Damn Yankees by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview
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Damn Yankees
Page 220
baseball team alongside Dodgers shortstop Reese. The team was managed by Yankees catcher Bill Dickey.
Shortly after Rizzuto's return to the Yankees for the 1946 season, he attracted the ire of new Yankees general manager, president, and co-owner Larry MacPhail, former president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. MacPhail had served in both World Wars, was hard drinking, tempestuous, and often paranoid, but as a baseball executive was innovative and considered a near genius despite being hobbled by alcohol and a volatile temper. In 1946 MacPhail became aware that Mexican
millionaire and ball club owner Jorge Pasquel, just named president of the Mexican League and who with his wealthy two brothers had poached American players from the Negro leagues since 1943, was now courting Major League players. Several clubs lost players with others mentioned including the Yankees, and
Phil Rizzuto was rumored to be considering a $100,000, 3 year contract. For that matter, a number of players on various teams had begun "moonlighting" in winter playing for Cuban teams. The disarray had to end. Baseball Commissioner Albert Happy Chandler, former Kentucky governor, announced on Opening Day that exclusivity clauses still ruled. All contract jumping players heading to Mexico or Cuba would be suspended from the Major League for 5 years.