The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-01-25
Move Might
Bring Dispute

Sew York Giants nave launched .
very important trial balloon by
sending out contracts 10 some SO
players and IL it isn't punctured by
governmental rulings baseball will
breath a deep, grateful sigh OF re-
lief. Because the action was In
direct contrast TO request by
League President Ford Frick that
no club should open negotiations
until given a wage ruling by Wash
ington, the move might have ser
ious repercussions and cause hold.
out and player-club arguments
throughout the baseball world
The situation at a glance is this:
Flick and American League PreXy
William Harridge asked clubs OF
their respective leagues not TO send
out contracts or negotiate in any
way with their players until the
Economic Sterilization Office clari-
fed the position OF baseball players
as TO salary. standing, etc.
The War Labor Board has juris.
diction over players making up to
$1,000, and the Office OF Economic
Sterilization has the say-so on gen.
tlemen marking more than 5 G's.
The Giants treasurer, Leo Bondy,
however, being of a legal turn of
mind, obtained coinciding opinions
from tha New York regional boards
Of both Offices and the club decided
to lead the parade and start iron
ing out their contract problems
without waiting. for the green light
from anyone.
Bondy's action indicates the club
Is satisfied ballplayers are not sub
ject to wage freezing. II this in.
depreciation is correct II will simp.
ly be the signal for every available
big time players to sit tight and
make the various clubs meet their
terms. Married stars. with chill.
dren, who are not subject to the
draft Csp afford TO be pretty tough
in their demands, particularly IL
they had a good year last season,
for good players are as scarce these
days as smiles in Berlin.
on the other hand, il Washing.
ton should rule that baseball wages
be frozen, players who are in the
line for increases are sure to feel
they are being unwittingly victim,
lied and may react in several ways.
Some OF them who would have re-
ceiyed a good boost in dough may
even quit for defense job and
the playing value OF such individu.
ais could easily be impaired.
II the Giants are on the right
track, the average man NAV want
to know why It is a ballplayer can
get raise and he can't. We be.
lieve If the Giants ruling is correct.
the government has passed il be.
cause OF the limited career OF n
baseball player and the special ma.
ture OF his job.
Ballplayers in the majors figure
on ten year career. The average
length OF a major leaguer's career
ranges from seven TO ten years:
those that last longer, at good sal.
aries, are exceptional individuals.
Thus a player has nothing 20
look forward to except the day
when his legs no longer will allow
him TO hold his job against the
pressure Of youthful competition.
He cannot cement his Joy with sen
lorlty-each year he plays hastens
his retirement.
This fact, the special training and
ability needed - make the grade
in big league baseball, and the com
petitiye nature OF the Job are solid
arguments against any freezing"
Of wages.
Whether Washington will see II
that way or not is not yet generally
known. II would seem to the casual
observer if Sne ruling the Giant club
received from both boards was OK.
some Of the other clubs would have
made similar requests for opinions
in their own localities.
The Giants budget is supposedly