Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-11-17
BASEBALL
BEAT
Bill Week :. For a Better Deal
BY BURTON HAWKINS

=
NEW YORK, NOV. 17--As American League clubowners
filed into hotel suite here today to determine whether
their circuit will operate in Washington and Los Angeles
next season. there was one among them who is dreamer
an eternal optmlst braSh imp who dees conventions
he also is smart, stubborn, witty gregarious man.
His name is Bill Week. who brought zest for combat
into the conference. <w%
Veeck requires adjectves TO describe him. but they
ran short of painting the big picture is detesed
by some and adored by others He is irreyerent but
solid student of religion who embraced Catholicism after
intense study of all religions, including Buddhism and
Judaism u
He not necessarily crusader but he is competitive
to point where it's a-cOnsuming He can be abusive
but he generally graceful considerable and unpreten-
tous His uniform is the opencollar white sports shirt
and smile His conversations are penetrating and
Illuminating. ee#s
Bill is the public defender He wasn't in favor of
ueSada chiefly because he felt the Federal Aviation
Agency administrator didn't bring enough baseball
knowledge to the task of building team in Washington
ne ant relish the forces Of John Bergen, the retired
admiral moving in from New York, SO he decided to
hghts TO give Washington what in his opinion was a
better deal g'S,
IT HAS BEEN BRUTAL battle and, as this is
written there hint of whether Veeck will be
full in installing his choice Jerry Hofberger or per-
haps ast-minute replacement in command of the base
ball club in the Nations Capital There's knowledge
if Veeck ultimately will come to Washington Hofberger
or substitute is successful acquiring the franchise
But If Bill comes to Washington. fun is guaranteed.
i. Veeck is tireess. He'll work IS to 90 hours a day.
He shrewd His behind maneuvering regard
less of the outcome today has been fascinating soe
times frustrating weeks-long campaign The campaign
mas extracted the utmost from fellow who gets his
exharation from being obstinate clever calculating
individualist.
Coorful? There's nobody quite like him. All he knows
is how to please baseball FANS even that means giving
poorly situated seats to powerful cubowners-as Bill did
IN the 1859 World Series after his White Sox won the
pennant Veeck had the satisfaction Of knowing he
UhQ hod
the year. ~ 81
There could be selhshness in his motivation He long
mas telt washington is an untapped gold mine from
baseball standpoint. Certainly the city could use some
OF his ingenuity and fooshness with team coming
n but ne also has good thing going for him in Chicago
So
ANYWAY, VEECK HAS BEEN negotiating for weeks
now, aiming to install his group in Washington Since
Bill is practical, it would be sods operation geared
toward success. Since he is imaginative it would be
backed by responsible but fun-lovng people willing to
lose now in order to win later.
Starting out, Bill had only his vote functionng
for him. Aligned against him were the Cronin- backed
Quesada and the Yankee promoted Bergen opposi-
ton formidable and perhaps won't be overcome in
todays vocal ussing There's admiration for Veeck put
ting in restless nights and intrigue packed days trying
attain his objective.
Until the owners walked through the door leading to
their deiberative chambers, Bill still maneuvering
hghtng uphill struggle As long he maneuver-
ing there had to be respect for his chances He could
be defeated but his opponents would recognize the
behind his strategy.
What Bill had lined up couldn't be revealed because
OF embarrassment to prominent people in the event he
failed But his formula would be good the CITY, The
man has enemies perhaps strong enough to block him
IN this instance, but he couldn't less He triggers
toward target of what he believes to be the best method
and, win or lose, he'll make his presence felt
VEECkS BREAKFAST baseball, the awarding of sway
packed horses 1OOpound chunks OF ice and his other
zanness made Milwaukee then in the minors fun spot
But with the crazy stunts blended asuteness The
nght Bill took over the Milwaukee club there "a fans
IN the stands The following year the team finished a
game out of first place. then won the pennant three straight
years while setting minor league attendance records
lhls was no fool trying to do Washington favor,
perhaps only because he abhors the Yankees
Bill has studied at length and with perceptve mind
accounting law and architecture He can discuss acting
art or literature intelligeny Baseball is his business
ana ne ooeS well at as testified by pennants at Cleve-
SeeEBASEBAIJ REAT pape n