Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-03-08

Teller Discusses
Money,Whot Else?
By MORRIS sIEeEL


scoTTsDALE,' AR1zr MAR. S.-The Red sox are
fortunate in having couple Of topght advisers at their
spring training camp here Ted williams was summoned
to instruct the players hitting Bob Feler self-nvted
counsels them on what to do with their money.
Alumnus williams confines his savvy exclusively to
the Red sox. Teller doesn't This is only one stop on
financial circuit ride which will take in every spring
training camp from here to Florida
Teller is in the investment connseing business In
Cleveland. He is eminenty successful but doesn't ask
prospective clients to believe him. He shows them to what
extent he has managed his money. 1t is considerable
The smart listen" Teller says "The others aren't
going to make it, don't bother with them too much.
They want get-rich-quick scheme tell them the
only way know is to out and become the best ball
player in the world That usually takes about 20 years.
FROM TELLER THE players can buy insurance stocks,
bonds, retirement plans annutes and take fer at real
estate if their minds that field The only thing he
gives them free is advice, and not much Of that
The motto, he says is make money" In his lifetime
which has reached only "A years. the srkeout record
buster has made ton.
At time when Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays are
being heraded financial Hall Of for crashing
the 100000 barrier, Teller is content to rest on his
moneymaking ability He had six straight seasons where
in his income "easiy in six figures" 1t included
baseball pay from Cleveland plus transforming and
Endorsements.
In 946 when he struck out S48 to set the record he
also tattooed another mark which only Internal Revenue
for $4,000 for me- he revealed His total income from
all baseball was "far more than a million" he
said, with understanding pride
His Cleveland contracts included arrangements for
bonuses on winning games and attendance In 1913 when
Cleveland drew 26 million route to a pennant Bob
shared in the wealth to the extent of $4,000 for pitching
alone
THE TOUGHEST BARGAIN he ever had to drive was
not with the Indians but with Clark Griffith naturally
He remembers 1t best, but not pleasantly.
Two weeks prior to the Indians last invasion of Grit
fifth Stadium Grif trying to hypo late-Season attendance
as usual advertised that Feers speed would be timed at
home plate by special gadget borrowed from the Armys
Aberdeen Proving Grounds.
He neglected to notify Teller of the scheme On the
night of the big event the park sold out Griffith
encountered Teller in the Indians dressing ROOM where
Teller was being rubbed down. He was pitching that
night They're waiting for you out there" Griffith said
THE park is filled"
Teller didn't bulge "Mr Griffith, I want $1,000 to
pitch through that thing" Griffith froze as Teller
called It, Mr. Griffith I'm not getting off this table
unless I'm paid in advance" Gr went back to his office
and brought Teller check not for $1,000 but for $500
What could do2" Teller asked II stuck the check
in my uniform pocket and went through with the act
1t terrible night for Griffith not only knocked
my price down, but his ball club knocked out Of the
box"
EVEN IN 1895 WHEN HE WAS flame throwing wild
youngster Of II breaking into the majors Teller was
regarded cold. mpersonal calculating cookie He was
and still is He is appreciative and respectful Of his
election TO the Hall Of Fame last year. but nowhere near
emotional about the signal honor as other residents
Maybe it will mean to me 10 or Is years from
now" he spoke the honor was routine "but since
expected 1t can't get excited I'm supposed to be-
If wasn't elected certainly wouldn't have campaigned
for 1t like Joe Medwick is doing"
In 10 major league seasons, all with the Indians
Teller 1853 He holds enough records TO delight
the most fanatic figure zealot.
Certainly there couldn't have been any financial
regrets but were there any disappontments at all along
the way2
NO not really" he replies. But II would have been
fun had the war not come along. Maybe would have
beaten Mathewson and Alexander for total wins (s73
apece) In the four years was in the Navy think
could have won somewhere around 100 games And maybe
another no-hitter."
FELLER's INTEREST IN baseball is almost purely
financial these days He's been successful that Ford
Frek, not Felers idea Of the type Of leader baseball
needs has asked permission 10 use the Teller story as
persuasive literature 10 recruit athletes who may be lean
ing toward pro football
He has had any number Of Job offers In baseball but
has declined all with thanks Connie Mack was the only
smart one" he argues 'e owned the team and managed
II as well No hafwitted guy could fire him. I'd get in
only condton-that 81 per cent Of the team"
It's a great gameA-for others-Feller contends but
not for him. I'm my boss now and I've got security"
he boasts Besides baseball couldn't pay me what I'm
making today"