Evening star., 1933-04-29


M cially the battle of Griffith
Y Stadium is a closed Incl
dent. But fines plaStered
on the veterans of that offensive,
their suspension and the warning
given the clubs that further flare
ups of their feud will bring more
drastic punishment, do not ease
the tension between the Nationals
and the Yankees.
The enmity is genuine. The fight
ing that interrupted the game in the
Capital last Tuesday was natural con-
sequence Of a bitterness that has been
brewing the last two years, bitterness
not to be softened by edicts of league
executive.
The conduct on the field in the cur
rent series more closely scrutinized than
usual by the umpires, acting under ex-
press orders Of the circuit chief. Ma
tionals and Yankees have effected
temporary truce. But series to come
Public reaction to President William
Harridge's disposition of the affair is
favorable While heavier punishment
for the brawlers was anticipated. the
f1ve-day suspensions and 500 fines i'm
posed upon Buddy Myer and Earl
Whitehill of the Nationals and Ben
Chapman of the Yankees are regarded
fair and just. 1t was generally felt
that the American League head could
not condone rufflanly conduct on the
playing field, but the average fan did
not want to see inflicted a penalty so
severe it might intimidate players and
rob the sport Of much of its color.
All seem satisfied with Harridge'S de-
cision except the two clubs involved.
Each naturally blames the other for the
f1are-up in Washington and each thinks
1t took a worse beating than the other
in the punishment handed down. Ma
tionals and Yankees aren't saying much
now. but there's a smoldering resent
ment in both camps that will blaze
high when famed by furry on the
ball field.
A FEW hours before Harridge an
n nounced the penalties yesterday
the clubs and players involved
feared the league president would go
three-giving each 30-day suspension
and $1,000 fine, such as was handed
Bill Dickey, the Yankee catcher last
July after he swung and broke the jaw
of Carl Reynolds, then Washington
outfielder Yet as soon as all hands
concerned were told what had been
done, there was much shaking of heads
by club officials who found fault even
with the light punishment.
Clark Griffith, president Of the Ma
tionals, had a grievance. Il am making
no protest" he said. But do believe
Chapman was the cause of all the
trouble and feel that he should have
drawn a longer suspension than Myer.
I don't think anything should have been
done to Whitehill. We are taking a
two-to-cne beating in this case, it
looks to me-"
Col Jacob Rupert, owner OF the
Yankees, would make no statement,
but Joe Mccarthy, their manager, con-
tended that Chapman should have
drawn no suspension, but said he was
quite willing to let matters stand on
the presidents verdict"
Joe Cronin, Washington's boy mana
ger. was pleased to learn the suspension
of Myer and Whitehill were short, but
still insisted that Chapman was at
1duIL III LIle IlllA-up.
Myer expressed the sentiment OF
the three punished combatants when
he said, The president of the league
has made his decision, and it Is not
for me to make any comment"
WITH the notice of suspension and
w fine that went to both clubs.
Harridge said he warned Nationals and
Yankees that the i'll feeling which has
developed between them must not break
out in another scrap. And the warn
ing goes to the six other clubs In our
league" he added. I'VE all want ag-
gressive. alert play, but rowdyism must
be stamped out. The next case OF night
ing, if one should come up, will not be
dealt with so leniently."
In his decision. Harridge found
Myer. Whitehill and Chapman equally
guilty of rowdyism. ''Myer was to
blame for kicking Chapman, Whitehill
was guilty of addressing Chapman i'm
properly and Chapman was at fault in
not passing up Whitehilfs remarks
under the circumstances" said the
league president. He stated that he
got no report from his umpires,
Moriarty and Geisel, that Chapman
had deliberately spiked Myer.
As the suspension is retroactive,
dating back to Wednesday, Myer and
Whitehill will be available for duty
at the outset of the Nationals West
ern invasion next Tuesday. Just as
well, perhaps, that they could not be
used in the series in the Bronx Park.