The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1927-02-04

tlCIp2uCn IN PROFESSIONAL DdSeb
dis, commissioner Of baseball.
lescind their Withdrawal from
serve lists of the Detroit Tigers
lively.
Cobb and Speaker appeared before
Commissioner Lands November 27.
1926, and were informed that Dutch
Leonard, retired pitcher, formerly
with Detroit, had turned over letters
ts the American league stating that
the game of September %, 1919, be-
tween Detroit and Cleveland had
been fixed. Cobb, Speaker and
Smokey Joe Wood branded the charge
s false after they learned that Leon
ard had included them as parties to
the arrangement.
Names Restored.
This is the Cobb-Speaker case"
said the decision by Commissioner
Lands. These players have not
been, nor are they now, found guilty
oi fixing a bali game. By no decent
system of justice could such a fine
ing be made. Therefore, they were
h-N- Iilt4AAN 0A4 TIC 4AAEAAA ADEE 4kSb.
AS they desire to rescind their
withdrawal from baseball, the re-
leases which the Detroit and Cleve-
land clubs granted at their request
in the circumstances detailed above,
are cancelled and these players
names are restored in the reserve
lists Of those clubs"
The decision pointed out that the
mere announcement of charges OF
the character placed against Cobb
and Speaker, whatever the person
ality or motives of the accuser, or
the scarcity or even absence OF ev1-
dence supporting the charges, would
be harmful to the accused players,
experience having shown that a vim
dication by baseball authority, based
upon a manifest insufficiency or ev-
en- total failure of supporting proof !,
had been labelled "whitewash."
while they insisted they had no
doubt Of their ability to answer the
charges" the decision pointed out,
they were concerned about the Dos
sible effect upon themselves and 9TH
ers in whom they were deeply inter
ested. They appeared to be particu-
larry disturbed respecting the situa-
ton of Joe Wood.
Why They Quit.
These considerations, as COBB ana
Speaker represented the matter 70
me, brought about their desire to
quit baseball, despite their apprecia-
ton Of the facts that such action
might be misconstrued. Inasmuch
therefore, as Leonard's attendance
could neither be induced nor enIorc-
ed, the commissioner consented that
the hearing be put over indefinitely
and 1t was understood that would be
the end of the matter, unless condi.
tons thereafter should so change z
different course.
1T was pointed out at that time
that a number of people knew or nae
heard of the Leonard charges and o.
the Cobb and Wood letters and The
likelihood of suspicion and rumors o.
retirement in these circumstance
OF two players Of such prominence
was fully discussed. And it was de
fmitely understood that in the inter
ests of all concerned might thereaf
ter require a public statement set
ting Tor the charges and the answers
The American League director
were informed to the status of tn
players and that Cobb and SpeaKe
desired to leave baseball for tn
reasons stated. Accordingly, the De
trolt and Cleveland clubs granted re
leases and the American League di
rectors rescinded their resolutio
calling for a hearing with the sam
understanding that this ended tn
matter unless subsequent 6evelor
ments should neceSsitate a hearin
and publication. Shortly thereafte
gossip and Tumor got busy. as usua'
ly tranSpires when these two kindl,
sympathetic agencies are at worl
They left in their wake variet
OF progeny infinitely more harmfl
to the individuals concerned than tn
truth could possibly be. Many pres
associations and scores of newspaper
were porsistently demanding Ii
facts Therefore Cobb, Speaker an
Wood were called to Chicago anG tn
situation laid before them.
Hearing Desirable
They all realized that untrue, oil
torted and garbled accounts were b.
ing inuendoed and agreed that hea
ing had become desirable, even vii
Leonard persisting in staying ava
Accordingly a final effort W;
made to have him attend, but aga
he refused. The hearing was he
and the commissioner at once issu,
the record for publication in accor
ance with his definite understandir
with Cobb, Speaker and Wood"