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Posted By: runscott

McGraw relished the opportunity to manage an AL team in NYC, but knew Ban Johnson wouldn't let that happen. Johnson planned "to ditch me at the end of the 1902 season. So I acted fast...Someone would be left holding the bag, and I made up my mind it wouldn't be me."

Giant owner Freedman wanted McGraw badly enough to pay him a record salary and give him complete authority over acquisition and disposition of players. McGraw had had enough of Johnson's league and wanted the money and accclaim that would be his if he could make a winner of the sleeping Giants.

Freedman and McGraw then conceived a complicated plot to destroy the Baltimore franchise and cripple the American League...