The New York herald., 1922-12-19
Big Minor League Magnates
Are Stunned and Market
is at Standstill.
DELAYS YANK PURCHASE
Claims on Players to Be
Turned Over for May
Is Obstacle.
BY DANIEL.

That the new rule which makes all
players sent down by the major
leagues to the minors subject to draft
had sounded the death knell of the
period of imitation and skyrocket
prices was the statement made yes
terday by John McGraw. The leader
OF the Giants added that the recent
purchase of Jack Bentley from Balti-
more--a transaction which called for
an outlay of nearly s65,000-was the
last start of the New York club in
the Extravagance Stakes. And that,
no doubt. means that the race will be
abolished.
The big minor leagues which have
been hit by the semi boycott of the
majors still are too stunned to make
a comeback. The rule has stopped all
deals pending between major and
minor league clubs-notably that be-
tween the Yankees and Vernon Of the
Pacific Coast League for Jake May,
the left handler. Vernon has asked for
Eve players, and now it wants to
know If these will be subject to draft
unless they are sold before September
10 next season. Vernon has been in
formed that it's suspicion is founded
on fact and that the new rule governs
every player sent down in any deal
whatsoever.
1t will be seen that the recalcitrant
minors are between the devil and the
deep blue sea. Vernon. for example,
does not want to keep May. 1t wants to
put up real fight for the pennant next
season and it will be enabled to do that
II II gets the players who have been
promised in exchange for May. But
next season Vernon will be confronted
with the necessity of selling it's elig-
ibles for what it can get or have them
thrown into the draft
The absolute need for the new rule
was impressed on the major league
owners at the meetings held here last
week by their failure to make any deals
Most of the big league clubs were out
looking for players and noted that
nearly all the offers included wornout
veterans whose days of usefulness in
the major show are over. There were
not enough major league players to
make II possible for an appreciable mum
Der OF trades to be completed.
Decided on Retaliation.
When confronted with the alternative
of trading IN castoffs or paying high
prices for the various minor league
stars who still were being peddled
around the major leaguers became
peeved and then roned TO che point
where they were ready to accept any
retaliatory proposition.
II became evident to the majors that
while. for example. they were complain
ing about the stand of Jack Dunn, who
has several men who are ready for the
big show. but win not sell them, the
Giants were getting ready to send three
or four men into similar servitude in
the Bentley deal. you are inconsist.
ent," the owners were told by Judge
lands. and then they passed the rule
which has the minors by the ears.
The question presents itself: How
Is a minor league club going to accept a
player under the new rule II rs league
has decided no. to stand for the draft ?
II looks as IL the five non-draft leagues
will have to settle that question pretty
soon.
Any number OF clubs want Rolev.
Bishop McAvoy, Ogden and jacobson
of the Orioles Several clubs want
Gresset and High. the Portland out
nelders. Some are after Mitchell the
left handler OF the San Francisco club.
There are other shining examples. But
these players find themselves stymied-
unable to advance in their profession.
The new rule will protect players who
are sent down and may force the five
non-draft minors to come into the fold
Huggius Leaves I'm Sadness.
Miller Higgins left New York fat
yesterday and started for his home in
Cincinanti. Higgins had a look OF sad
ness as he hit for the Pennsylvania Ter
minal. II am discouraged" said the
manager Of the Yankees. and he looked
II. "I do not think that those Chicago
folks are going 10 do any business with
us We still want Collins. but we do
not want him so badly that we are
ready to give away everybody else on
the ball club with the exception OF Eddie
Bennett, the mascot"
How about the yarn that you are
ready 10 trade Norman Mcmillan TO the
Red Sox2" Huggins was asked. 'Mc-
MILAN? Well whom viii Frank Chance
givef Might take Pennock from HIM"
and Hugglus broke into a laugh. Hug
gins also might take Ehmke. who re-
Gently was transferred 90 the Red Sox
from Detroit but u does not seem pos
Sible that Chance will give up pitcher
OF his flrs' string Go bring third base
man Ia fenWay PARK. Chance would
use Mcmillan az third. where he belongs
Mcmillan has the malkings OF a pretty
good third sacker. but with 'Dugan
around-and stlll very young--N -Norman's
chance with the Yanks is slim.
There was a tendency here yesterday
20 cast aspersions on the statement that
the Players Union has nlnety-three
members IN the American League. Ef-
forts 10 trace the movement In the
American League proved frultless. The
Yankees seem TO have been passed up
altogether. The Washington and Cleve-
land clubs also seem to have been
snubbed. Which clubs In the American
League are represented
The union differs greatly from the old
Players Fraternity In so much as tho
defunct organization relied on the strike
threat as It's big weapon. while the new
body believes that Il can attain It's OBJ
jectves through discussion with the
advisory council headed by Judge
Lands. When the players present their
demands the nature OF some OF them
are very likely TO surprise the public
and the owners too.
Davv Robertson, who was with the
Giants last season, Is reported TO be
headed out of the majors While Rob-
crtson still is being carried on the re-