The National League's Pittsburgh Alleghenys, realizing Bierbauer's absence in the Athletics lineup, soon became determined to sign him at all costs.

Alfred Spink, the founder of the Sporting News, wrote about the incident in his 1910 book "The National Game".

The Athletics, upon learning of this deal, objected to Bierbauer's signing and stated that he should return to the A's, since that was the team that employed him before his defection to the failed Players' League.

An official for the American Association also objected to Bierbauer signing with the Alleghenys and called the act "piratical."

Alfred Spink would go on to call Bierbauer the "one-time king of second basemen", a great "all-around player" who dominated both the National League and the American Association.