The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-04-19

BASEBALL AS A BUSINESS
is WHAT MAKES DAhQUEIS
LIKE THAT OF LAST NIGHT
The Commercial Side of the
Game Was Emphasized
BY Speakers
NAvIN-YAWKEY HONORED
President Navin Is Presented
With Watch Fob by Ad-
miring Fans
By RALPH L. YONKER.

Baseball as a game Is what we rave
about; baseball as business is what
builds 100000 plants like the one
that Is to be dedicated at the corner
or Michigan and Trumbull-aves., when
ever the weather man gives us a
chance.
Baseball as game is what you
read about; baseball as a business, is
what pays the salaries OF those who
write about IL.
Baseball as a game is what closes
desks at an early hour in the after
noon, and fills the stands with howl
Ing mobs Of peanut eaters and pop
bottle throwers: baseball as busl-
ness was what brought 400 business
men 20 the banquet given by the
Board OF Commerce last night, at the
Pontchartrain in testimonial or what
Frank ]. Navin and William III. Gaw-
key, owners OF the Detroit Baseball
club have done to aid this city.
The business Of baseball, aside from
making money for those who own
the clubs playing the game, is to ad-
yertise the cities that have teams
representing them. The banquet last
night showed with what respect mod
ern business men look upon Jennings
team as a promoter OF publicity for
Detroit.
Now while there are thousands or
bugs who see baseball from only one
angle, that of a sport, you may rest
assured that the Board of Commerce
Isn't going TO extend itself as 1t has
simply for the sake of boosting a mere
Aae. Pc vtN G
Belle Isle, its automobile industry,
and other things too numerous to
think OF in the short time allotted the
writer to produce this story, but 1t
can safely be said that none of them
Is such an advertiser for Detroit as
the Tigers.
A city may get its reputation large
iy from its baseball team. Just TO con-
vince yourself that this is SO, II you
have not looked into the advantages
A of st. Louis, Missouri, what sort OF
an opinion have you of the place?
Sort OF a second-class city? Why do
you think so? Because 1t has Sec
ond-class baseball team?
Dare say you had just that opinion,
subconsciously fixed into your mind,
suggested by baseball clubs. AS a
matter OF fact, St Louis Is one OF the
finest cities in the country, they tell
us.
What If 1t had no team at all in
the major league? You would hardly
think of 1t in the same class with the
cities In the big leagues, probably.
It Is this forming of public opin4on
without the public's even suspecting
that its ideas are being formed for 1t,
that these boosters of the Detroit
Board of Commerce are watching.
Baseball as business was the
theme of last nights speeches. Play
ers were almost forgotten, except for
general mention. The names of 4y
Cobb, Sam Crawford and Oscar Stan
age were the only ones mentioned
during the evening.
or course, Hughie could not be for
gotten. But he was spoken of as
manager, rather than a player.
It was fitting and proper that the
business men of the club should re-
ceive all the recognition of the even.
ing. for II was for them that the ban
auet was given. But had it not been,
there Is little doubt but that the
spirit of the gathering would have
been the same, teeming with bust.
ness.
In the matter of publicity, however,
players as individuals are very, very
Important. Pennant winning is OF
first Importance Players are next
The Tigers undoubtedly get more
mention in the newspapers and maya.
zines OF the country than any other
club because they have Hugh Jen.
nings and Ty Cobb, Sam Crawford
DOME Bush, Delahanty, Stanage, Don
ovan, Mullin-they all help, too.
For once In his life, Mr.. William n
Yawkey, called Bill last night, was
brought into the edge of the lime
lieht. He lodged out OF it when
some of his enthusiastic friends cried
for a speech from him. Mr.. Yawkey
4 has a lot to do with the success OF
the Detroit Baseball club, but the
readers OF the public prints would
hardly know anything about it for he
Keeps away from publicity.
When President Navin was present
ed with a watch fob by Judge George
p. Codd in token OF the esteem in
which the Detroit fans at the banquet
hold him, he generously shunted the
honor of the success OF the Tigers 10
his Associate.
NERVE was all had" said Mr.
Navin. bill furnished the rest"
But Mr.. Codd did Mr.. NavinIustice
he gave him well deserved praise for
his industry, his business ability. and
lis courage in guiding the Tiger shiI
through the Universities that had be
fallen IL to its present haven in the
~fnest baseball park in the land"
How the business side of baseball
vas kept 10 the foremost is showr
ven by the speech OF August Herr
mann. or .Cipcinanti. chairman OF thu
Nationnl <omfiission.
He divided the benefits OF organ
lied baseball into three divisions
First. the protection OF capital In
vested in it: second, the protection o
he players: third, the protection o
the cleanliness OF the sport.
Orranixation protects the men VIII
are Hiiling 10 risk their money in tn
1amc. Baseball. like any other cold
hooded business. demands security