Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-06-17
BY HARRY HEMMANN

BY HARRY HEnMANN
Generosity is another name, be
slowed sincerely, for the late
Frank Navin. He was more thar
the big boss of the Detroit club
He was personal adviser 10 many
of the Tigers and assisted then
in the solution Of their numerous
personal problems.
After a fortunate season at bat
was called TO the front office
Mr.. Navin had read where / haC
agreed to accompany an all-stal
group of transformers 10 Cuba
Larry Graver. then road secre
tary of the Boston Red Sox, wa!
promoter.
l sensed bad news. He waste,
no moments.
els IL true, Harry, about your
going to Cuba:" The reply
was yes.
OLD DOGS, NEW TRICKS
II wish you wouldn't co." he
continued. After n hard sea
son you need a rest. Havana Is
n bad place for ball players.
One of my old clubs was there
once.
ut was reported TO me that
George Mullin, Edgar Willetts,
Eddie Summers and the Others
spent their time swimming I'm
the harbor with the sharks.
never slept until they returned.
1 don't want to go through that
again."
My studied reply was. "Mr
Navin. l am receiving $1,000 an,
expenses. That's hard TO resist.
Here's n proposition" coun-
tered +. j. 'If i give you $500
will YOU call of the trip to
Cuba 2"
with great pleasure" said I
and picked up the club check for
that sum.
MIR. NAVIN RESPONDS
At home, a few hours later
came a telegram reading. "OwinI
to unsettled political conditions il
Cuba, trip called off. Sorry
(Signed) Larry Graver."
In my jeans was a check 70
$500 for NOT going to Cuba
when l could not go even if i
meant saving my life.
What became of the check? Fo
a few days l carried it around
then stopped at the baseball office
Mr.. Navin had heard. He waited
for some time TO note if / men
toned the item.
Believe it or not. I offered
back. Keep it," he said, "yo
showed goodwill agreeing not I
go. so consider ii bonus for
good year."
SYNTHETIC HOLDOUT
During the winter of 1922 tn,
Heilmann family roamed Cali
fornia, no permanent address. jus
going places and seeing new sights
The Detroit contract did no
catch up with me as we managed
TO stay jump ahead of the for
Warding address. Returning Il
Detroit Washington's Birthday.
was astounded to find / was get
ting 24-Sheet billing as a holdout
Unless in my sleep l had no
discussed baseball with any one
AS a synthetic holdout, l called
without appointment, on Mr.
Navin TO talk contract.
Thought you retired" was
his cool greeting. "Well, let's
get this over. The club leaves
for the South next week"
As Uncle Frank started to un
wind, asked him to let me lool
at a blank contract form.
wanted TO note changes, if any.
signed my name, placed the form
on the desk. arose TO 60.
$50 I'm a holdout," l used as
an exit speech. Mail me my
copy: let your conscience be the
guide"
FTNESSE WINS
Two days later my copy came
1t contained a $1,000 raise.
The next year at the annua
conference. the first thing saiC
was. "Mr. Navin, may 1 look at
blank contract form, to see 1
there are any changes
IN o YOU DON he
snapped. "T'll fight you for this
one. You finessed me last year.
i couldn't sleep for n month
after / wrote In that raise :"
l went back al no such salar,
boost. Mr.. Navin had fun signinI
his players.