New Britain herald., 1926-12-22

! with the explanations given by both Wood and Cobb. proves beyond doubt that there was no thought of wrong doing on the part of either man. And there is absolutely noth- ing to show that the ball game was fixed"
 Leonard, who during his baseball career had served under both Cobb and Speaker. refused to comment on the case at his ranch home near Fresno, Calf.
 Were Letters Bought Leonards two letters provided a subject of considerable interest to- day. Cobb said that Leonard got S20, ,0O0 for those two letters, l un- derstand, from American league of- flcials." Asked about this phase, Frank J. Navin, president of the Detrct American League club, said he didn't know. Maybe they paid him for the letters if they couldn't get them any other way Navin declined to discuss the af- fair, saying that Commissioner Landis had the "entire matter in charge. Whatever statement he makes at this time will be sufficient. Later when I have gone into the matter more fully l may have some thing to say
 President E. s. Barnard Of the Cleveland club spoke of the regret over the episode and then added:
 Was Something Wrong
 While both Speaker and Cobb from the inception of the charge have denied their personal partici- patton in the matter, there is con- elusive evidence to prove that there was something wrong with the game in question. The whole thing Is merely additional evidence of the looeeness that existed in the game just previous to the 1919 world series"
 Forced to Resign That the impending scandal had part in the resignation of both managers, was hinted from several sources, although Cobb denied this. asserting that his resignation was voluntary. Ban Johnson, president Of the American league expressed the opinion that both Cobb and Speaker saw the handwriting on the wall and decided to pull out" Cleve- land sport writers also believed Speakers resignation was due to the impending storm and not on account of salary or friction in the manage ment of the club. Friends who quoted Speaker as saying he was willing to retire from the game in order to protect another player, suggested that the former manager might start in a law suit to clear his name.
 Likewise there was no surprise in Detroit over the case, sport writers there being aware as early as last August that Leonard had made such troit at that time with photostatic copies of the correspondence with Cobb. he was seeking reinstatement in major league baseball at the time.
 Leonard's Release
 Leonard was released in 1925 and Cobb in his testimony before Landis asked if it would have been reason able that he should gain his i'll will by getting waivers on him. Presi- dent Navin's explanation was that Leonard was let out because his pitching arm was bad. that Cobb was responsible for the move, but that others had been consulted.
 Speaker SIugged Ball
 While the controversy ragged, base ball followers scanned the box score of the game of seven years back. It revealed that while Detroit won, to 5. 1t was a hitting, fest for both sides. Cobb got only one hit, while Speaker crashed out three ground gathers in five times at bat. two of them three baggers. Speaker told 1.andis that he certainly wouldn't be pounding the ball in the manner If he wanted the other side to win.