The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-08-23
BASEBALL MIDDLE IS
UP TO COMMISSION
AFFAIR 4 FIASC0
FOR SYNDICATE
Has Mike Kelley, Not Proved
Guilty, Been Put on Black
list. "
BY T. r. Andrews.

ny !. r. NlOISWSs
RET Milwaukee, Wis, Aug. 23-At the hearing
of Mike Kelley, manager, and l.. A. Lydlard
secretary of the Minneapolis club, before the
board Of directors of the American association
in President O'Briens office yesterday, 1t Waa
practically to Gust the two Minneapolis mer
from baseball, but the association directors es
capped this procedure by passing it up to Gerry
Herman, chairman of the national commission.
to act 1t was voted to submit all the
testimony taken at the hearing to Chairman
Herman for final judgment.
This was done because the association dlreor-
ors claimed that Messrs. Kelley and Lyd1aro
had nothing more to do with the Minneapolis
club, having sold their stock, and that the cluD
had passed into other hands, Gus Koch OF MIL
waukee having bought it from Messrs. Watkins
and Rauschaupt AS it was necessary for an
officer to hold stock, Messrs. Kelley and Ly dlard
were considered out Of it. 49,
The question now is: VIII Gerry Herman
have the nerve to expel Kelley from organized
baseball and take the chance Of having dam
age suit on his hands. It Is evident that Mr.
Kelley means to protect himself In this matter,
no matter what happens.
Is Kelley Blacklisted7
Another point that must be decided Is this:
VIII the association raise the suspension OF Mr..
Kelley pending the decision Of the national
commission, that he can assume charge Of
any club he may do business with! Gus Koch,
the new owner OF the millers, made the state
manager Of the club, but 1t was 1ntimated at
the meeting that no association CLUB would be
permitted to engage Kelley In any way, which
means that quiet blacklist was handed out to
him. Whether Or not Koch retains Kelley re-
mains to be seen.
The testimony produced at the hearing was
very weak indeed, and would never convict KEEL
ley before any court OF law. 1t was clearly
shown that Kelley, while he had knowledge
Of what the directors were doing In the way
avit m Owens
had been betting on games, did not take any
part In the affidavit at all, and did not know
mat they had been sent to Chairman Herman
and President O'Brten until after the mailing
Of the came. He swore on the stand that he
had refused to have anything to do with the
matter for the reason that the Tebeau faction
had been after his scalp. and he was not going
to take any chances. It was shown. conclusively
{ that Mr., Lydiard had taken the affair into his
own hands and had pushed it thru; 1t was also
shown that the whole thing started from an
eitorial In Minneapolis paper about gambling
on ball games. and intimating that Umpire
Owens was mixed up in 1t.
Testimony Was Weak.
The testimony was about the weakest that
could be produced, and but for the buying of
the club by Gus Koch and the ousting from
office as result Of such purchase of Kelley
and Lydard, the directors must have found
Kelley not guilty.
1t is expected that the association will now
be in perfect accord, as the Tebeau faction has
absolute control and Messrs Watkins and Grille
will have to bow to the inevitable. 1t will also
mean that Mr.. Tebeau will have the Victor ball
at!ontcd officially next season If. he so desires
and that Joe O'Brien will be reelected for 1907
and probably longer.
Faforc leaving for Minneapolis Magnate Koch
stated that he might sell some of the stock
tn local parties here. It is understood that
Mcssrs. Watkins and Rauschaupt gave the clut
away for song, the price being around $4,000
while it placed around $4,000 at least.
Mike Kelley stated before going to his home
'This matter is not over yet. The testimony
was absolutely ridiculous and nothing was proven
at all. When a is innocent he flgh1
and fight hard That is exactly my case.
have taken oath that innocent Of the
son I am not worrying over 1t. If was guilty
would feel it keenly. However, someone will
pay for this yet"
Following is the resolution offered by Charles
s. Havenor of Milwaukee and seconded by T. j
Bryce Of Columbus. and which was adopted:
They Resolve.
''Whereas on Aug. II, 1905, under instruction.
by resolution passed by the board Of directors
at meeting held in Chicago, President O'Bne1
notified l.. A. Lydiard and NJ. J. Kelley, score
tary and president respectively Of the Mime
apolis baseball club, citing each Of them to ap
pear before the board of directors Of the Ameri
can association to be held at his office in MIL
waukee Aug. %. 1909, at II o'clock am. ant
show cause why each Of them should not b,
expelled as officers OF the Minneapolis baseball
club on account Of their conduct in filing ant
the publicity given by said Minneapolis clul
to the false charge that Umpire Clarence Owen
wagered of money on game Of baseball
between Minneapolis and Columbus clubs a
Minneapolis July 10; and
whereas, 1t was made known to the direct
ors Of this association that said L. A. Lydiar,
and said M. J. Kelley had disposed of thei
stock and holdings in the Minneapolis baseball
club and are no longer, nor either Of them
connected with the Minneapolis baseball club
and have by their action in disposing Of thei
stock rendered unnecessary any action by thi
board, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, BY the board Of directors Of tn