Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-06-23
h<kW WIN, LOSE OR
@DRAw ;, FRANCE. .'.''
let There Be No War

NEW YORK June 2s-sitting in his office on the top
floor of Rockefeller Plaza Baseball Commissioner Ford
Frck today disclosed what action will be taken the
summit level when third major league is proposed
81 personally will oppose it," Prick said, mot because
against expansion but because firmly believe that
two 12-club leagues would be better"
The time is closer than most people realize when
group Of big businessmen scattered throughout the country
will make formal application for the third major league
Prick knows it, saying, ANY day expect that Bill
Shea and perhaps Barney Gmbel will drop by and talk
cold turkey.
Ct don't know what plans they have in mind" the
commissioner said II have talked to Shea, but that
only when he asked me If I would declare New York
open city as far franchise concerned. certainly
will Expansion is inevitable but -"
Prick BEGAN TO JOT on a note pad. 1.-The way
would look favorably expansion he sad sis to add
two to each league by the start Of the 1861
I don't for 1O-team league. However, it would
only be temporary The four cities most ready would
be admitted ~
Then by 1868 we could add four more cities, two
to each league giving the American and National Leagues
IL clubs apiece Then. by 1865. could where
stand" r.E
"The money may be available" Tricks visitor de-
INJURED but where are the ball players coming from?
There are 400 major eaguers now. but just barely You
will need 500 players for two 12-team leagues"
I'm not worried about lack of players" Frick
replied. Thereu be plenty of them. They'll be coming
from the minors and from other countries from the
we had to supply eight clubs all at once"
BRANCH RICKEY WHO is high behind the-Scenes
figure in the third league movement, talks bithey of
being able to field eight teams at time, and
that within three years the winner of third league would
be ready to contest in the World Series Prick dsagrees
1T might wreck the entire minor league structure
he said. Further what American National League
club going to give up ball player to the third league
If that player has absolutely chance of helping at
the gate later?
Would Cal Griffith give up one of his good players
TO- say Houston If the Senators play in Houston?
II Houston is not part of the league to which he belongs?
OF course not But Houston became American League
CITY, Cal or Del Webb any other club could deal
with those people buSinesslike basis
Creating third league virtually overnight would
involve large amount of money. 1t would bring back
those fantastic and silly bonuses Worst of ALL it might
start baseball war.
Il don't say it would. mind you But do say let
there be war"
RICKEY'S PROPOSED ROUND ROBIN World Series
of the future is not to Tricks liking The venerable Branch
would make it fourdefeats- with the
the champion. Such system would require minimum
of eight days and maximum of H." Hickey recently
was quoted.
Such system might take IS days" Prick says That's
stripging it out too long"
There Is lot of meat to what the commissioner is
saying these days Prick looks upon pro football Just
See WIN, LOSE OR DRAW. Page d.