Fascinating handwritten letter from Chief Bender to D.A. Fletcher who was organizing a barnstorming tour for after the 1910 baseball season. Fletcher’s tour was ultimately nixed by the National Commission who ran baseball at that time. The players’ frustration with such control over them led to the formation of the short lived Federal League in 1914 and 1915.

Bender’s letter is dated September 21, 1910 on stationary from the Colonial Hotel in Cleveland. The A’s were in town to face the Naps on that date. Interestingly, he includes his measurements to have his uniform tailored for the tour.

The Eddie Collins letter also in the Collection is regarding the same proposed tour.