The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-03-11
CHICAGO CUBS'
 TRYING SQUEEZE. PLAY ON LEE|
Financial Tactics of Major League Club Amazing;
 Waiver Threat Used
BY GEORGE KIRKSEY United Press Stan Correspondent

| United Press Stan COrrespOndenG
 Plaquemine, La, March II - U. P) - The biggest holdout story in baseball is in this little Louisiana town.
 It concerns, Big Bill Lee, one of the National Leagues top pitching hands, and the Chicago Cubs. Lee, bewildered and baflled by the Cubs squeeze play tactics, told me the story today and I gathered that he thinks that there is some skull- duggery going on.
 Tn two years the Cubs have slashed my salary from $20,000 to $10,000," Lee said. T should be cut but not the way the Cubs are slash- ing me. was the leagues top pitch CT in percentage and earned runs in 1888, winning 9 games. I made $20,- 900 and MT. Wrigley gave me a $5,- 900 bonus at the end of the season.
 T won only 19 games in 1889 and they cut me $2,500. Last season ] had miserable year and I expected to be cut some more. The cut was $5 GOO but when I started to dicker with them they threatened me with another $2,500 cut unless I reported at Catalina Island on time.
 Wouldn't Sell
 Not only that but they told me they had obtained waivers on me. That's what I don't understand. wrote them I'd buy my release for the $7,500 waiver price and they ig- nored my offer. Do you honestly think that every club in the majors has waived on me? Well, don't and don't understand that kind of treatment
 Lee attributes his decline last sea- son to physical ailments. Since the season ended he's had his tonsils re- moved and had major posterlor operation performed. Altogether, he has laid up five weeks.
 T know why I wasn't winning pitcher last year." Lee said. T was mt in shape. My ailments prevented me from running and keeping in condition. Of course, have to prove I can still win but the Cubs are try ing to whip me in line by making me think nobody wants me"
 Lee, who donned SpectacleS last year in mid-season got up from his easy chair and went to his trophy case where he picked up @ half dozen balls at random.
 Look at these scores,' Lee said. Reading off To, 3-2, and 2-1 games. T don't know how many of them I've pitched. was looking at my scrap book the other night and I read a story in 1887 where my rec ord in July was II won and lost Tn those nine games the Cubsmade total of five runs for me. They never got me any runs. I'm not cry ing but the Cubs management isn't being fair with me"
 Pop Speaks Up
 Lees family, his wife, two young children and father and mother, lis- tened to their son tell about his pre- dcament. Then his father said, I'm q man of the woods. l know wouldn't let Bill come out there and tell me how to run my business. But he's been up there in that baseball game seven years and he ought to know what he's talking about. If they don't like him why don't they get rid of him?"
 The strapping riehthander has made no plans 70 join the Cubs. But he's working out daily. Getting in shape for the day when he joins the Cubs or some other club. He weighs l98 now as compared with 2l5 last spring,
 T thought might go to San An tonio when the Cubs come through there to talk things over but see that they aren't playing there this year. might go to Chicago when they get there April II, then might not. I've even been linking of working down here and pitching for a semi-pro oil team. l cant make $l0 0Lo but I can save just as much ard besides I'd be at home with my family. I've done enough travelling I'm homo man at heart and sure wouldn't starve to death around here. Come on let's go to breakfast"