Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-11-16
THE BASEBALL
BEA T

sY BURTON HAWKINS

Inc Advocates About race
NEW YORK, NOV. 16-The Savoy Hilton, scene Of the
American Leagues formal feudng tomorrow angry
Commissioner Ford Prick making noises which
dicate he will side with the National League and prevent
American League expansion next season. forcing the cir
cult to wait until the National League prepared oper
ate in Houston and New York
II don't know where we stand" declared Hank Green
berg after twohour conference with Joe Cron Ameri
can League president "The commissioner is taking
new position For five years. he has told he for
pansion Now we're about to expand and he's against It,
"This is between the commissioner, the American
League and the National League still have my stock in
the Chicago White Sox and I'm not going to suffer If
don't play in Los Angeles next But also that
there will be no baseball in Washington for year."
Greenberg, who would dispose of his White Sox hold
ings and operate the Los Angeles club the American
League functions with 10 teams next year. added This
looks like from the National League We pay the
Commissioner much they do. Personally don't like
being second-class citizen.
sz~ aHH
FIVE MONTHS AGO when I told the commissioner
what was doing about expansion he said, Thataboy,
Hank, stick with it. Now all we hear what can't do.
Why not hear what DOE He has been the advocate
Of expansion Where are his bueprints?"
It was only 10 days ago. when apprehension was
expressed that things might get snarled and Washington
would wind with baseball next season. that
ing messages came from many quarters including the Of
ice Of Representative Celer The latter didn't like the idea
of skipping and said He's Capitol Hills watch
dog over the sport
Now there for Prick saying he won't
approve invasion of Los Angeles unless everything is prm
and proper knowing full well that there's chance of at
tanning harmony between the leagues on that point.
Speaking at the Yankees Old-Tmers dinner in Au-
gust Greenberg continued he commissioner said both
Los Angeles and New York territory and city
was entitled to as much baseball as its fans would support
Los Angeles can support two clubs but Walter Oalley
CLOS Angeles Dodgers owner is most unhappy because
want to come into Los Angeles.
80 OMaley gets Frck, Lou Carroll (National League
lawyer and Warren Giles National League president
fly out there. Now told Los Angeles is not open.
There Is question Of ndemnities. We have obtained
the of the Coliseum We have acceptable hackers Now
it's up to the commissioner to give the go-ahead"
$50
THIS HAS BEEN BUILDING for long time. During
the World Series the National League held sessions
including plane and voted to expand to Houston
and New York. The American League incensed
being beaten to the punch in Houston, which is rated
fine source Of supply for dollars.
So the American League owners got together. Whsk,
there went the Senators to Minneapolis Paul. But new
group would take another franchise in Washington
and furthermore the American League would plunge into
Los Angeles prime National League territory. And the
American League said would play in 10 cities in 1861
wait until 1862 like those National League sisses.
Prick didn't like the pickering between the leagues and
he didn't relish the haste with which the American League
was moving But, after a conference with Cronin and
Giles he became enthusiastic about the prospects Of the
American League pulling it of.
Then Tricks trip to Los Angeles accompanied by
National League officials Then apparently pres
for Prick isn't saying the things he
saying two weeks Now he's saying As of the moment
the American League has right to into Los An
geles."
IF HE CLINGS TO THAT reasoning, basing it a rule
he has the to amend simply by voting with the
American League baseball will vanish in Washington for
There's frightening aspect for if this sort of
vengeul politics is carried to extremes it could be
time before major league baseball is played in Washington
or Houston and just long before the American League
wedges into Los Angeles and the National League prizes into
New York again.
1t could become gigantic grudge and any pontihcat
ing by Prick to the contrary is guesswork The American
League can say to the National "Okay boys block
from getting into Los Angeles and we'll keep you out
OF New York next fall The rule which Prick is
so ussy about presumably would apply in that event,
unless another fip-fop is forthcoming.
Prick asking for trouble than he may know how
to handle he vetoes American League expansion for next
year he'll be embarrassing eight clubowners who also
his employers He also will be mourning the wrath of Con-
gres which has heard him proclaim many times that he is
an advocate OF expansion that it's inevitable, etc.
Now that expansion be attained quickly, there's
switch The technically that didn't exist few days ago
when Prick was all popped up about American League
chances OF succeeding in its speedy venture all
important rule Now everything has to be neat and tidy
and lly-white-just the National League loves it,