Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-03-04
Plans for Trade
Dropped;
Signing Likely
Mickey Clears Up
Stond, Never Meant
To Ask $40, 500
By Burton Hawkins
Stor Staff Correspondent

Much of the bitterness connected
with Mickey Vernon's salary
squabble has been caused by a
complete misunderstanding and
it's likely the Senators first
baseman and his bosses will set
tie their differences shortly.
Vernon, the leagues leading
hitter. today declared his re-
ported demand for $40.500 a
misunderstanding" by Vice
President Calvin Griffith and
said he probably will confer with
young Griffith today in an at
tempt to reach an agreement.
II never asked for $40. 500"
Mickey said, land I'm not any,
ious to be traded. I don't know
of any manager I'd rather play
for than Bucky Harris"
Trading Plans Dropped.
The club today dropped it's eff
forts to trade the 36-year-old
star and extended an olive
branch.
Clark Griffith. president of the
club. issued the following state
ment:
THE Washington Baseball
Club has approached other clubs
of the American League con-
corning the possibility Of trade
for Mickey Vernon, and none Of
the clubs contacted has shown
any indication that it would be
willing to give up a player Of
sufficient value for him. There
fore. it is hoped that Vernon will
come down in his demands so
that We can again talk to him"
Calvin Griffith said that four
other teams had been involved
in the trade discussions. Today
Joe Cronin, general manager of
the Red Sox. informed him that
the Boston club had decided not
to make a deal for Mickey. since
Manager Lou Boudreau has de-
cidec to Ego along with what we
have"
Earlier. Vernon, who has been
working out for three days with
the Rollins College team. said
Calvin misinterpreted his salary
request when the Senator's off,
cial told reporters Vernon was
asking double his 1859 salary
plus a S2.5o0 bonus.
Better Deal Than 1896.
What I told Calvin was that
I want a little better deal than
they gave me when I led the
league in 1896" Vernon said.
'"They raised me from $4,000 to
$50. 900 and gave me a $4,000
bonus. Calvin thought I meant
that I wanted my 1858 salary
doubled. plus the bonus. What
meant to convey was that !
wanted an $1,000 raise and a
bonus. My only demand in talks
with him was for $35, 900"
Asked If he was through talk
ing with his bosses. Mickey said,
III probably see them at the
golf course today"
Vernon said he will play in
the Senators annual mixed two
ball screwball tournament today
at Dubsdread Country Club. He's
paired with Marlene Stewart.
Rollins student who is an accom-
plished golfer, in an affair which
ends the Senators golf playing
for the season.
Vague About Demands.
Calvin admitted he probably
misunderstood Vernon. For some
time young Griffith protested
that he could not find out what
Mickey wanted. Late last week
the two parties huddled and the
SAC. 500 demand was announced.
Then the Griffiths started serious
efforts to make any respectable
trade for the veteran.
Mickey asked for a better deal
than the last time he led the
league" Calvin said today, but
never mentioned a figure. I as
sumed he was asking for double
his 1858 salary, plus bonus.
Several days ago when I talked
to him again he said he wanted
$685. and I took that to mean
he had come down $500 in his
demands"
Actually. it turns out that YER
non has been trying for $685. 900
all the time.
They're still $4,000 apart, but
much Of the acrimony that crept
into the maneuvering has sub
sided.
Il think you can see my side
Of it," Mickey said. Every time
I pick up a paper I see where
some ball player who didn't have
the year had was signed for
$4,000 or so. After all. I've led
the league twice and think I
deserve to be paid accordingly. ="