The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-09-30
DROPS
MANAGER BUT
DOOR IS OPEN

Pittsburgh, sept. 3O.--CUr1 lE1is
1914 status Of Manager Leo puSo
cher Of the Brooklyn Dodgers wns
left in doubt today BY one OF prssi-
dent Branch Rickey's typical ma
neuvers.
Hickey announced late yesterday
that Durocher will be given his un-
conditional release as player-nnan-
ager when the club concludes SIS
season against Cincinnati Sunday
but that Leo would have an equal
opportunity, along with other e.
pirants, to negotiate for the 5cb -
bench manager Of the Dodgers next
year.
Hickey said Durocher also would
be free to negotiate for some other
job in baseball, in radio or IN Eol-
lywood. The reference 70 radio
and Hollywood may have been de
rected at the several radio appear
ances Leo has made In the past
few months and the fact that be
has many friends among the film
stars.
When informed that as Of Mon
day he would be free agent, Du-
rocher said his "heart was in man
aging the Brooklyn team" and tl1et
he would seek the position again.
II prefer to have q manager With
out q contract" Hickey said In ex-
planning his action. II do not want
man who feels that he Is man
aging the Dodgers because he Is tied
down to q contract that keeps him
from going somewhere else. My
manager must be man who wants
to manage the Dodgers more than
anything else he wants to do.
Il have not thought Of hiring
any one other than Durocher, but
by giving him his release we will
both be free to talk about next year
without having any strings at-
tached."
Less Money?
Some baseball men felt Hickey
took the action in order to pave the
way for Durocher's return at o re-
duced salary for 1t left Leo In the
position of q man who has been
fired but can work tomorrow on the
boss terms. Others felt that It
was a typical Hickey "kid glove"
move to pave the way for q new
manager Of the Dodgers in 1874.
When Hickey took over the presi-
dency and general rnanagership OF
the Dodgers there was considerable
doubt that the fiery Durocher
would be retained as the clubs man
ager in 1913. He is not the Hickey
type" Of ball-player and the fact
that he was signed to q straight
player-manager contract last Mo-
vember indicated that Hickey want
ed the prerogative Of dismissing him
at any time with only 10 days mo-
tice.
This was Durocher's fifth year at
the Dodger helm. He was hired
under the regime Of Larry Macphail
and tn etwo men combined to give
FaatbuSh its best baseball teams.
Durocher brought the club home
third in 1888, second in 1910, gave
Brooklyn its first pennanat in 90
years In 1871, barely missed the flag
last year in one Of the closest pen-
ant races In National league history
with the st. Louis Cardinals, and
currently has the club battling for
third place.
What may be the beginning Of the
end Of the Durocher regime occurred
IN n1td-season when Leo suspended
Bobo Newsom, the BUNS" Lead
ing pitcher, for characterization
Other Dodgers, headed by the vet
eran Arky Vaughan, staged q short
strike in protest against the ac-
ton. Later Hickey announced that
Newsom had been waived out Of
the league - a somewhat left
handed vote Of confidence IN his
manager.
More Trouble
In addition to his player diff
culties, Durocher,s domestic life has
not been in line with the Hickey
scheme OF things. Last month his
wife announced that she was suing
Leo Tor divorce and the State or
Missouri filed claims against Du-
rocher for the payment Of back
income taxes.
Speculation regarding next wears
manager increased when Billy Her
man, one Of the greatest second
basemen in the league, was left off
the senior circuits all-star team
which Is going to the Pacific the
alter to entertain American troons.
1t was felt that perhaps Herman
was remaining in this country to
discuss terms with Hickey and start
the rebuilding process necessary Il
the club is to be q pennant ccn-
tander 1,avt S,aar