Evening star., 1949-02-11
Players Helped Most
Ibv Reserve Clause,
Giants Official Says
BY the Asseeioied Press

py ms %SSoCiOIeo Ffe1s
NEW YORK, Feb. 1.-THE New
York Giants today appeared less
concerned than almost any one
else in baseball about the law suit
brought by Danny Gardella, one
time Giant outfielder.
Edgar P. Feeley. treasurer and
attorney for the Giants, appeared
confident the much discussed re-
serve clause would be retained in
baseball contracts.
1T is a vital part Of baseball
Feeley said, land ] am certain nc
court would rule 1t out, under
standing that such action virtual
ly would wipe out the game as a
competitive sport"
Gardella. who was suspended fol
five years in 1916 for jumping to
the Mexican League, claims or
ganized baseball Is a monopoly
because of the reserve clause. A
United States Court of Appeals
upheld his right Wednesday to
proceed with the suit. Defend
ants are the Giants. Commissioner
A. B. Chandler. Ford Frick, presi-
dent of the National League; Will
Harridge. president of the Ameri-
can League, and George Traut-
man, president of the National
Association (minors).
Claims Player Protection.
Feeley said: The big issue that
invariably decides such matters Is
who benefits most by such a clause
and most any one familiar with
baseball law knows the reserve
clause benefits the players most
The vast majority of players
themselves realize that and are
for it. How. then, can you rule
out such a clause?
II would say that between 90
and IS per cent of the players in
the major leagues are benefited
by the reserve clause and the pro-
lection it gives them. Only a
handful of top-salaried stars
would profit if there were no such
rule and they were allowed to
jump where they pleased upon the
expiration of their contracts"
The reserve clause binds play
er for life to the club with which
he originally signs a contract un-
less he is released. He may be
traded or sold by the club at any
time without notice, but he may
not negotiate for himself.
Furthermore" continued Fee
ley, while the major leagues
probably would still survive with
no reserve clause. such situation
would virtually mean the end of
farming systems and the many
minor leagues operating today.
why, the whole structure of
the minor leagues and the devel-
opment of young players would
collapse. And who would suffer
most? The ball players, of course. y
Calls Suspensions Excessive.
While defending the reserve
clause to the hilt. the Giant Of
ficial declared the f1ve-year sus-
pensions handed Gardella and the
other Americans who went to
Mexico were excessive.
Three years would have been
sufficient" he said, "and 1 still
think that should be done regard
less of this latest development in
the Gardella case. Even criminals
have their sentences reduced"
Indications continued to mount
yesterday that Commissioner
Chandler was ready to commute
the suspensions except for the law
suit.
In Springfield, Mo-. Mickey
Owen. Brooklyn catcher who was
one of the best known players to
go south of the border, said he
hoped Gardella lost his case.
Baseball didn't force us to 60
to Mexico" Owen declared. I'VE
went because Of our own weak
nesses. Baseball needs the re-
serve clause, and while I am in
the same boat as Gardella. !
would not file suit and try and
break it"
Owen said a recent visit to
Chandler has spurred him to visit
all the major leaguers who
jumped.
Others Sign Appeal.
Every one of them except Gar
della has signed an appeal for
reinstatement. Danny is enjoying
the notoriety of his damage suit.
I hope he loses it."
Owen said Chandler was sym
pathetic and interested in his case
The law suit even came in for
an airing in Congress yesterday
Representative A. S. Herlong OF
Florida, a past president of the
Florida State League, urged in a
speech that GardNa reconsider
his action before it is too late" "
Herlong declared the case could
well sound the death knell for
the sport that has kindled the
fires of ambition In the breasts
of so many thousands Of young
Americans
Howard Edges Lincoln
P.LxL Nf.