Brown's Brainstorm - Use the Negro Leaguers

NEGRO PITCHER
WIL’s Rookie Rule No Worry to Caps
By CLANCY LORANGER [Vancouver Province, Feb 12, 1952]
Crafty Bob Brown, the venerable general manager of the Vancouver Capilanos, demonstrated Monday just why he was recently chosen one of the top 10 front office men in minor league baseball, as he came up with a “gimmick” which could be the answer to a troublesome new Western International League rule.
The rule states that each WIL club must carry two rookies (with no pro ball experience) and six “limited service” men, that is players with less than three years’ pro experience. The rule has been causing consternation, so much so, in fact, that a special directors meeting today in Seattle has been called to discuss it.
HARD TO FIND
It’s “darned difficult,” Bob says, finding players to fit these categories, but Monday he plucked a 27-yaer-old “rookie” from virgin territory that may well produce two or three more players for him.
Bob announced the purchase of Eddie Locke from the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Major League, and since the league—from which the majors have chosen such as Sam Jethroe and Larry Doby—isn’t in organized baseball, Locke will join the Caps with a “rookie” rating.
THIRD NEGRO
Locke, who spent part of last season with Jorge Pasquel’s Mexico City team, is the third Negro on the Vancouver roster. Paul Jones, another pitcher recently purchased from Flint of the Central League, and the third Negro, of course, is the league’s batting king, John Ritchey.
The latest acquisition also doubles as an outfielder and hit .340 for Kansas City, cost Brown “quite a bit of money,” but Bob’s “sure he’s worth it.” This Kansas City team, Robert pointed out, is not to be confused with the barnstorming Monarchs, who are the “No. 2 team.”