The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-08-15
Prick Praises Ruling Of Chandler

Cincinnati, O., Aug. 15-(UP)-| There was no place in major league baseball today-nor will there be for the next five years-for exDodger catcher Mickey Owen or any of the other players who left to seek their fortunes in the Mexican League.
 Baseball Commissioner A. B. Happy Chandler made that plain last night when he issued a reitera- tion of an earlier ruling that all Mexican League jumpers were auto matically suspended for five years.
 No evidence has been shown to the commissioner that would alter his opinion on the suspension of players who jumped contracts in or ganized baseball" the statement said.
 Claims Case Different
 Owen, who fled from a lucrative Mexican League contract in an ef- fort to regain catching job with the pennant-seeking Brooklyn Dodgers, had hoped that he would be given amnesty by the commis Sioner because he had not actually been under contract to Brooklyn when he made his jump. Contend ing that his case differed from those Of other jumpers because he went directly from the Navy to Mexico, Owen emphasized that he would be in a good position to per- suade other jumpers to return if he received lenient treatment
 Chandler, who refused to meet Owen personally despite the fact that the catcher made special trip to Cincinnati to see him. was not here at the time the official an- nouncement was made His secre- tary, Walter Mulbry, merely stated that Owens formal request for re- instatement had been certified to Chandler by National League Pres 1dent Ford Prick and that there was nothing that the commissioner could do for the catcher. Chandler was at Wichita, Kan, to participate in the opening of the annual National Semi Pro Baseball Congress.
 The ruling against Owen was ex- pected to halt any 'north-of the border" exodus by other Mexican League players, particularly Luis Olmo, who applied for reinstatement to the Brooklyn Dodgers through a friend in San Juan, P. R. Olmo Standout wartime Dodger out fielder and infielder who has diff culty with the English language, reportedly asked the friend, Jose Otero Suro to write letter to Chandler stating that he wanted to be replaced on the eligible list and permitted to petition for a re- turn to organized baseball
 Wife Denies Story
 However. Olmo's wife denied heat edly in Mexico City that her hus- l band, star performer for the Vera cruz Blues, had sought reinstate- ment.
 There seems to be a deliberate campaign to embarrass as many Mexican League players as pos sible," she said. Louis and I are very happy in Mexico and he in tends to stay here to finish out his contract"
 Prick expressed elation in New York over the Chandler ruling, He said that he had submitted with out recommendation" Owens re- quest for reinstatement.
 Chandler did the proper thing" he said. Tt certainly was a good ruling"
 Neither Branch Hickey, president of the Dodgers, nor Manager Leo Durocher would express comment on the decision, although both open ly had hoped that Chandler would rule favorably on Owens petition for reinstatement.
 President Jorge Pasquel of the Mexican League said he felt that justice had been done in keeping Owen from returning to the majors, but that he still wanted to get back the S26, 900 he says the catcher owes | him from salary advances,