The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-08-09
RueI First
 ToQuestion Ex-Dodger
By JOHN DIETRICH Tinted Press Shorts Writer


 Cincinnati. Ohio, Aug. 9.-(UP)-l A. B. (Happy) Chandler faced his biggest decision since becoming | commissioner of baseball today ehether to let Mexican league fugi- i've Mickey Owen return to the Brooklyn Dodgers. Chandler appeared to be in no hurry about handling the touchy issue either. He turned Owen over to his adviser and assistant, Harold (Muddy) Ruel, for preliminary ques- tioning at his offices here While ne pondered the momentous matter at his home in Versailles, Ky.
 He's Sorry
 Owen. thoroughly fed up with his adventures in the richly endowed Latin loop of the millionaire Pas ol1el brothers, arrived here last night penitent and weary, but hope fuI that he can persuade Chandler to lift the automatic five-year sus- pension he is under for refusing to come back after the current major league pennant races had started. T know I made a mistake ana I am ready to take the consequence es" Owen said. But believe l may he able to convince Commissioner Chandler he should reduce my sus- pension. For one thing, the otilei players down there are all waiting to see what happens to me.
 Players Meet Mickey
 That matter definitely was not potato" for Chandler which will bring criticism upon him no matter which way he rules was made nlain in the strongly expressed sen timents of St. Louis Cardinal ana Chicago Cub players who met owen when he arrived at his hotel last night. soa Plavers from both teams crowded about Owen and asked about conol- tions in Mexico and news of other American players down there. MosI of them let it be known that they felt his suspension should not pc lifted but others were sympatneUlc. q guess you can't blame them Owen said. T suppose if l am rem stated players and fans will give me o11ita A beating. But I'm not worried because Americans always give a fellow who does the right thing break" Owen said that shortstop Marty Marion of the Cardinals, one o1 the most outspoken players against ms reinstatement, probably would 1eeI differently if pitcher Max LaIller returned to the Cards from Meaco. Marion disagreed.
 "Nobody,s mad at Mickey Marion said. It Is just the principle Of the thing and we would feel the same about Lanier or any of the other Cards who went down there. It's baseball law. isn't 1t? The man said five years. so 1t ought to be five years" 4. .. Pitcher Charley fRed) Barrett ot the Cardinals accompanied Owen 10 bis room and chatted awhile. when he returned to the lobby he said, He surely has sad oale' flasi he?"
 Hot Spot
 What made Chandier's decision a ticklfsh one was that even Ii ne offers leniency to Owen as bait to lure back other jumpers, there was no guarantee that they would come hack 10 the majors-nor was there any assurance that all of them them would be welcomed back. At least one team, the New York Giants, went on record as officially firing every Mexican league jumper with statement that none would De permitted to come back even il giv- en opportunity.
 Moreover, president Horace Stone ham of the Giants said in Phoenix Ariz.. yesterday that the majors should definitely boycott Owen.
 The players who got all the Mexican league gravy should not be allowed to return to organized oase- ball immediately when they see the grass on the other side ot the DOT
 tn CnT