Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-24

1" HE season OF 1925 was big turn
ing point in my base ball expe-
riences, for it was during that
Il campaign that became a man.
ager and began to get real money
out of the game.
One might think this was the Begin
ming of great success and the vanishing
Of troubles and cares, but as things
turned out it was the beginning OF
period of trouble and disappointment
that at times had me so disguised with
base ball that I longed to quit and
retire to the peace and quiet of coun-
try life.
However, my early enthusiasm to play
ball never left me in these times and
I forgot trouble and care as soon as 1
put en- uniform. I guess that. coupled
with my desire to acquire enough wealth
to be independent. kept me going.
am convinced now that those troubles
and cares have ceased.
For time after Miller Higgins left
the st. Louis Cardinals to lead the
Yankees, Jack Hendricks, now manager
in Cincinnati, was our boss in st. Louis
Then came Branch Hickey. He was on
the job several years, and while / was
not in favor Of his methods Of playing,
teaching and training, was able to go
81
There was one time in New York
when I said something I should not
have said. as I was not the manager.
and that led to quite fuss with Hickey
in the clubhouse after the game.
Hornsby's Row With Hickey.
We were right up in the fight for the
pennant. 1t was late in the season
and much depended upon our beating
the Giants. A young collegian had just
joined us. Much to M surprise, Hickey
started him on the mound in this cru
cial contest. I think the Giants got
enough runs in the first inning to win
two or three games before we could
get the pitcher out. He was awfully
wild. said something and it started
a row.
In the Spring of 1925 we trained on
the Pacific Coast, and while we were
IN camp our president, Sam Broaden,
came cut intending to depose Hickey
as leader. At least Hickey thought so.
for him, and / did. No change was
made and we came back and opened
the season with Branch still leading.
Memorial day We played in Pitts
burgh and the following morning I still
was in bed at the hotel there when my
telephone rang and our secretary told
me Mr.. Broaden wanted to see me-
I'll go to his room as soon as can
get dressed and eat breakfast" I an
swered, never thinking that the sum-
mons was of great Importance
When I entered the breakfast room
Hickey was there and called me over.
II guess Broaden wants you to man.
age the team" he said. I've been
fired. If you don't want to take it.
wish you would put in word for Bert
Shotton." At the time, Bert was
Rickey'S assistant.
II don't want the job" was my re-
ply. Il think I'm too young to be a
manager"
Sure enough, when I went to
that he wanted me to take the man.
agement Of the team.
First Refused Big Job.
IT don't want the place." protested
told Broaden I thought I was toe
| young, and that didn't like to start
| in on such job in midSeaSon-that il
was to be manager I would want tc
| pick my own players for the positions
during the training trip.
He insisted. and asked me to call ur
my wife and talk with her about it
She told me to do as thought best.
still refused to accept. and then Hickey
offered me something which finally
caused me to take the position.
I'll sell you my stock in the club.
he said. you can have 1t for $50 900
l,l67 shares"
That made me think 1t over. Here
was a chance to be part owner in the
club. We had the nucleus of a good
team. I figured that with q few
changes we might be in the pennant
fight and that the club would earn 9
lot OF money.
learned that it was possible tc
finance the purchase of the stock. ]
accepted the job as manager. I got q
raise in salary. I bought the stock
and then found myself big league
manager, but never dreamed that my
troubles were just about to begin.
| Copyright, 1929, North American Newspape,
Alliance.)
(Next-Winnin1 the peruaufl