Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-07-21
WIN, LOSE OR
GNAV By FRANCIS sTANN
4 Never Left Cleveland

FORTUNATELY" BOB TELLER candidly testified
before the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee signed
Illegally :"
would you explain?" Senator Kefauver asked.
~ farm boy in Iowa." Feler said. "A
named Slapnicka signed for Cleveland. 1t against
baseball law for big league team to sign sandlotter
Only minor league clubs could sign amateurs except
+. collegians.
Il supposed to report to Fargo of the Northern
League. Actually, left Cleveland pitched
in organized ball except for Cleveland"
Teller, who looks dozen years younger than &c.
paused. Them if anticipating a logical question: he
explained:
-r say fortunately was signed Illegally because if
had reported to Fargo might never had made the
grade to Cleveland All those night bus jumps His
voice traied off.
THIS LISTENER, who we'll remembers the awkward
l7yearod Iowsn who barreled into the American League
nearly % ago. found it hard to believe that
with Fargo and perhaps, year with New Orleans would
have prevented phenom such Teller from reaching
the majors Yet it might have happened. Feler him
self called up the possibility.
Testifyng in the Senate Caucus Room the retired fire.
baer did not specify what else might have discouraged
him. aside from the bus trips all low leaguers must
endure But he might too have afoul of nept
ager one who might not recognize the diamond in the
rough and who might have changed his style.
At 16 and II, fresh off farm outside Van Meter
young Teller sensitive pumpkin who faced the
future uncertainty ana might nave et h0meScK the
farm and the pillow more than Cy Slapnicka, who
from scout to assistant to President Ava Bradley of
the Indians the strength of Feers discovery,
nized that his future star might spook So he took
unique measure.
Slapnicka and Steve oNeill the field manager did
not allow Teller to live in Cleveland. He moved the
boy to country spot outside the city Roy weatherly
outhelder, assigned to live with him. So
Hub Stone, nonpayer.
LAST WITNESS DURING the baseball portion of
the antitrust sports hearng-pro football this week.
followed by basketball and hockey-Feler asked by
Senator Kefauver if he had been a bonus player.
II got three autographed basebas for signing" said
Teller who later branded big bonuses to untried young
sters ridiculous
Even without a bonus Teller probably made more
money than any pitcher in history But he could have
made much more Do you remember the story? It's DID,
yet somehow it seems timeess.
"T was born 20 years too soon" Bob told Senators
Kefauver and OMahoney. To-day might have received
big bonus" But what he didn't tell was that he might
have signed with the Yankees Red Sox Tigers for
much as $25COOO before he pitched a ball in
American League game.
And probably, it was an utterance by Feler that
prevented this bonanza trembling outburst made in the
chambers of Judge Kenesaw Mountain Lands then
missioner of baseball.
sLAPNICKA RECKLEssLY THUMBED his nose at
baseball law when he discovered Teller He falsied the
IeCOIuS uldb were tuIueu Judge LdnolS Office he
made it appear as if Teller had the uniform Of
both Fargo and New Orleans
Il never left Cleveland" Teller testified Capitol
Hill
The open and shut cover up" quickly detected
by Lands The Des Mones club of the Western League
filed the first protest arguing that Feer had been sought
NY its own scouts in 1885 Landis stern man, called
young Feler and his dad Bill, to his Office.
Feller had never pitched in a regular season game
but he tagged for greatness because an exhibition
he Inui mails Ju Fail
pitched the middle three innings and his manager oNe
caught him.
After two innings ONell, fine catcher in his day,
quit with bruised hand In those three innings Teller
Continued on Page ALI, Col. 2