New Britain herald., 1927-01-28
(BY BILLY EVANS)

4 (BY BILLY EVANS) Chicago, Jan. 2S.-Baseballs most dominant figure, B. B. Johnson, passes from the major league pie ture.
 The American league has given him a sick leave on full pay. It was the kindliest manner possible to bring about a severance of his re- lations as president of the organiza- tion.
 B. B. Johnson. There is some thing synonymous between the initials B. B. and the part Mir. John son has played in baseball.
 Over a period of more than a quarter of century he has been the Big Ban of Baseball.".
 Johnson created the American league. His imagination inspired it; his ability to convince moneyed men of the possibilities of a second major league made it possible.
 The Ban Johnson who passed from the baseball stage at the meet ing in Chicago was a far different figure from the man who, back in 1900, made first page copy by his very audacity in expressing the be- lief that there was room for a second big league.
 A powerful six-footer, big man literally and fguratiyely. Johnson first amused the National league by his plan to compete with that or ganization. It was too ridiculous to even contemplate.
 Inside of two years, Johnson had made such inroads on the personnel of the National league and had built up such a powerful organization, that the senior league sued for peace, which the American league dominated by Ban Johnson, dictated.
 Twenty-Five years have brought about tragic change in B. B. John son. The fighter of 1900, the man who knew no quarter, passes into baseball's obscurity mere wreck of his former self.
 He arose from his chair with great effort, momentarily tottered and almost fell, then ran his hand along the wall as if for support His legs seemed to sag beneath him as he fairly stumbled out of the room"
 That Is the picture one of the American league magnates painted of Johnson's withdrawal from the conference at the request of the club owners. It probably marked his last stand.
 It was the end of the trail for B. B. Johnson. Like all champions, B. B. Johnson, champion of prac- tically every reform that has made the game, passes on. He took the count, still fighting,
 No one individual has done so much for the national pastime as Big Ban. When he made his entry into the game. rough stuff predomi- mated, fist fights were a common occurrence, and most ball players believed profanity most necessary part Of their conversation, the um- pire being the target for most of it.
 A strict dlsciplinarian, Johnson issued an ultimatum that the rough stuff was taboo. He so instructed umpires and then proceeded to back them up.
 For long time the club owners yelled murder at his policy of stiff A,Sn pH h1yt eventually they agreed with his re- forms and give him their staunch support. The National league also fell in line with his "back-to- the umpires" theory and immediately the game began 10 get somewhere. American league, wooden stands housed all the major league clubs Today, wonderful concrete stadiums take care of the big league fans. The Yankee stadium in New York, built at q cost Of close to $3,0o0, 900, son has played in baseballs pro- gress.
 Ban Johnson's baseball career dates back to his days as sports editor of a Cincinnati paper. He went from baseball writer to league president.
 In 1893 he became leader of the Western league. Seven years later he visualized a second major league, the American, became it's president, and for 27 years has presided over the destinies of his child, for indeed the American was such.
 Baseball owes much to Ban John son. He was two- listed fighter, al ways q square shooter. He made many mistakes but always had the coura ge of his convictions He made baseball.
 Like all great men, his real worth will be appreciated in later years.