The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-18
FINISH FIGHT
IN KELLEY CASE
n Brien Order Has Brought Long
Continued Strife to a
i Focus. IL.
BY O'Loughlin.

The overnight wires bring a cloudy morning
On the American association opening. FROM
louisville word comes that Joe d. y bFleh mas
said that Kelley shall not manage his team
from the bench in the opening game TO-DAY, ana
from other cities comes word that the bail right
will come to acute stage when the teams go
IN the field this afternoon.
There seems to be but one course open TO
Kelley now, and that is to take the tight upon
aim into the courts, even tho it be necessary 10
tie up the league to gain his rights Ihere IS
something more than the paltry release price
involved in the Kelley case, and Kelley VIII
fight it to a finish. = -. . -. a.
few weeks ago it was thought that the
matter was settled. The national commission
@intimated that if the local club put up S1,eOo,
under protest for reopening of the case, Kelley
could be cleaned up manager and as player
The local clubowners sent the money to Garry
Hermann without a days delay, showing that
they were acting in good faith. The matter
Esimmered for a few days and word came that
the price Of Keley's release from st. LOUIS
lad jumped to $780, a sum beyond all reason.
Garry Hermann was reported as much chagrlneCl
over this turn of affairs and was quoted as say
ling that while this shut Kelley off from playing
ne could manage from the bench. Hermann is
generally believed by baseball fans to be more
ST a sportsman than any other member of the
aationa1 commission. and more inclined than
ANY other to be fair to Kelley. He was eX-
soected to straighten the matter up.
4 - O'Brien Butts In.
Today comes word that OBrien has ordered
the umpire to keep Kelley of the bench at
louisville. The Indignation Of local fans is ex-
dressed in redhot terms this morning., and
Ko'Brien, who had retained quite personal popu-
Harity here despite his alliance with Lennon,
Yaavenor and Tebeau has come In for many I'M
complimentary remarks.
: The local idea is that Kelley Is being made
the subject of persecution, and this final act has
brought to him the sympathy and support OF
every baseball fan in the city. He had shown q
willingness to meet the baseball cars half way
The deal seems to have fallen thru on account OF
desire Of someone to ''do'' Kelley. While this
may go in business it does not go in sport anC
The action has been pushed so far that 1t Is
E.eacting upon those who are pushing 1t.
= There is no doubt but that if the matter is
ahrown into court the whole bondage system OF
R'organized BASEBALL will be knocked higher
than a cooked hat in Kansas cyclone. The
contract, release and reserve system Of base
pail is farcical for justice and equity to the
players, and once it is lined up against th<
.,egular law of contracts of almost any state
The baseball law will go glimmering. Kelle!
1as hesitated involving himself and the
American association in a lengthy and expensive
- litigation but there appears to be no othe
course left ooen to him.
Fight to a Finish.
O'Brien's act, if he has made the order attrib
tied to him, means the beginning of redho
light in the association. and one that may meal
he disruption of the league, the formation of
new one and a general Encouragement of west
.rn minor league baseball.
The fight the question Of the balls to b.
= lsed is a minor and business affair."
hreatens trouble at Columbus and Toledo, bu
ocal interest centers in the Kelley
L. A. Lydiard, city clerk and spokesman o
he baseball directorate, is greatly incense
ver the reported action Of O'Brien in refusing
o allow Kelley to manage the Minneapolis tear
rom the bench.
'It is an outrage" said "Lyd' today. ~
hey undertake to interfere with Kelley's right
IN Injunction will be secured without second
lelay. O'Brien in baseball politics is under tn
numb of Havenor, Lennon and Tebeau, an
lands in with that bunch
st don't care what OBrlen says. wi
lse the Reach ball, and if they attempt to kee
Eelley from the bench they will get an il
Junction in short order.
IF there is a big crowd present, tho, the
will play ball. Tebeau needs the money MOI
Than we do"