The Washington times., 1934-11-03
J John HEYDLER
FORCED To
RESIGN
BY FRANK BUCK" O'NEILL
Times Staff Writer


The resignation of John A.
Heydler as president Of the Ma
tional League was accepted with
regrets by the board of directors
yesterday. This writer rises to
express the fervent hope that no
crocodile tears were shed over
the retirement of a good and
faithful servant of organized base
ball.
Mr.. Heydler, we are informed,
resigned because of a breakdown
in health. He insisted that the
league find new chief eXecu-
tive, and the league bowed to
his wishes with real sorrow and
true reluctance.
It was the merest coincidence
that Mr.. Heydler's health
snapped to a degree where he
had to retire just a few days
after he was quoted as saying
that during the last three weeks
of the National League season,
the pennant contenders had been
kept under strict but secret sur
veillance.
When the statement was
broadcast throughout the land,
men wise in baseball arched their
eyebrows and waited for the
repercussions that were bound to
follow. To even intimate or infer
by the slightest word or sign that
there was even the remotest
chance for skullduggery on the
diamond is hereSy in its most
Virulent form.
Most Reprehensible Conduct
Such action on the part of
anyone would be most repre-.
hensible in the eyes of the con-
stituent members of the National
League. Coming from the
leagues own chief executive it
was intolerable. It was consid-
cred, no doubt, grounds for i'm
parchment. 1t may have been
considered cause for punitive &C.
ton. In any event, John Arnold
Heydler, who gave his life to
baseball, is no longer president of
the National League. His resig-
nation was accepted with "re-
grets."
Knowing John Arnold Heydler
as the writer has known him over
a period of years, the writer can
accept with fullest sympathy his
statement that he watched the
closing phases of the National
League pennant race.
He didn't say nor did he infer
that the world was prepared to
howl unto the high heavens when
the Cardinals played the Cincin-
natl Reds in the last four games
of the season. I can tell the dear
old National League that this
writer's desk was Uttered with
mail from fans who declared the
race was a barney.
Reds Willing Traders
It is known to one and all that
Cincinnati has long been sympa-
thetic trader with the Cards. Leo
Durocher, who played promi
nent part in winning the National
League flag, was obtained from
the Reds when no other team
would give st. Louis the players
needed to win a pennant. There
have been several deals between
the two clubs-all strictly ethical
that established the friendly re-
lationS existing.
Although it grieves this writer
to think that Mr.. Heydler might
actually be i'll: too i'll to continue
his duties as president of the
league, hope that actually it is
illness rather than punitive action
that caused his resignation. He
can regain his health. But blow
to the spirit of this conscientious.
honest man might cause his death.
John Heydler was a printer and
employed in this city before he be-
came identified with baseball. He
umpired, then became a stats
tician and finally, in 1902, was
called by the late Harry T.. Pull.
liam to serve as secretary of the
National League.
Heydler Becomes President
In 1909, when Pulliam met
swift and tragic death, Mr.. Heyd-
Ter acted as president of the
National League. Thomas Lynch
and John Kinley Tener were
elected as presidents of the league
in succeeding years, but in 1918
Mr.. Heydler again was chosen as
leader of the league, and he re-
tanned his post until yesterday.
Although soft of speech and
mild of manner at all times, no
man had a higher courage in lis
convictions than John Heydler.
He was a staunch supporter of
Commissioner Kenesaw M. Lands
at all times, and administered the
affairs of the National League
wisely, efficiently and with justice