Evening star., 1945-01-27
Managerial, Night Till
Policies Continued
By New York Club
BY JOE REICHLER,
Associated Press Sport. Writer

By JOE REICHLER,
Associated Press Sport. Writer.
NEW YORK, Jan. 27.-The oft
rumored sale of the New York
Yankees. baseball's most powerful
empire, finally has materialized with
purchase of the club and its vast
holdings by one of the most colorful
combinations in the major leagues
A syndicate consisting of Col.
Larry s. MacPhail, former president
OF the Brooklyn Dodgers; Capt
Daniel R. Topping, owner of the
Brooklyn football Tigers, and Del
E. Webb, millionaire head of an
oil construction company in Phoenix,
Ariz, yesterday bought 96.88 per
cent of the clubs stock.
The purchase price was an esti-
mated $4,000, 900 for the entire Yam
kee property including the clubs
vast minor league chain comprised
in part by Newark, Kansas City,
Binghamton and Norfolk. The deal
also takes in the Yankee Stadium
and the Rupert Stadiums in New
ark and Kansas City.
Almost 400 players, 269 in the
armed services, go with the deal,
announced by MacPhail at press
conference.
George Rupert Holds Stock.
Mrs. Joseph Halloran and Mrs.
j. Basil Mcclure, nieces of the late
Col. Jacob H. Rupert, and Miss
Helen Winthrop Weynant, friend,
received $2,500,000 for their 86.88
per cent while the other 10 per
cent, representing about $500 900,
was bought from Edward G. Bar
row. George e. Rupert, brother of
Jacob, did not sell his shares
amounting to 3.12 per cent of the
stock.
While MacPhail takes over Bar
rows throne as president and gen.
eral manager Of the Yankees, Bar
row will remain with the club "at
least as long as his health permits"
as chairman of the board of directors.
MacPhail said Joe Mccarthy would
continue as manager and George
Weiss would be retained as manager
of the farm system. Mccarthy
signed three-year contract in 1914
and Weiss contract parallels Bar
rows which has three years to run.
Welfred Wottrich. vice president
of the Manufacturers Trust Co.,
executors under Ruppert's will, ex-
planned the sale had to be made by
the heirs to realize funds for ad-
ministration of the estate.
Only Bona Eide Offer
Wottrich disclosed that Mac
Phail's bid was the only bona fide
offer made after the trust company
took over in 1941. Since the death
of Rupert in January 13, 1889, there
have been many persons reported
interested in buying the Yankees.
James Farley, former Postmaster
General, and James Cox, ex-Gov-
ernor of Ohio, were among those
assertedly interested. The asking
price then was rumored as $10,000,-
900.
MacPhail, famous for his attempt
to kidnap the Kaiser in the First
World War. expects to be put on the
Army inactive list February 10 when
his leave expires. Meanwhile, Bar
row will be in complete charge of
the club.
MacPhail asserted that the trans
action does not reflect any optimism
on his part about 1945 baseball, "un-
less Washington takes away the
stigma it has unjustly placed on
4-F athletes"
- They'd better slow up a little on
4-Fs and decide what to do with
a lot of LAS they've got now"
Won't Divulge Light Plans.
In reference to installing lights
for night baseball, which incident
ally was originated in the majors
by MacPhail in Cincinnati in 1888,
the New Yankee head replied:
That may or may not be long
way off, SO there's no use discussing
1T now. For the present the Yam
KEGS will continue their policy of
playing their regular quota of night
games on the road. But remember,
1 never have and never will play
more than seven home night games
a season"
MacPhail revealed the transac-
ton also received official sanction
of the advisory council consisting
of President Will Harridge of the
American League, Ford Frick, presi-
dent of the National League, and
Leslie M. O'Connor.
In Washington, President Clark
Griffith OF the Mats said the sale
will help the sport. MacPhail is
a colorful character, has a lot of
showmanship and is the type that
baseball needs"
Football Policy Uncertain.
Asked whether Topping might
move his Brooklyn football team
from Ebbets Field to the stadium,
MacPhail replied II don't know
what Topping intends to do with
his football team. I'm only inter-
ested in the baseball angle How
ever, we're open to all propositions p"
If Topping, who was not present
at the conference; wishes to operate
in the stadium he must, under the
bylaws of the National Football
League, first obtain permission from
the New York Football Giants who
play at the nearby Polo Grounds.
BIuir Hands Sherwood
Its First Court Defect