The New York herald., 1922-12-30
LANDIS SAYS HE HAS |
NOTHING ON BENTON
But Investigates Old Charges
and Will Bar Pitcher
if Guilty.

CHICAGO, Dec. 20 (Associated Press).
Pitcher Rube Benton. recently pur-
chased by the Cincinnati Nationals from
st. Paul, will be barred from baseball IL
investigation reveals he was involved IN
the crooked world series OF 1919. Com
missioner Lands announced tonight.
Commissioner Lands is investigating
reports that Benton won a large sum OF
money betting on tip that Cincinnati
would win the series.
Benton, who called on the Commits
sioner yesterday to inquire into his
status, was told there was nothing In
the Commissioners records at this time
to prevent him from playing organized
Baseball.
Tho Commissioner. however, had
started investigating reports that Ben
ton had knowledge of the fixing" of the
1919 world series, and when informed to-
night that President Heydler of the Ma
tional League had taken steps to bar
Benton as an undesirable. the Commits
sioner said he would continue his inquiry
and probably would have a report be-
fore the season opens.
President johnson of the American
League previously had declared Benton
would not be permitted to play In his
league. He said two players had made
affidavits that Benton had told them
he had won large sum on the 1919
series. having received advance infor-
nation that the series had been fixed.
This information, Benton was alleged
to have said. was obtained from Bill
Burns and Jean Dubuc. Since then
Benton has said that he had bet only
$50 on Cincinnati to win. Benton was
dropped by the New York Nationals In
1921, ostensibly for failure to observe
training rules. After he Joined the st.
Paul club, Benton pitched winning ball.
Benton previously was involved In a
National League controversy. when he
accused Buck HerZog. then manager of
the Cincinnati club, of asking him (Ben-
tom to throw ball games. Herzog de-
MED the charge. After President Heyd-
Ter conducted an investigation, Herzog
was absolved from guilt and given his
unconditional release.
The matter of Rube Benton. left
handed pitcher. threatens to become a
celebrated case. John A. Heydler. presi-
dent of the National League. yesterday
declared that Benton had not yet been
acquired by the Cincinnati club from st.
Faul and that the southpaw could not
be inducted back into National League
iority vote, decides that it does not de-
sire the one time Giant to decorate it's
mounds once more. Here's the official
statement from Heydler:
las far as l know the deal of the
Cincinnati club with the st. Paul club.
for the release OF Pitcher Benton has
not been closed and feel confident that
it will not be consummated If the Gin
cinnati club Is advised that majority
of the National League clubs do not
favor Benton's return to the National
Leag
In some circles this statement was
taken to mean that there was a strong
sentiment In the National League favor
Ing Bentons remaining with the St.
Paul club for more seasoning. The
Rube broke into the big show with Gin
cinnati in 1910. He was traded to the
Giants In 1915 and they sent him to st.
Paul in 1921. 1t is apparent that what
Benton needs is more experience. He
has been around in baseball for only
thirteen years.