The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-27
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
WILL GUST HICKEY

Thomas Jefferson Hickey, who has been
president OF the American Association
since that league was organized, will re-
ceive an object lesson tomorrow at the
association meeting in Chicago on what
IL means to burn bridges behind him.
Hickey thought ne sprung a big sensation
and caused much weeping last OCTOBER
when he announced that he would resign
as president Of the organization. He even
limited that no inducements could be OF
fered that would persuade him 10 alter his
determination TO give up baseball and ac-
cept the fiattering offer TO become business
partner with Mr.. Lennon in st. Paul. he
seemed TO be perfectly ignorant of the JOY
ne had created in the hearts Of majority
of the club owners in the association by his
avowed determination to enter a private
life and by announcing his resignation at
the meeting in Chicago. A majority OF the
magnates have stood for Hickey's mistakes
as long as they want to and they hailed
with joy the chance to make change with
out making it embarrassing for T. ]. II.
But he will not escape without being placed
in an embarrassing position. Foolishly ne
has permitted Lennon and Havenor to
cause him to believe that the association
cannot get along without him and that all
of the magnates desire him to continue
in office notwithstanding the stories that
have appeared in the newspapers to the
contrary. Hickey has claimed that he did
not resign as no written resignation was
given to the board of directors and that
there is no need of an election, his contract
with the association being still in effect.
Hickey is laboring under a wrong impress
QiO nd no will ind In 90
to-day and tomorrow. If it comes down
to cases and he makes a fight for the Of
flee he will find that five clubs are opposed
to him and a new man will be elected to
succeed him. According TO a majority of
the magnates Hickey has violated his con-
tract with the association and they are de-
termined to put new man in the office. He
has given little or no attention to baseball
affairs since the close of the season and
/ has not taken enough interest in the asso-
citation TO send out the players official
/ averag es for the past season. He broke
his contract when he accepted an offer in
| another business.
Hickey has made many mistakes and the
magnates have grown tired of placing con-
/ f1dence in him. There are many instances
/ of his poor business judgment that the
] baseball enthusiasts know about, while his
/ mistakes, known only to the magnates, are
/ said to be numerous His schedules have
been source Of disappointment to the
/ club owners and have been costly to all
\ clubs. The association has an opportunity
/ to rid itself of Hickey and it should take
/ advantage Of IT,
/ The election of a president is only one
/ of the many things that Will occupy the at
/ tention of the magnates at tomorrow S
meeting. 1t will not take very long to dis
pose OF routine business, but there are 9TH
/ er matters that will receive consideration.
/ There has been some talk Of a change in
the American Association circuit for next
/ year to include Omaha instead OF Mil
waukee, but it is hardly probable that such
/ move will be made unless the Milwaukee
! club desires to withdraw Milwaukee could
not be ousted and there is no intention of
| trying 10 force the withdrawal of Hav-
! enOr's club, but should he show desire
to get out the circuit would not be weak
ened by selecting Omaha; at least several
club owners would like TO see Omaha in
! Milwaukee's place. 1t is claimed that with
| attendance would equal a majority OF the
l cities already in the association and would
| be much larger than in Milwaukee. Omaha
would also break the Western jumps that
have been costly to club owners.
The Western League affairs also will be
discussed by the mAgnates and il is prob
! able that the association may take action
| whereby equitable arrangement will be
made with the Western to VaCate Kansas
| City, thus leaving the association without
| any opposition.
The report of the past season will show
that the American Association is in a good
| financial condition. There is n neat sum
| in the associations treasury and a ma
| jOrity of the clubs have quite sum coming
to them from the emergency fund. The as
/ ISOLATION Unidentified Milwaukee against
loss because of the war with the Western
| League in that city, but Havenor has
| realized large sum from the sale of play
| ers, which will more than Offset his losses.