This fact started a sentiment in favor of a change of management.

There were disturbing elements which militated against the success of the team, and it was believed by many admirers of the game that a new leader might be able to reconcile the warring factions and get more substantial results out of the aggregation.

This was urged as a reason for the retirement of Anson.

He had served a longer term than any other base-ball player, and it was believed that he could retire on his record and give way to a younger man who would be able to secure more harmonious work.

In this opinion there was no desire to belittle the work of Anson, nor cast any discredit on his management.
His work has been such as to win the respect of every sportsman, whatever his opinion of the desirability of the change of management, but with individual players of the first class might not another manager be able to attain better results was the argument.