IN THE NEWS: Cleveland signs Holy Cross star Louis Sockalexis to a contract. Sockalexis, a full-blooded Penobscot Indian, soon earns the admiration of Spiders fans with his phenomenal all-around skills. Before long, baseball fans start referring to the Cleveland team as the "Indians." Although Sockalexis will only play parts of three seasons due to acute alcoholism, the nickname will be revived in 1915 and become the club's official name.
IN THE NEWS: Brooklyn president Charles Byrne and treasurer Abell set a major-league record by offering $100,000 for the entire Cleveland franchise. The offer is rejected.
IN THE NEWS: Cleveland president Frank DeHaas Robison proposes that NL teams chip in to pay the 1896 salary of New York star Amos Rusie, who refused to play due to a contract dispute. Robison and other NL officials want to avoid Rusie's lawsuit, in which he seeks free agency. Although New York president Andrew Freeman vehemently opposes the NL plan, the $3,000 payment is made and Rusie rejoins the Giants.
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