of the brainy sort, and can be depended upon to carry out his instructions, a detail necessary for the success of the club. Aleck Smith, the “Broadway fashion plate,” the third man in the trade, is a catcher far above the ordinary, without being first-class, and will make a splendid running mate for Kittridge. He is much like “Kitt” in his work, and for this reason will be appreciated. “Aleck”‘ is a better sticker than Kittridge, but lacks the experience and knowledge of the older man. A more gentlemanly fellow than “Broad Way” Smith is not playing ball, and he is assured of a hearty welcome in Washington, Messrs. Irwin and Wagner can be congratulated upon the trade. The Senators will be strengthened at a point of great importance, and their fairness toward a conscientious player will be appreciated in allowing McGuire to join a club with possibilities, and probably be a sharer in the spoils that fall to the lot of the player on a pennant-winning aggregation.
