The Wilmington morning star., 1947-02-22
Salary Terms
Not Revealed
Farmer Detroit Slugger
Changes Mind Following
3-Day Conference

Work.. Feb. 21.-UH-
Ne" run king Hank Greenberg,
h0l"e aid two weeks ago that he
"no retire from baseball because
nlsa ;dn't want to play at Pitts
he u.N reconsidered today and
bu nlad at what may be the largest
'lssr ever paid a player.
'a Th: big slugger, who will play
III" t;old for the Pirates, changed
lel' lind following a three day
bis nance with John Galbreath,
c0r+ owner of the club.
pd creenberg, whose A home runs
netroit led the major leagues
i0l season. was sold by the Tigers
isS1 p5ttsburgh on Jan. 10 after all
10 American League teams
QUIZ i;red on him. Sale price was
vs+ announced, but was believed
n. nv he around $35, 900.
/" The 36-year-old slugger admitted
was surprised by the deal,
s s mad emo other comment until
Wv q when he announced he
r.;1ht quit the game because he
l u.s "expected to finish my pro-
t la career in Detroit, but
.iace this could not be. L do not
s.s;ro to start anew in a new
environment" aa
ID with the decision, and later
y President Frank Mckinney
.arosled that Greenberg had been
'aorod the highest salary in base
tall history. That would be more
.san $50, 900, the salary received
~. Babe Ruth for two years dur
w bis career with the New York
Yankees.
In announcing Greenberg's sign
mo Galbreath did not reveal terms
NJ tbe one-year contract, but 1t
0rneared that Pittsburgh's orr
sinal offer-or a better one-Was
contained in the agreement. 1t
uill he straight salary, the Pirate
official said. There will be no
bonus.
1.-THE terms of the contract never
rorp a consideration, Galbreath
said "but Hank will receive more
fhsn he did at Detroit" His best
YEAR at Detroit brought Greenberg
SIS, 900.
Galbreath said the three days
of negotiation that preceded the
contract-signing, persuaded Green
borg TO play because the Pirates
convinced Hank that "he owes 1t
to Pittsburgh fans to continue play
ing at least another season, and
also TO clear up rumors that he
Is p~rejudiced against playing in
the National league"
Thousands of Pittsburgh fans
bought season tickets Immediately
after Greenberg's purchase was
announced in an unprecedented
flood of orders for midwinter.
Greenberg did not attend the
press conference, leaving just be-
fore Galbreath summoned report
ers to his hotel suite.
Galbreath said Greenberg, whose
home is in New York, would leave
Thursday or Friday for the Pirate
training camp at Miami Beach,
Fla.
Greenberg's reversal a d d e d
another twist to one of baseball's
most controversial deals. 1t was
reported that Walter o. Briggs,
sr, Detroit owner, ordered Hanks
disposal after reading a news
paper story that Greenberg wanted
to be traded to the Yankees.
There was bitter criticism of the
other American League clubs for
waving on the loops home run
king.
Then, Greenberg revealed he had
applied for a job of general man
ager of the Tigers, which was left
open when George Trautman be-
came president of the minor
leagues. He said Briggs had not
even acknowledged his letter.
Briggs replied that he never had
seen the letter, and that Green
pelg had no executive experience.
Greenberg's Feb. 9 announce
hlent followed that.