Evening star., 1939-01-18
Sees No Chanqe
In Handling Of
Rupert Always Left
Decisions to Him
Anyway, He Says
BY GAYLE TALBOT,
Associated Press Sports Writer


NEW YORK, Jan. 18.-Edward
G. Barrow, II years old and a pow
erful character in every way, is the
new president and absolute dicta-
tor of the World Champion New
York Yankees.
AS fitting reward for nearly 20
years of service with the club as its
secretary and business manager,
Barrow was named unanimously to
fill the vacancy created by the
death last Friday of Col. Jacob
Rupert, whose wealth combined
with BarroW's baseball wisdom to
create the Yankee empire.
Though he left no explicit instruc-
tions in the matter, the Colonel
doubtless would be happy to know
that the men he placed in charge
of the Yankees at his death had
passed on complete power to his old
lieutenant. The Coloners brother,
George Rupert, declined the presi-
dental post at the meeting of the
estates directors and assured the
election of Barrow.
Leader for 40 Years.
An active figure in baseball for
more than 40 years and acknowl-
edged to possess one of the shrewd-
est brains in the business. Barrow
is the proper man to carry on the
Yankee tradition Of victory. Only
in the most important matters, like
for instance the sale of a Yankee
property, will he consult with his
three fellow trustees-George Rup-
pert, Frederick Grant and H. Gar
rison Silleck, jr.
There won't be any real change"
he said last night Il always made
the decisions, and it was very sell
dom that Col. Rupert questioned
my judgement. I think we'll rock
along about as usual. I wouldn't t
be surprised if he won another
championship this year"
George Weiss, by Col. Ruppert's
express request, will continue as
directing force of the vast Yankee
farm system which he created and
brought to its present perfection
He plans no immediate alterations
in the system.
For all his mounting years, Barrow
still is strong, gusty individual. He
was fighting field leader for many
a year before he moved into the
Yankee organization, and he prob
ably would be bad man to tangle
with now. He Is a member of the
old school of baseball. a product Of
the day when a successful manager
at least was willing to try to whip
any man on his club.
Developed Wagner and Ruth.
Barrow developed two Of the great
est stars the game has known. Honus
Wagner and Babe Ruth. He con-
siders Wagner, whom he sold for
s2100, the best ball player he ever
saw, because "he could play more
positions brilliantly than any OF
the others, including Ruth"
He managed the Babe in 1918 and
1919, when Ruth was with the Bos-
ton Red Sox, and mainly was re-
sponsible for converting Ruth from
pitcher into the greatest slugger
Of all outfelders.
Barrow was born at Springfield
ILL.,, and in his younger days fol
time was city editor of the Des
Moines Leader at $35 a week. Later
he was a highly unsuccessful soar
salesman in Pennsylvania before
turning up as manager of the Pater-
son On. j. club of the Atlantic
League in the middle COS. THAI
was where he uncovered Wagner
Played Night Game in 1906.
believe me or not, we played g
night game at Wilmington one
night in 1906" he recalls. at must
have been one of the first. We usec
old-fashioned arc lights, and yol
couldn't see any too well. Anyway
the opposing pitcher, Doc Almoe
sneaked in with torpedo nearly a.
big as baseball and threw it ur
to Wagner. Hans hit it, and a.
soon as he recovered from the ex-
plosion he started after Almoe anc
wanted to kill him. We never die
get the game started again."
AS president of the Atlantic
League for four years, Barrow
recalls proudly that he once hac
John L. Sullivan, James j. Corbett
and a lady pitcher named Lizzie
Arlington touring his circuit, play.
ing with first one team, then an.
other. He thought up the stunt tt
keep the league alive during the
Spanish-American War. John L
umpired and Corbett played 8
better than fair first base.
Later, Barrow was to manage
Toronto, Detroit, Indianapolis ane
Montreal and hold down the presi-
dency of the International League
for seven years before taking ovel
the job at Boston, where Ruppert
found him and signed him up fol
life.