The President of the Springfield, Mass., Club pays Joe Blong the following compliment, which will doubtless please that player's friends in this city: Mr. J. M. Blong: Dear Sir-On leaving our club, it gives us great pleasure to certify to your general good conduct with us as a man and a player. You certainly have done yourself and our club credit, and my best wishes go with you for your success in the future. Very truly, L. J. Powers, President Springfield B.B.A.-St. Louis Globe-Democrat, September 15, 1878
Blong had signed with the Springfield Club after his troubles with the Brown Stockings in 1877. Between 1875 and 1877, he had bolted the Reds, been expelled from the Stars of Covington, and was accused of attempting to fix two different games while with the Brown Stockings. Blong's reputation had taken a beating over the previous three years and not all of it was his fault.
It amuses me to think of Joe Blong carrying this letter with him from club to club, asking for a job, and saying "Look, it says here I'm not really a bad guy."
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