In July 1890, Campau was named player-manager. In late July, team owner Chris von der Ahe praised Campau as "the best captain I have ever had", "a general on the field and a gentleman off of it." Camapu compiled a 27-14 record as the team's manager but was stripped of the title in late August. According to an account published at the time in the "Sporting Life", Campau took seriously his responsibility to look after the players while they were off the field. He stayed up late, watching over the club, and fined several players heavily for violations of the rules. The fines caused dissent, and ultimately Campau's "resignation was asked for, more to make peace in the family than anything else." At least one baseball writer perceived the unfairness of von der Ahe's removing Campau for enforcing rules established by von der AheThere is gratitude for you. Von der Ahe tells his manager to do certain things and because he does it he is humiliated by being removed and a more 'agreeable' man put in his place. I know Charley Campau, and a bigger-hearted or more honorable man never lived.