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PhillieFever · 12-29-2010, 02:31 PM

Monday June 6th, 1949

Pirates To Protest Rackley Deal

Pittsburgh- The Pirates think Branch Rickey dealt them a card from the bottom of the deck in the recent Johnny Hopp for Marv Rackley trade, and they intend to do something about it. President Frank E. McKinney who arrived in New York Saturday night, admitted today that he planned to bombard Rickey with a strong protest. "All copies will go to other parties who may be interested," McKinney added. Asked if Commissioner Chandler might be one of the "other parties," McKinney replied, "you can be sure he is"

Arm Bad Since March

McKinney will leave for Indianapolis tomorrow night. The letters, he said, would be in the mail before the end of the week. The Pirate beef will be based on the fact that Rackley had a sore arm when he reported to the Bucs, still has it, and has had it as early as March, when the Dodgers were training in Vero Beach, Fla.
The trade which involved the payment by the Pirates of a sum of cash that has been estimated at $25,000 was completed in Pittsburgh last month when Rickey stopped off enroute to St. Louis.

Two Hour Talk

"We talked for about two hours arranging the deal" McKinney said. We spent 15 minutes or more explaining that Hopp had a temporary arm condition and told Mr. Rickey that he must understand that before any papers were signed.
"Rickey had every opportunity at that time to tell us about Rackley's arm, but he never mentioned the fact, and we don't like it."
"If a man can be adjudged a shrewd businessman by his ability to deal off crippled ballplayers, I don't want to be that sort of man" concluded McKinney, who was plainly hot under the collar.

Little Flatbush

The Bucs have been one of Rickey's best customers during the McKinney regime- so much so that Pittsburgh is sometimes referred to as "Little Flatbush."
In addition to Rackley, present members of the team who were shipped to Pittsburgh by the Mahatma are Hal Gregg, Vic Lombardi, Stan Rojek, Eddie Stevens and Dixie Walker.
Hugh Casey is another former Brook, but he was signed as a free agent. And there have been others who didn't last.

12-29-2010, 02:31 PM	#425
PhillieFever Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Elk Twp. NJ Posts: 6,763	Monday June 6th, 1949 Pirates To Protest Rackley Deal Pittsburgh- The Pirates think Branch Rickey dealt them a card from the bottom of the deck in the recent Johnny Hopp for Marv Rackley trade, and they intend to do something about it. President Frank E. McKinney who arrived in New York Saturday night, admitted today that he planned to bombard Rickey with a strong protest. "All copies will go to other parties who may be interested," McKinney added. Asked if Commissioner Chandler might be one of the "other parties," McKinney replied, "you can be sure he is" Arm Bad Since March McKinney will leave for Indianapolis tomorrow night. The letters, he said, would be in the mail before the end of the week. The Pirate beef will be based on the fact that Rackley had a sore arm when he reported to the Bucs, still has it, and has had it as early as March, when the Dodgers were training in Vero Beach, Fla. The trade which involved the payment by the Pirates of a sum of cash that has been estimated at $25,000 was completed in Pittsburgh last month when Rickey stopped off enroute to St. Louis. Two Hour Talk "We talked for about two hours arranging the deal" McKinney said. We spent 15 minutes or more explaining that Hopp had a temporary arm condition and told Mr. Rickey that he must understand that before any papers were signed. "Rickey had every opportunity at that time to tell us about Rackley's arm, but he never mentioned the fact, and we don't like it." "If a man can be adjudged a shrewd businessman by his ability to deal off crippled ballplayers, I don't want to be that sort of man" concluded McKinney, who was plainly hot under the collar. Little Flatbush The Bucs have been one of Rickey's best customers during the McKinney regime- so much so that Pittsburgh is sometimes referred to as "Little Flatbush." In addition to Rackley, present members of the team who were shipped to Pittsburgh by the Mahatma are Hal Gregg, Vic Lombardi, Stan Rojek, Eddie Stevens and Dixie Walker. Hugh Casey is another former Brook, but he was signed as a free agent. And there have been others who didn't last. Last edited by PhillieFever; 12-29-2010 at 02:56 PM.