Evening star., 1951-07-15
Chandler Ends Reiqn
Today, Says He Will
Fish for a While
By ,hs Associated Pres,

Chambers stormy six-year reign
as baseball commissioner ends to-
morrow. Then he becomes just[
another fan.
I'm going fishing for a while
in the quiet and calm waters Of
Gods country Kentucky, ;"
Chandler said when he agreed to
resign.
There were 10 months. to 60 on|
Chambers unfinished contract
when he signed himself out of Of
fice-to the relief of the owners
who refused to give him another
seven-year term.
Quitting at his own terms, as
he announced, Chandler win be
paid of in full of his $65 900
annual salary. He will be granted
legal protection from any suit
against baseball but will defend
baseball in the several suits
against it.
There were years Of victories
and heart-breaking defeats for
the smiling man from Kentucky
who served as Governor of his
State and in the United States
Senate.
! Shocked by Custer.
Chandler's collapse as the big
boss of baseball came as startling
shock to the commissioner, just
when he expected to be voted the
job for life.
He entered the winter meetings
at st. Petersburg, Fla. last De-
cember, confident 81 a new con-
tract and a salary boost. The
night before his scheduled re-
election. Chandler attended a
banquet.
While Chandler .dined, the
owners met in another hotel and
refused to vote him a new term.
!, Needing IL votes for reelection.
the best Happy could muster was
nine. Seven owners held out
against him.
The owners sent a delegation to
inform Chandler of their decision.
Shocked by the news, Happy asked
for another vote. His request was
granted. He lost again
!, Calling a hurried press confer
ence. Chandler announced he
was resigning at the end Of his
term because the owners failed
to vote him a new contract.
Tried to Make Fight of II.
But Chandler decided to make
la fight of it. Next day he an
nounced he would serve out mis-
term Ito the last second" conf
dent of his ability to rally the
necessary IL votes. he campaigned
for reelection.
Once more he failed. A second
Injecting of the owners at Miami
Beach last March turned him
; down. Again he had nine votes
, but not enough to win.
I Chandler announced he would
step out but did not name the
J day until June 81 after a series
of conferences with the owners
and their lawyers.
| In the absence Of a commits
Sioner. baseball will be ruled by
J; the Executive Council. composed
Iof Presidents Ford Frick of the
!, National League and viii War
ridge of the American, Tom Yaw-
key, Red Sox owner, and Warren
Giles. president Of the Cincinnati
Reds.
/ At the recent all-star game, the
committee named to screen can
ldidates for the commissioner job
announced it hoped" to elect a
successor to Chandler by August /.
Leaves with Regret.
Chandler had solid friends in
baseball as well as bitter enemies.
He left with regret, telling Detroit
fans as recently as last Monday
night, "I'll be back"
Under his regime, many reforms
were made in player-owner rela-
tions. The pension plan was
adopted and player representatives
gained the right to meet annually
with the Executive Council.
i He signed long term television
contract covering $6 million for
the next six World Series and all
star games. Some hailed this as
a sensational move. Others thought
expanding TV cables and set sales
would boost the sale value within
the snare 0f the rnYtroct