Franklin Pierce Adams’ famous poem “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon” appeared in The New York Evening Mail in 1910 and immortalized Chicago Cubs shortstop Joe Tinker, second baseman Johnny Evers and first baseman Frank Chance—within three years, the above cartoon appeared in newspapers along with a new, less well-known, poem written by Adams’ colleague at The Evening Mail, James P. Sinnott.
By 1913, baseball fans became aware that Tinker and Evers had barely spoken to each other since 1905, and the rivalry among the three exploded in public. The former teammates, now all managers, Tinker with the Cincinnati Reds, Evers with the Cubs, and Chance, the recently deposed Cubs manager, with the New York Yankees.
In February Chance told reporters that Tinker was a better player than Evers; Evers responded and accused Tinker of trying to “tamper” with pitcher Larry Cheney and other members of the Cubs, as for Chance he said:
“I do not know whether Chance is jealous of my getting the position of leader, and I do not like to think so, but from the remarks he is making, I am forced to.”
By March, Hugh Fullerton said in The Chicago Examiner that Evers was unable to control his players; he said “Chance could whip any man on (the) team—Evers can’t,” and predicted a fourth place finish for the Cubs (they finished third). Tinker’s Reds finished seventh in the National League; Chance’s Yankees were seventh in the American.
Sinnott’s poem appeared at the end of September:
“A Manager’s life is tough!
Said Tinker to Evers to Chance—
‘A manager’s road is rough!’
Said Tinker to Evers to Chance—
‘Here are we three, a lookin’ on
The big world’s series game,
In which we once were principals,
In which we gained our fame’
‘A manager’s life is no cinch!’
Said Tinker to Evers to Chance—
I’d almost as soon be Lynch!’
Said Tinker to Evers to Chance.”
“Lynch” was Thomas Lynch, who was about to be replaced as president of the National League.
It would not be until 1924, shortly before Chance’s death that the three reconciled. Chance had been hired to manage the Chicago White Sox, but became too ill and returned home to California; he was replaced by Evers.
Chance summoned his former teammates to California that spring, where the three spent several days together. Chance died in September. Tinker, Evers and Chance, were inducted into the Hall of Fame together in 1946.
Tinker, Evers and Chance
Baseball History Daily 
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