Getting released

[Hoyfan]

Can anyone here clarify just how 19th-century players got released? Were they handed an envelope from the owner (containing the formally-worded directive), or told to report to the manager's office? Exactly how was it done in those days?

Were the players being ditched given a document or letter informing them that their services were no longer needed, effective 10 days after date?

I know that "Dummy" Hoy received his release from the Cincinnati Reds in mid-season 1902, just before the team left on an Eastern trip (in the evening), which suggests that the manager handed him an envelope, and he immediately began to pack up. (He wasn't unprepared for the news, and took his leave cheerfully.) But weren't all released players given 10 days' notice?

If so, does anyone have a clear notion as to how the release was worded?

:lookitup

[TonyK]

I read somewhere that contracts had a Ten Day Clause in them saying what you mentioned. I view it as like receiving two weeks pay which was enough money for the train ride back home, or to find another team to hook on with. The players I assume left immediately after getting the ten days pay since they would no longer be paid.

My minor league research shows me that many players were released on bad teams. I am not even sure if minor leaguers had actual contracts or not. I doubt there was time to type up a letter because, as you said, the game was over and the manager told the player he was released immediately. I'm sure someone has seen an actual major league or minor league contract from the early days that can help answer your question.

This had to create tension between the team and the players. A married ballplayer had to support his family and two weeks pay left him in quite a bind.

[Brian McKenna]

once the concept of organized baseball arrived players had to prove that indeed they had been released or another club in organized baseball would not hire them - if a player sought employment in the bushes he would probably have to show documentation or the hiring process might become prolonged since information didn't travel as fast as it does today

[TonyK]

once the concept of organized baseball arrived players had to prove that indeed they had been released or another club in organized baseball would not hire them - if a player sought employment in the bushes he would probably have to show documentation or the hiring process might become prolonged since information didn't travel as fast as it does today

Good point. The Sporting News and the Sporting Life reported what players signed contracts with each pro club. Once a player was released he could quickly wire another team to ask for a job. But like you say, the team wouldn't want to get into a long legal battle with another team over a player.

Unless he was very good!

There were at least two ways that I know of where a minor league player could beat the system back then. First, he could sign a new contract under an alias or an assumed name. He would probably have to demonstrate some proficiency first to do that. Reporters even let the cat out of the bag and gave the player's real name in their writeups.

Second, he could ask his new team to pay him an advance in order for him to buy out his contract with his old team. If his new team was desperate, chances are they would do this in order to improve their team.