Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-25
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAW BY FRANCIS s1ANN
Then the Pros Took Over


tee in Room S6 of the old House Office Building Then
call for the pros. They stepped Eddie Yost, Robin
Roberts and Jerry Coleman and struck mighty blows
on behalf of baseball as it is now.
The clause is necessary Yost Roberts Cole
man agreed True, they feel that players held
down in the minors too long and they wouldn't mind having
voice in choosing the commissioner But by and large
they see no great injustice in the game.
You had to like the way replied to Counsel Julius
Sngman who at point asked IF there
clause would still play for the Senators?"
ball and Yost knocked it out of the park
Eyes" Eddie promptly answered. Washington signed
me when was IT, The Senators gave opportunity.
like Calvin Griffith tremendously The fans have been
good to me-"
The suspicion that another type of reply was ex-
pected Anyway Counsel Sngman brought the question
Of club payros I'VE have records showing Washing
ton has the lowest team payroll in the League
he reminded Yost.
us THAT MEAN SALARY fgure?" Yost asked. you
know, statistics fool you. The Red sox for example
are bound to- have bigger payroll Washington doesn't
have big star who makes 100000 year Boston does
League player representative that Washington pays the
average balplayer as much any club
Yosts loyalty admittedly touched the subcommittee in
GLIDING Chairman Celer who seems a bit anxious to pin
something on baseball.
Would you say all balpayers a majority :.
are just as loyal as yourself?" Singman asked.
We'll don't know" Yost replied. In my I'm
not married and maybe shouldn't say this . but
What do you think. Mr. Coleman" asked Singman
Coleman the smooth one well dressed and articu-
late If the four-year plan put into effect" Yankee
Coleman replied crispy ord Frck last week had men
toned that it might be possible to limit the
in the minors to four years. Il think that after length
of time players loyalty would rest with finances rather
than the heart"
STAR WITNESS COLEMAN evoked nothing but admra-
on not only from Representative Heating who is defend
ing sports but from Celler, Uncle Will Harridge Warren
Giles Griffith and the rest of the cast in Room 346 Roberts
was adequate and Yost touching Coleman was coolly
analytical Opposing limit the tenure of the reserve
clause Jerry at one point submitted this possible situation
Let us suppose that after 10 years a balpayer were
freed OF the reserve clause" Coleman said I'm thinking
IN terms OF hypothetical case Let's that after 10
Ralph Kiner when he playing for Pittsburgh suddenly
found himself free agent
Let's that at the peak his career he was free
to sign with the Yankees Dodgers and did Well what
happens in Pittsburgh? Kiner happened to be the one
star who made the turnes click The would boycott
baseball; 1t would ruin withdraw that say would
hurt Pittsburgh"
Coleman later said IF withdraw the clause
without substituting something good better the rich
viii still be rich and che poor will stay poor"
THE THREEsoME Coleman, Yost and Roberts . .
were sympathetic toward the cubowners problems but
they weren't mandy pamby either Roberts freely admitted
that he'd heard "a few players" complain of the reserve
clause Yost agreed that he knew leaguers who
were held down" too long, and Coleman more or less
wrapped 1t up when he said
There isn't anything to keep any club from building
up The whole history Of baseball from the turn of the
century has been one of men behind empires Mccraw
OF the Giants Mack of the Athletics Rickey and
Breadon at Brooklyn and st. Louis Ed Barrow and
George Weiss of the Yankees There's nothing to prevent
all clubowners from winning don't say they all don't try
but some are well better organized"
In the background Griffith temporarily wore scowl
to match his jowl Then Jerry added
TO my mind there should be limitations on individual
initiative That's the American way of life"
oth
Coleman concerning the reserve clause
lts calculated risk" Jerry conceded when you sign
contract you gamble op making good"
But isn't II one-sided?" asked Counsel Singman "The
player CANDLES but the cubowner doesn't" He seemed 10
think ne had this point neatly tied in a bundle
i wouldn't say that" Coleman smoothly replied az
got 20 900 bonus for signing The Yankees were gambling
on me- too" e