Evening star., 1947-12-01
Browns Heath, Early
On Block as Minors
Gather for Session
BY the Assoeioted Pres,

MIAMI, Fla, Dec l.--St. Louis
busy Browns, richer by s425 900 fol-
lowing four startling transactions,
sought more gold today. dangling
such tasty bait as Outfielder jeff
Heath and Catcher Jake Early
among other front line players.
Among the tirst to arrive for ths
annual minor league convention
which gets under way Wednesday,
the Browns delegation of General
Manager Bill De Witt. his brother,
Charles, secretary of the club and
Zach Taylor. the new manager, al
ready have set up shop in one OF
this winter resorts leading hotels.
Bill De Witt made it plain that
others Of last seasons squad which
finished a dismal last in the Amer
lean League race are certain to
follow Vern Stephens, Jack Kramer
and others who made Thanksgiving
merry for st. Louis stockholders,
financially speaking.
Browns Not Through Trading.
eve are not through trading by
any means" De Witt said. I'VE are
prepared to trade anybody on our
roster If we feel those deals Will
improve the club.
1--WE are determined to held 4
young, speedy, hustling team next
wear. Except for Pitchers Nelson
Potter and Glen Drisewerd. whom
we obtained from the Red SoX. all
plavers will be under 20 years OF
age. Unless we get stupendous
offers we will build our team around
such speedsters as Third Baseman
Bob Dillinger and Outfielders Paul
Lehner and Al Zarilla."
De Witt said both Heath and
Earlv are on the block, and addeo
he would not be surprised III the
deals will be completed before We
leave Miami"
De Witt was not the only would
be David Harum at the minor
leagues show, which attracted such
big-time pilots as Mel OFT OF the
New York Giants, Joe McCartny,
Red Sex; Johnny Neun, Cincinnati
Reds: Bill Meyer, Pittsburgh Pirates.
and Bucky Harris of the Yankees.
New Gard Owner Attends.
Robert E. Hannegan, who recently
purchased the St. Louis Cardinals,
was one of the early arrivals. Also
here were Horace Stoneham.
Giants; George Weiss. Yankees
John Quinn, Boston Braves; Warren
Giles, Cincinnati Reds; Joe Cron1n.
Red Sex; Roy Hamey. Pirates; Hero
Pennock, Phillies, and Billy Evans
Detroit Tigers.
Branch Hickey, Brooklyn presi-
dent. was not expected here.
OFT said the Giants had two deals
on the fire, for pitcher and an out
fielder. He said he hoped the deals
could be completed at the major
league meetings in New York next
week.
Weiss, general manager OF the
| Yankees, said he would not be
forced into any swaps, but admitted
the Yanks are after another pitcher,
Evans. general manager of the
i Tigers, said he was awaiting arrival
of the Cleveland Indians contingent
and Meyer was keeping mum about
the reported deal between Pitts
burgh and Brooklyn involving Dixie
Walker, Vic lombard and Hal
! Gregg of the Dodgers and Billy Cox
and Preacher Roe of the Pirates
Triple-A Boost Opposed.
Along the business front the
American Association, through its
president and spokesman. Frank
Lane, went on record AS opposing
the Pacific Coast Leagues proposal L
for a special major minor status by
unanimous 80 vote.
why doesn't the coast quit try
ing to kid everybody. including
itself" Lane said at the conclusion
of his circuits five-hour session,
The International League, the
third of the present trio of Triple
A minors, meets today and prob
ably will follow the AA's example.
The major leagues will have the
final say as to the coasts proposal.
which contains five demands. in
cluding the right to be called Pa
cific Coast Major League and the
raising of the draft price from $lo.-
900 to s25 1000, as we'll as six years
service required