- Huggins Tells Why He Made Multi-Player Trade With Pittsburgh
- One Of The Biggest Trades In The History Of The Game
- Seeks To Bring Harmony To The Team
December 16, 1913 Age 22
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 15. Manager Miller Huggins’ of the Cardinals, who surprised the baseball world in general by making one of the biggest trades in the history of the game Friday afternoon at New York, remained up late last night explaining why he had sent Ed Kony, Mike Mowrey and Bob Harmon to the Pirates for five players. Huggins, first of all, wishes to make it clear to the fans of St. Louis the players he traded, at least two of thern, were dissatisfied to work under his management of the Cardinal ball club. Secondly, the fact that President Schuyler Britton deemed it advisable to again appoint him manager of the Cardinals for 1914 made him conclude that it was up to him to get rid of the dissatisfied ball players on his club if he was to make any success in the pennant race. Says Huggins:
“I realized that I had to do something In order to have harmony on my ball club. I went to Mr. Britton just before we left for the New York meeting and we had a long talk. I put it up to him squarely, that, having appointed me manager, I alone would hold that title and have full say as to what was to be what on the Cardinal ball club. I told him that I would be held entirely responsible for the showing of the team in 1914, and that unless some improvement was shown over the 1913 season I alone would be the one considered an absolute failure. It was either a case of where Miller Huggins had to be the manager of the team or a repetition of what had happened in 1913. Remember now, I was not trying to force Mr. Britton to do anything against his own good judgment, but I was endeavoring to impress upon him that it would be to the best Interests of all concerned that he allow me to go ahead and do what I really thought would result in a change for the better.”
“Mr. Britton gave me full power to act, saying that any deal I might make would be perfectly satisfactory to him. I want the fans of St. Louis to know that I made the Pittsburgh deal, not because I have an ax to grind with Koney, Mowrey or Harmon, but for the reason that I think the Cardinal ball club needed a shaking up. I am well aware of the fact that Koney is a grand ball player, but as every one knows, he was not entirely satisfied working for me. Mowrey also is a clever third-sacker, and Bob Harmon may prove to be a great pitcher with the Pittsburgh club.
“As I said before. I have only the kindliest of feelings for all three of these players. I was, however, compelled to make a change and in doing so I have only taken that chance which every manager must take if he hopes to attain any success. Robinson, whom I consider a great pitcher, may break his arm, or something else just as bad happen to one of the other four men between now and the opening of the season, but I am taking a chance, and I firmly believe that the fellow who refuses to do as I have will seldom get very far advanced in the world of baseball. You may figure the game from any angle you wish and at best it is only a gamble all the way through.
“I firmly believe that the players I got in return for Koney will improve the prospects of the Cardinals In the 1914 race. Surely we can do no worse than last season. Miller will prove a valuable man at first base, especially so because of his hustling tactics. Wilson will give the team a wonderful boost in hitting strength, and I say this despite the fact that he did not enjoy a good season last year. Robinson is a mighty clever lefthander and will win a lot of ball games for the Cardinals.
“I have not decided fully as yet just what I will do with Butler and Dolan, but both are splendid players to have hanging around. Butler can be used at short in case Hauser fails to come through, or at third if both Whitted and Dolan are unable to fill the position acceptably. If Hauser is able to come back and play the same brand of ball he did in 1912, and if Whitted develops into a high-class third-sacker, which I believe he will, then I can either keep both Butler and Dolan for utility Infield work, or perhaps trade the pair for a pitcher. I have six pitchers now whom I am figuring on working regularly next season, but I would not hesitate about making a deal for another pitcher of value. The pitchers I am counting on to hold the Cardinals up in the race are Sallee, Robinson, Perritt, Doak, Griner and Suggs.”
As to the story that Ed Koney will block the trade by refusing to go to Pittsburgh there is nothing to it. Koney, when called over the phone yesterday evening and asked what he thought of the trade that would make him a member of the Pirate crew, said that It looked fine and dandy to him. Fact of the matter is, Koney was immensely pleased, saying that he thought the trade would be of immense value to Pittsburgh, and that Fred Clarke stood a fair chance of landing the pennant. Koney also said that he knew both Mowrey and Harmon would be pleased In getting with a club that has always finished well up in the race.
Then Ed added that St. Louis was getting five good ball players in Miller, Wilson, Butler, Dolan and Robinson, men who will undoubtedly help the upbuilding of the Cardinals. All of which should set at rest any idle gossip about Ed Koney joining the Federal league. Koney is now expecting a telegram or letter from Fred Clarke telling him officially part of the trade and offering terms for next season. Koney says there may be a hitch, but that he believes Clarke will be willing to satisfy him as to the matter of salary.