Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-07-19
Both Major Leagues
Eye San Francisco
And Los Angeles
By the Associated Pres.


silent but bitter. behind the
scenes battle is brewing between
the National and American
Leagues for Los Angeles and
San Francisco as possible new
clubs.
The rival circuits. convinced
the major league map is due for
an extensive revision in the near
future. are casting covetous eyes
at the two maintstays Of the
Pacific Coast League with their
combined population Of 6 mil
lion.
The American League, through
Del Webb. co-owner of the New
York Yankees, already has sent
out feelers to the coast with a
suggestion that the st. Louis
Browns and Philadelphia Ath-
letics be moved to Los Angeles
and San Francisco.
The National League has said
nothing for publication. How
ever. it has been learned that
the National League has been
discussing the possibility of NOV
ing the Phillies and the Cincin-
natl Reds to those California
cities.
Denials Are Expected.
This is supposed to be top
secret. Prompt denials are ex-
pected. But the American
League already knows Of the
Nationals intentions and is going
to make a determined try to get
there first A committee made
up of Webb. Tom Yawkey. Bos-
ton. Spike Briggs, Detroit and
Charles Comiskey. Chicago, al
ready has been appointed to ex-
plore the Pacific Coast situation.
Each league feels that the addi-
ton Of Los Angeles and San
Francisco would make it the "su-
perior" league.
The American, its pride hurt
because Boston's Braves beat the
st. Louis Browns tc Milwaukee
last March. feels it can get back
its lost prestige by grabbing off
Los Angeles and San Francisco.
All agree that the cities cannot
be separated. one going to the
National and the other to the
American. That would create
serious transportation problems.
Webb told reporters in Gin
cinnati at the All-Star game last
week:
"The National League is all
set. It got rid of it's weak sister
by transferring Boston to Mil
waukee. Now it is up to us to
get Los Angeles and San Fran
cisco into our league"
There is no question that the
addition of two such populous
cities would strengthen either
major league tremendously-at
least from an attendance stand
point. Latest census figures
show that Los Angeles ranks
third in the United States with
a population of some 100000
and drawing power of 1855. 900.
San Francisco. including it's sur
rounding Oakland area. has a
population of a little over a mil
lion and a drawing power of
2,240.0GU.
Baltimore in Picture.
On the other. hand. Cincinnati
is the smallest city in the majors
with a population of about $780,
600 and drawing power of about
a million. Major league owners
long have contended ttat Phila-
delphia and st. Louis no longer
can support two clubs. Should
The National League get the coast
cities. the Browns transfer to
Baltimore would be considered.
The biggest obstacle in the
majors plan to move to Califor-
mia naturally is the Pacific Coast
League. The Pei owners, aroused
by Webb's bold statement, have
been alerted to get ready for an
invasion. and will hold a war
council within the next two
weeks.
We're going to fight any at
tempt to take our territory away
from u.s." said League President
Clarence Rowland. i've no
doubt Los Angeles and San
Francisco are major league cities.
But so are the other six. We're
all in this thing together. We're
working our way toward big
league status now and we'll
achieve it if they'll let us alone. p"
The majors have a staunch
ally for their expansion program
in Ford Prick. The commissioner
has been contending for some
time that serious thoughts should
be given to such cities as Hous-
ton. Montreal. Baltimore, Dallas
and Kansas City, in addition to
Los Angeles and San Francisco