[RMc]

The death of American League president Ban Johnson shook the foundations of the AL -- and all of baseball -- to its core. Charlie Comiskey, the old star pitcher who now led the Chicago club, agreed to step in to head the league, and the NL quickly realized he was not as militant as the unfortunate Johnson.

So, NL prexy Albert Spalding met with Comiskey in a hotel in downtown Chicago, hoping to hammer out a peace plan. Spalding first suggested an outright merger, which Comiskey rejected. "We want the two leagues to be equals," the AL man said, but Spalding said no. "Well, what if kept the leagues separate, but invite teams from both leagues into a Temple Cup tournament?"

Coincidentally, the NL had secretly decided to expand the Temple Cup playoffs anyway, from two to four teams -- all from the National, of course. Spalding made a counter-proposal: "I'll do you one better, Charlie. What if the top American teams had a chance to actually play in the National League?"

Comiskey blinked. "You mean, the NL would have 14 teams and the AL would only have ten, Albert? I don't see..."

"No, no, Charlie. Both leagues would have twelve, every year. The top two in the AL would replace the bottom two in the NL. And, say, five teams from the National and three from the American would play for the Cup, every year."

The AL prexy's eyes narrowed. "Are you saying the American League would be in a subordinate position?"

"Not at all," Spalding smiled. "In England, they did the exactly same thing with their football leagues. Better that than trying to destroy each other."

"But why should the National be in charge?" Comiskey demanded.

"We've been a going concern for a quarter-century, Charlie. We've had many great players, great managers, great owners...including you."

Comiskey laughed. "You old son-of-a..." The AL boss shook his head. "I'll have to think about it."