The sun., 1918-12-15
BAKER TELLS WHY
HELET MORAN GO
Released Manager Of Phillies
Did Not Have Players I'm
der Control.
IGNORED CLUB HEAD

PHnADEIPHrA, Dec. 14.--For the frst
time since he startled the baseball world
by announcing the release OF Pat Moran
as manager OF the Philadelphia Ma
tionals William r, Baker to-day gave
his reason for making tho change. He
said the owners were dissatisfied with
the manner in which Moran insisted on
the terms of the contract after winning
the National League pennant in 1915, and
also over the managers absence from
this city 1t night wteh the team was
playing at home. II Ia charged that the
conduct OF some Of the players was not
what II should have been during the
championship season, and that II the
manager had been in town he could
have learned OF this and put a check on
them. It ts alleged that Alexander was
one OF the players and that Manager
Moran was not aware OF II until II was
brought to his attention In the presence
OF the pitcher.
In defence OF his giving Moran his
unconditional release Baker declared
Moran was notified OF the intention be-
fore the close OF the season and offered
the following letter, dated August 81, In
evidence:
"Philadelphis. Aug II. 1918.
''Mr. J. P. Moran. Metropole Hotel.
Cincinnati, Ohio.
MY Dear Pat-You will be handed q
notice by Shettsline. which went In q
large envelope with n lot OF others for
the players but which I intended TO
send you separately.
"As regards 10 yourself II Is my in
tention to give you your unconditional
release at the end OF the season. a.
hAltaya WI, a IN aptitlad IN h,vf In Nn-
ing so It does not mean that our future
relations are severed. It docs mean
that you are free 10 act independent OF
any connection that you may have had
with our club II you care to do 20.
These matters we can take UP when
you return TO Philadelphia. Yours very
truly. WILLIAM F. BAKER, President"
Moran Ignored Baker.
When the Philles closed their season
| on Labor Day, according to Baker
Moran went to Atlantic City and was
notified TO come here to meet Baker for
conference regarding his future with
the Phillies. President Baker declares
that he never received reply to his
letter and never heard from Moran until
| the latter called him up from his home
| in Fitchburg, Mass, just prior to the
league meeting in New York
II waited four weeks to hear from
Moran, and then decided that had beer
treated unfairly IN being ignored, and
when Moran finally did phone me in.
formed him that II was too late, as
had mailed him his unconditional re.
( lease There was no reason why he
could not have continued as manager
OF the team. but II was not my place &c
run after him
Up to last Monday had done moth.
! ing regarding n manager for the team
but in talking II over with Presden,
| Ebbets of Brooklyn the latter asked me
to wait until Jack Coombs arrived In
| New York. that he had sent for him &c
talk over Coombs's release. which the
latter had requested. / met Coombs In
| New York. and after he had closed with
the Brooklyn club Mr. Ebbets gave me
permission TO talk business with him
which I did"
To Localize PhiIIies.
Baker said II was his intention Ia
localize the Phlllies as much as posi-.
| BILE, and that Is why he insisted that
the new manager reside here. He said
he did not believe the fans cared whether
| the president of the club lived in New
York or Chicago. but that he thought
| the manager ought TO reside here during
the playing season 80 he could keep ar
, eye on his players He also added that
no plans for the release, sale or trade OF
any OF the Phlllies players is contem.
| plated, and that II will be up TO the new
] o. a.