Arizona republican., 1911-07-15
NEW YORK GIANTS
WOULD COME TO PHOENIX
BECKER HAD BEEN HERE BE.
FORE.
Would Like to Locate . Baseball
Team.

Secretary Harry Welch has turned
over to David Goldberg of Goldberg
Bros. a letter received from Beals
Becker, now of the New York Giants,
who bid fair to capture the cham
pionship of the National league, in
which Becker expresses q desire TO
locate a team in Phoenix the coming
winter The letter, following the an
nouncement made in The Republican
by Eddie Doyle yesterday TO the effect
that an agitation is on foot to give
Arizona two or three months of high
class ball this winter, is of more than
passing interest. Becker was with
the Wichita team, champions of the
Western league, when that team was
imported by Goldberg and others to
represent Phoenix in a series of games
played several winters ago Becker
writes:
L am taking the liberty of writing
to see if you will consider a propo-
sition for a baseball club in your
city this winter. The reason l am
writing to you first. in preference to
other cities. is that / consider Phoe-
commercially. but as a winter resort
/ do not think it can be equalled any
where. l know. because / played
there during the winter of 1907.
Mr.. David Goldberg of your city
was behind our club that winter, and
think l can safely say he lost moth
ing by the undertaking, and was per
fectly satisfied with the team, with
one exception. The last game we
were accused of crookedness without
the least foundation, all on account
of a party who had been manager of
the local club, then being ousted for
another manager and a better brand
of baseball. OF course, as il is in
all cases, after making the remark, it
spread, and some believed it without
the least foundation. I would like
to install a club there with your help.
and 1 know it will benefit all parties
concerned and the city as well. Would
like to hear from you on the subject
right away and would like to answer
all questions you may wish to ask"
The letter is signed, "Beals Becker.
New York Giants, 143 West 129th
street, New York city"
Mr.. Goldberg stated yesterday that
in his opinion a winter league for
Arizona would be of immense benefit,
to the cities which might
be interested. He agreed fully with
Doyle that Phoenix, Yuma. Douglas
and Tucson would be an ideal circuit,
and also indorsed the idea of secur-
ing. if possible, the four teams win
leagues. Goldberg. however, substi-
tuted the Western league for the
American association. He said:
Becker is within the facts when he
states that the team made its own
way while installed in Phoenix four
years ago. / am in favor of anything
and everything which will benefit the
city. l do not think that there is any
question about a big rush of tourists
and investors this fall and winter,
and something ought to be provided
for their amusement. | propose to
get in touch with Becker at once He
is n great player himself. is well ac-
quainted with conditions here, and
ought to be able to offer some valu-
able suggestions. The presence of a
" lAilliilS team NOAlih bS ii SRlfilhlu
vertisment for the city in itself. and
Phoenix as a winter re-
sort. II may not be practical to i'm
port four championship teams intact,
but the effort can be made. A series
Of games fer the championship of the
four minor leagues, to be held during
fair week, i'm the morning or just be-
fore the races each day, would. / be
lieve, draw thousands of additional
visitors. The matter will be taken
up with the directors. I believe, with
out delay. Anyhow. the baseball agi
tatiOn is on. and something good is
almost sure to come out of it. !
agree with Eddie Doyle that no spirit
is healthier than a clean sport spirit
Winter baseball. such as being agi-
tated. would surely create it,"