The Apollo Of The Box Stiffs The Maroons

The news that Tony Mullane had broken his contract with the St. Louis Union Base-ball Team, and signed an affidavit to the effect that he would pitch for the Toledo Club, caused considerable commotion in (St. Louis) base-ball circles to-day. Mullane some time ago had a talk with the managers of the Toledo club who offered him $2,500, $500 in advance, for the season's play. This was what the St. Louis Unions paid him. He told the Toledo manager that he would accept this offer, provided the St. Louis American Club would release him from the reserve rule. The latter were willing to do this, and then Mullane sent back the advance money Lucas had given him and also asked to be released from his contract. Subsequently, it is said, although no good authority is given, Mullane signed the affidavit in which he took oath that he would play in Toledo next year. This is the whole and true story. When spoken to to-day concerning Mullane's action Lucas said that he had received no authoritative notification that Mullane had signed the affidavit named "but if he has done such a thing," said Mr. Lucas, "then has the time come for the Union Association to fight the enemy with their own weapons. If I lose Mullane I will have as good a man if I have to enter some of the associations fighting us."

-The New York Times, February 2, 1884

I've covered the Mullane situation before but I wanted to share this article because I really liked Lucas' quote at the end. It made me think of Bugs Bunny.