[NYY #23]

Player Strike is Imminent
June 30, 1889

The Columbus Solons and St. Louis Browns are locked in a tight battle for the American Association title. Frank "Monkey" Foreman notched his fifteenth victory of the season to lead the Solons to a 1-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles to pull in front by two games over the St. Louis Browns, who were victorious behind the arm of Charlie "Pretzel" Getzein, who picked up his eighteenth win of the season.

Over in the National League the Pittsburgh Alleghenys defeated the Washington Nationals 2-1 to increase their lead over the Cleveland Spiders to 3 games after the Spiders fell 9-8 to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Rumors of player unrest in the National League as reports continue to surface that the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players are preparing to go on strike July 2nd. A strike would jeopardize the very popular July 4th doubleheaders that have been planned around the league.

Sources indicate there are three main issues of concern that the players hope to address:

1. Abolition of the classification system.
2. No reservation for a salary lower than the previous year.
3. Absolute abolition of the practice of selling players.

During the offseason the National League introduced the "Brush Classification Plan" which was introduced by the Indianapolis owner and implemented. The plan classified the players into five groups and has greatly upset the players. Our sources indicate that a strike is imminent.