Evening star., 1948-01-07
Battles May Lose Job
As Hickey Takes Over
Brooklyn Grid Team
BY the A,,esiutsd Pros,

NEW YORK, Jan. branch
Hickey, who usually has his hands
full with the Brooklyn baseball
Dodgers, had the Dodger pro football
franchise of the American Con-
ference today, but whether he would
keep 1t was problematical.
The announcement that the
Dodger baseball interests had ac-
quired the football club. while not
unexpected, took room full Of
writer's somewhat by surprise. They
had come for what was expected to
have been full-dress interview
with Leo Durocher, returning Of
ficially for the first time since his
reinstatement as pilot Of the Dodger
ball team.
As for whether or not he will re-
tain the football team, Hickey had
this to say:
II understand that there are peo-
pie of responsible caliber who are
interested in operating the franchise.
II they can guarantee continued
football In Brooklyn and prove ac-
ceptable to the league, I will give
them one year rent free"
At his Coronado (Calif) home,
Jonas H. ingram, conference COM
missioner, said he welcomed the new
ownership.
Ingram Welcomes Rickey.
"Any organization headed by
Branch Hickey will be competent
and successful both on and of the
field" Ingram said. "This gentle
man is a genius in the promotion of
sport to please the public. The
acquisition Of such an outstanding
character will contribute greatly to-
the development of pro football IN
America" h
Players on the Dodger football
roster automatically become prop
erty of the new ownership, but IT
appeared that Coach Clif Battles
would be released. 4
Hickey told the writer's who
jammed his Office that he was "ap-
pointing you as committee OF the
whole to agree on a coach. II you
can agree on one man give you
my word we will hire him."
The Dodgers under Battles, one
time star at West Virginia Wes-
leyan and later with the Washing
ton Redskins of the National Foot
ball League, won three games, lost
10 and tied one last fall.
Bill Cox, former president Of the
football Dodgers. will have no active
part in the new ownership, al
though Hickey said he was relying
upon anybody who can help us
line up talent"
Hickey said he understood that
Harry Gilmer, Alabama star, who
was on the Dodger draft list, had
been signed by the Washington Red
skins. Asked about Charley Conerly,
Mississippis passing ace, hickey
merely said, "He's on our draft
list"
Robinson May Be Shifted.
Then 1t was Durocher's turn, and
the subject Of Jackie Robinson and
his playing first base came up.
IT only saw him play three games,
outside Of the World Series"
Durocher said. II do think he is a |
better second baseman than a first
baseman but that doesn't mean he
will play second base. AS Eddie
Stanky says the place to decide
that is on the ball field.'"
Durocher said that at present
Robinson was his first sacker, and
that there were two good minor
league prospects, Preston Ward from
Pueblo, Colo, and Kevin Connors of
Mobile. Ala.
He lodged queries about where
the club would wind up In the 1948
National League flag chase, saying
well finish among the first eight"
"The club won a pennant In 1947
under Burt Shotton, who did great
job, great. Now I'm the manager
in 1948 and I'll be doing the same as
I've always done in Brooklyn, trying
to win every game"