How about some "new" old judge trivia?

[Joe_G.]

After a long day of work I was hoping to see more activity on this thread. Oh well.

Zach, interesting thought but I do not think it was a conspiracy. Afterall, Goodwin & Co. was trying to boost sales by offering the public cards of their favorite players and teams. If Goodwin objected to Detroit's acquisition of the big 4 and retaliated by not issuing certain players, I think they may have pulled Brouthers, Richardson, and Rowe together with White. The main objectors to the Buffalo team purchase were the other team owners.

On a financial side note, Detroit actually did well in 1886, 1887, and even 1888 due to the sale of their players. None of the Detroit share-holders lost money. The writing was on the wall however in 1888 when gate reciepts were no longer split, injuries to Thompson & Richardson (limited playing time), and a growing resentment towards manager Bill Watkins. Detroit was forced to either disband or become a shadow of its former glory.

And the answer I was looking for to my question was 1888.