Hornsby Out

In 1925 Rogers Hornsby, for five years the leading batter in the National League, was appointed manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1926 the Cardinals, who had finished seventh the year before, won the pennant and the world series. Hornsby was traded to the Giants. In 1927 he helped manage the Giants, had a batting average of .361. Hornsby was traded to the Boston Braves. Appointed manager of the Braves to replace Jack Slattery, Hornsby did well in his new job, led the league in batting. In 1928 he was traded to the Chicago Cubs. When Manager Joe McCarthy left the Cubs to manage the New York Yankees, Hornsby took his place. The Cubs finished third last year. Last week they were in second place when there occurred the customary culmination of a Hornsby managerial regime. President William Veeck of the Chicago Cubs, entrusted with running the team by Philip K. Wrigley who last winter inherited it from his father, announced that he had discharged Hornsby for "the best interests of the club."

Baseball observers thought that the most likely reason lay in the personal relations of President Veeck and Manager Hornsby. Revered by most of his underlings for his baseball knowledge and ability, his scrupulous fairness, Hornsby has never made any effort to endear himself to his employers. President Sam Breadon of the St. Louis Cardinals said that he would rather fight Jack Dempsey than have an argument with Hornsby. First Baseman Charley Grimm was appointed to replace Manager Hornsby whose $8,000 a month contract expires Dec. 31.

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