New-York tribune., 1918-12-11
lie a g lie
PatMoran s Leaning PhiIlies
Surprise TO Baseball


of the other owners put together. 1t
was his popularity with the fans that
forced the league to nominate him as
president.
Heydlcr delivered a short address
after the meeting, in which he declared
that he would do all in his power to
help bring the game back to the stand
ard that it occupied before the war.
Although Toole was not elected to
the presidency, it is now almost GER
tain that he viii be the next chairman
of the National Commission. One
owner intimated last night that Heyd-
Ter would be instructed to vote for
him at the coming meeting of the Ma
tional Commission next month in Gin
cinnati
The disposing of Moran as manager Of
the Phillies came like that well known
bolt out of clear blue sky. Moran
was one of the most popular leaders
that ever wore a Philadelphia Uniform
Furthermore, he was the most success
ful and the first and only manager to
ever win a National League pennant
for Philadelphia.
However, William F. Baker stated
yesterday that the stockholders of the
Phillies demanded a retrenchment pol
icy and that he was forced to release
Moran. This is about the same ex-
planation that Baker gave when he
sold Alexander and Killifer to the
Cubs last year.
Moran's salary last season was
$4,000. The stockholders of the club
believe this sum far too much to pay
for a manager and told Baker that he
would have to get a cheaper one. The
first inkling that Moran received that
he was to be let out was at the worlds
series games in Boston.
Killifer came to him in Boston and
said that he had heard that the Phila-
delphia team was to get new leader.
Pat, at first, doubted the story, but
yesterday Baker called him into a cor
ner of the corridor and told him the
sale story.
Charles H. Ebbets is blocking the
deal for Coombs to become the new
manager. Coombs, sometime ago, asked
for his unconditional release AT first
Ebbets demanded a certain amount
from the Philadelphia club for the
services of the veteran. But Baker de
clined to give it to him, and therefore
Coombs is still the property of the
Brooklyn team.
Ebbets and Coombs are slated to
meet this morning, and at the meeting
Jack may buy his release from the boss
of the Robins. Coombs came to the
Brooklyn club in 1915, after being re
leased from the Athletics. He did not
cost the Brooklyn club red cent.
Garry Hermann is not worrying
! about his job as chairman of the Ma
! tional Commission.
"The National Commission will take
! care of ITSELF" said Hermann vester-
/ day. II Will not lose any sleep if |
am not elected as chairman One
! thing is certain, however, and that is
Cincinnati club to retain the chair
manship of the commission"
At the meeting yesterday it was
voted to change the members of the
board of directors from eight to five
The resolution was offered by Barney
Dreyfus. The following members were
elected for next year: Hermann,
Baker, Hampstead and Ebbets In
case of a tie the president of the
league will cast the deciding vote
There was no mention made while
the men were in session of the player
limit of the schedule for next season.
1t is believed that the usual schedule
of 154 games will be adopted at the
meeting in February.
"oAH II. IdlIell resigned as preSl-
dent of the International League yes
terday. Farrell is secretary of the
National Association of Professional
Baseball Leagues and found that he
could not give his full time to the In
ternational League affairs He will
act as president, however, until his
successor IS named.
1t was said yesterday that Dave
tultz. the former president of the
Baseball Players Fraternity and now
a lieutenant in the aviation division OF
Uncle Sans army, would be the new
president
There were quite number of past
and present big league players strolling
IN Peacock Alley" yesterday. Bert
Nlehof was there. 1t viii be remem-
oered that Nlehoff broke his leg three
days after he signed with the Giants
last season. Niehoif's injured leg is
sound again and he will make the
spring trip with the Giants
Besides NiehoF. there were Mickey
Doolan, Charley Doom, Slim Caldwell
Larry Cheney, Jake Daubert, Arthur
DevIp, All Demaree, John McGraw, vii
pert Robinson and Dick Rudolph. Chick
shorten, of the Red Sox, also was
among those present. Shorten was in
uniform.
Fred Mitchell president and man
ager of the Chicago Cubs. was NOT al
lowed to attend the meeting. Charles
Veeck, secretary Of the club, represent
a. mol