Garriott Probable New Manager; Visits This Week to Talk Terms
By JIM TANG [Victoria Colonist, Feb. 17, 1952]
Cecil Garriott, 35-year-old outfield veteran who put in six full seasons and part of a seventh with Los Angeles Angels of the Coast League and who saw his major league chance lost through war service, is almost certain to be the next manager of the Victoria Athletics.
Nothing definite has been done as yet but Garriott will make a flying visit to Victoria—probably Wednesday or Thursday—to talk terms with club officials are indications are that he will be signed.
The move came yesterday following the apparently end of negotiations with Ted Norbert, former manager of the A’s, who was tentatively booked for a return engagement during the recent successful “save baseball” fund drive. No announcement was made but it was believed that the club and Norbert were unable to see eye-to-eye on salary terms with the difference so great that it left virtually no chance of any agreement. Club officials are known to feel that they can not afford a large salary for a non-playing manager and reports on Garriott have been so good they are anxious to close a deal.
REPORTS ALL GOOD
Determined to avoid any repetition of last season, officials have checked with responsible baseball men such as Clarence Rowland, president of the Coast League; Don Stewart, president of the Los Angeles club; Torchy Torrence, of the Seattle Rainiers; Bob Brown, general manager of the Vancouver Capilanos, and Bob Sturgeon, who finished the season as manager here last tear and was once Garriott’s teammate at Los Angeles.
All were unanimous in their opinion that Garriott would fill the bill admirably as a player and a manager.
SHOWED PROMISE
Garriott’s previous managerial experience is limited to part of last season. He left Los Angeles in June to take over the last-place Visalia team in the California State League and brought his club up to fourth spot, losing out in the final of the Shuagnessy playdowns.
Garriott was born in Harristown, Illinois, in 1916 but lives in Gardena, a Los Angeles suburb, with his wife and three children—Ronald Cecil, Barbara and Linda, aged 11, seven and four, respectively
STARTED AT COLUMBUS
He started his organized baseball career in 1936 with Columbus in the Sally League and played there for three seasons. He divided 1939 between Rochester and Elmira and played with Macon in 1940 and 1941.
Garriott went to Los Angeles in1943 after a season in Portsmouth and played with the Angels for the next two seasons, winning the most valuable player award in 1944.
MISSED CHANCE
Then came his big-league chance with the Chicago Cubs in 1945. He was with the National League club only two weeks when he was called into the U.S. Army. He came out of the service in time to spend the last six weeks of the 1946 season and was sent to Los Angeles at the start of the 1947 season. He remained with the Angels until he took over at Visalia as playing manager.
Garriott’s past record indicates that he should still be a valuable performer in the W.I.L. He has been well up each season among the stolen-base leaders and broke Ty Cobb’s Sally League record during his stay with Columbus.
A check of Garriott’s available Coast League records shows also that Garriott, who is a switch-hitter, packs considerable punch and has a good eye at the plate. In his four last full seasons with the Angels, he hit 61 home runs and 89 doubles, stole 64 bases, and average well over 100 bases on balls each season.
Reached by telephone at his home last night he expressed the hope that he would come to terms with the Victoria club and stated that he will be a full-time performer in the outfield.
Garriott Begins Job at Once As Seventh Manager of A’s
By JIM TANG [Victoria Colonist, Feb. 22, 1952]
Virgil Cecil “Rabbit” Garriott, 35-year-old outfield star who played for seven seasons with the Los Angeles Angels of the Coast League, last night officially became the seventh manager of the Victoria Athletics, who will be starting their seventh season in the Western International Baseball League on April 22.
Garriott agreed to terms at a meeting with club directors a few hours after he flew in from Los Angeles and club directors were quick to tab him as a “natural” following a short and amicable conference.
WILL SIGN TODAY
Actual contract signing will take place this morning and Garriott will emplane immediately for Los Angeles to start his new duties at once. Business manager Reg Patterson stated that the new manager will spend his time between now and the April 1 opening of the A’s training camp at Salinas scouting players in the Los Angeles area and attending the Riverside camp of the Portland Beavers, where he will get a first-hand knowledge of players the Coast League club will be sending here.
Garriott is the third manager in two seasons. He succeeds Bob Sturgeon, who succeeded Dick Barrett in mid-season last year. Sturgeon will be playing manager at Ventura in the California State League while Barrett reportedly has mad no baseball connection this season. Marty Krug, Earl Bolyard, Ted Norbert and Lauren Harney are the other ex-managers. Norbert was considered again this season but his salary demands and the Victoria preference for a playing-manager resulting in the signing of Garriott.
WANTS FULL CONTROL
Victoria’s new manager left the definite impression last night that he has definite ideas on how to run a ball club and that he will insist on full control of his players on and off the field and a voice in all player decisions.
“When I’m not running the ball club, that’s when he part company,” he told the directors, who gave every indication that they didn’t mind this at all.
Garriott also indicated he had a preference for younger players and it will be surprising indeed if he will keep around any veterans who aren’t willing to put out.
“I can get more out of a youngster who is trying than out of a veteran who doesn’t mean.” He maintained.
SECOND FLING
This will be his second fling as a manager. He was asked to take over at Visalia last year when that California State League club was floundering in last place and on financial rocks. He drove his club into fourth place and came within an ace of winning the Shaughnessy playoff losing out in the final.
This will be his 17th season in organized baseball. Born in Harristown, Ill., on August 15, 1916, he started his baseball career with Columbus in the Sally League in1936, where he was a teammate of Enos Slaughter, veteran outfielder of the St. Louis Cardinals. Four years later, at Macon, Eddie Stankey, new manager of the Cards, was among his teammates.
MISSED MAJOR CHANCE
Garriott came to Los Angeles in 1943, had a big season in 1944 and was called up by the Chicago Cubs. He lost his major-league chance when he [was] called into the U.S. Army early in the 1945 season. He was discharged late in 1946, played out the last few weeks of the season with the Cubs and rejoined Los Angeles in 1947. He remained with the Angels until he took over the managerial reigns at Visalia.
Short and Stocky—five feet eight inches and 170 pounds—Garriott has a record which shows base speed, good long-ball punch, and a good eye at the plate which has usually found him batting first or second. He four times led his league in stolen bases and averaged over 100 bases on balls a season in Los Angeles.
PLAYERS IN MIND
Less than five pounds overweight and appearing ready for play, Garriott intends to be a full-time player. He hopes to find the right veteran to assist him as a coach and has in mind Keith Simon, one-time Bremerton pitcher who hits will enough to play full-time in the outfield or at first base. Garriott is also interested in signing Clint Cameron, the hard-hitting ex-Tri-City outfielder and has a Negro pitcher in mind who would help the A’s in his opinion. Both Simon and Cameron are free agents.
Showing posts with label Cece Garriott. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cece Garriott. Show all posts
Saturday, 15 December 2007
Thursday, 13 December 2007
Victoria - 2 Days Left
Baseball Officials More Hopeful As Response to Appeal Improves
[Victoria Colonist, Jan. 30, 1952]
Officials of the “Save Baseball” fund drive were more hopeful last night that the Victoria Western International Baseball League franchise can yet be saved. There was a definitely
improved response to the appeal for funds and the total was increased by over $700, leaving it closer to $3,500.
However, the big push will be made today and tomorrow, which are the last two days before the Friday morning deadline. A committee of city business men will get busy this morning canvassing a list of “special names” and it has every hope that it can raise the necessary amount before the time limit expires. The amount set as necessary to pay off outstanding obligations and give the club some working capital to start the season is $35,000 but it believed that $15,000 by Friday morning will bring a reprieve, giving the club additional time to collect the remaining amount.
NEW BOOTHS SET UP
New collection booths will be set up today in addition to fund headquarters at the Douglas Hotel. They will be located in the Hudson’s Bay, Eaton’s music department and Gordon’s Sporting Goods store at Hillside and Quadra. Which no time left for a canvass of the city, officials urge fans to drop in and do what they can to help.
Among pledges received yesterday was one from Times’ newsboys, who have turned in $13.15 they have collected toward purchase of a $25 share. Club shareholders will meet tomorrow afternoon at a special meeting which will set the date for the annual meeting, probably for mid-February. If the drive succeeds, a new board of directors will be elected at that time to take over. It will be up to the new officials to name the manager and business manager, though Ted Norbert has tentatively agreed to resume his managerial togs if the club continues to function.
Meanwhile, pending player deals await the outcome of the drive. The A’s have a chance to sell or trade outfielders Gene Thompson and Bill White and to sign Jimmy Clarke [sic], the popular little shortstop who finished the season here. Business-manager Reg Patterson also had another managerial bid last night. Cec Garriott, one-time Chicago Cub and Los Angeles outfielder, made a telephone bid for the job. He managed Visalia in the California State League last year.
Victoria Optimistic Over WIL Franchise
[Vancouver Province, Jan. 30, 1952]
Victoria baseball interests were reported today as being “very optimistic” about their chances of saving their franchise in the Western International League.
Bob Brown, Vancouver Capilano’s general manager, said he talked to club officials by ‘phone Tuesday and said “the way they talked, it looks if the Athletics will be with us this year.”
The A’s were given until Feb. 1 to raise $35,000 for outstanding debts or forfeit their franchise. A stockholders meeting is scheduled in the capital today, and the WIL will meet on the subject in Seattle on Sunday.
Brown said that a report of Victoria police cracking down on a man settling $1 raffle tickets on a house had “nothing to do with the ball club.” The raffle wasn’t authorized by the club, which he said was getting marvellous support from the city’s two newspapers and the “man on the street.”
“Even the kids are out working on the drive,” he said. “I don’t see how it can fail to go over.”
[Victoria Colonist, Jan. 30, 1952]
Officials of the “Save Baseball” fund drive were more hopeful last night that the Victoria Western International Baseball League franchise can yet be saved. There was a definitely
improved response to the appeal for funds and the total was increased by over $700, leaving it closer to $3,500.
However, the big push will be made today and tomorrow, which are the last two days before the Friday morning deadline. A committee of city business men will get busy this morning canvassing a list of “special names” and it has every hope that it can raise the necessary amount before the time limit expires. The amount set as necessary to pay off outstanding obligations and give the club some working capital to start the season is $35,000 but it believed that $15,000 by Friday morning will bring a reprieve, giving the club additional time to collect the remaining amount.
NEW BOOTHS SET UP
New collection booths will be set up today in addition to fund headquarters at the Douglas Hotel. They will be located in the Hudson’s Bay, Eaton’s music department and Gordon’s Sporting Goods store at Hillside and Quadra. Which no time left for a canvass of the city, officials urge fans to drop in and do what they can to help.
Among pledges received yesterday was one from Times’ newsboys, who have turned in $13.15 they have collected toward purchase of a $25 share. Club shareholders will meet tomorrow afternoon at a special meeting which will set the date for the annual meeting, probably for mid-February. If the drive succeeds, a new board of directors will be elected at that time to take over. It will be up to the new officials to name the manager and business manager, though Ted Norbert has tentatively agreed to resume his managerial togs if the club continues to function.
Meanwhile, pending player deals await the outcome of the drive. The A’s have a chance to sell or trade outfielders Gene Thompson and Bill White and to sign Jimmy Clarke [sic], the popular little shortstop who finished the season here. Business-manager Reg Patterson also had another managerial bid last night. Cec Garriott, one-time Chicago Cub and Los Angeles outfielder, made a telephone bid for the job. He managed Visalia in the California State League last year.
Victoria Optimistic Over WIL Franchise
[Vancouver Province, Jan. 30, 1952]
Victoria baseball interests were reported today as being “very optimistic” about their chances of saving their franchise in the Western International League.
Bob Brown, Vancouver Capilano’s general manager, said he talked to club officials by ‘phone Tuesday and said “the way they talked, it looks if the Athletics will be with us this year.”
The A’s were given until Feb. 1 to raise $35,000 for outstanding debts or forfeit their franchise. A stockholders meeting is scheduled in the capital today, and the WIL will meet on the subject in Seattle on Sunday.
Brown said that a report of Victoria police cracking down on a man settling $1 raffle tickets on a house had “nothing to do with the ball club.” The raffle wasn’t authorized by the club, which he said was getting marvellous support from the city’s two newspapers and the “man on the street.”
“Even the kids are out working on the drive,” he said. “I don’t see how it can fail to go over.”
IT BEATS ME
By Jim Tang [Victoria Colonist, Jan. 30, 1952]
It is understandable why people might wonder about the need for a “Save Baseball” fund. After all, Victorians have subscribed $43,000 for stock in the Victoria Baseball and Athletic Co. Ltd., the
Athletics have drawn about 700,000 paying customers in six seasons and there is a deficit somewhere in the neighborhood of $50,000. Questions and doubts are inevitable. However, reviewing the reasons for the current state of baseball affairs one finds less reason to holler mismanagement than is generally believed.
The cost of operating the A’s has risen from about $60,000 in 1946 to $73,000 in 1948 to over $95,000 last season and very little of that can be blamed to the management. During the same period, admission prices remained stationary until last year, when they were increased slightly, and there was a steady attendance decline, so not all of it due to the failures of the A’s or their officials. It was general.
Salaries, of course, were the big item in spiralling operational costs. In Victoria, they rose from $18,000 in 1946 to $42,000 for the past two seasons. Nobody could have done much about that and there were clubs in the W.I.L. who matched that figure without any outstanding success.
Increased costs of transportation, hotel rooms and spring training plus a 30 per cent increase in meal money allowance tacked about $5,000 on the operating costs since 1946. Baseballs doubled in price and other playing equipment rose in proportion, adding another $3,000. Players received half their salaries in U.S. currency, which brought an exchange item of $3,500 annually. Costs of printing, advertising and park help increased and the league increase its cut from five to seven per cent.
The 60-40 gate split cost the A’s $35,000 in five seasons because they never drew on the road. They were allowed to keep their home gates last season and the special dispensation boomeranged, the club losing support at home and gaining a bit on the road.
It should also be remembered that the A’s have spent about $24,000 on Royal Athletic Park, this amount including $9,000 for lights.
Situation Was Forced
Turning to another part of the operation, there has been much unfavorable comment about player transactions, most of it unfounded. The Yankees, who made the terms of the working agreement much stiffer in 1949, pulled out at the end of the season leaving the A’s with a player roster composed of Joe Morjoseph and Joe Blankenship. It became immediately necessary to get out and buy players, working agreements being difficult to obtain with clubs in higher clubs in higher classifications cutting down on farm expenses, and Victoria officials had to take what was offered. It was inevitable that it would result in getting too many of the wrong kind of players on one club and this, more than anything, was the reasons the A’s have failed to live up to expectations.
Mistakes were made, of course. The signing of Dick Barrett, which would have been averted with more careful checking, turned out to be a costly one. So did the same of Jim Wert. Jake Mooty was an expensive flop but he was recommended by Marty Krug and Edo Vanni didn’t pan out. On the other hand, the sale of Joe Blankenship, who cost nothing, came at the right time, the purchase of John Marshall and Al Ronning resulted in a very tidy profit and there were many other good deals. The club never did own Vic Buccola and criticism over his departure was unjustified.
So, in the final analysis, the big failure was the failure to “sell” the A’s to Victoria baseball fans. This can be rectified this time and there is no reason to believe that baseball can’t pay its way here if Victorians can be made to give the A’s the same measure of support they have given the Shamrocks and the Cougars. Costs will be down this year with the league determined to keep the salary line, the saving of the exchange item, a slight, but promising reduction in the cost of baseballs, and the profit to be made from study of mistakes that have been made. At least, let’s give it one more try.
Athletics have drawn about 700,000 paying customers in six seasons and there is a deficit somewhere in the neighborhood of $50,000. Questions and doubts are inevitable. However, reviewing the reasons for the current state of baseball affairs one finds less reason to holler mismanagement than is generally believed.
The cost of operating the A’s has risen from about $60,000 in 1946 to $73,000 in 1948 to over $95,000 last season and very little of that can be blamed to the management. During the same period, admission prices remained stationary until last year, when they were increased slightly, and there was a steady attendance decline, so not all of it due to the failures of the A’s or their officials. It was general.
Salaries, of course, were the big item in spiralling operational costs. In Victoria, they rose from $18,000 in 1946 to $42,000 for the past two seasons. Nobody could have done much about that and there were clubs in the W.I.L. who matched that figure without any outstanding success.
Increased costs of transportation, hotel rooms and spring training plus a 30 per cent increase in meal money allowance tacked about $5,000 on the operating costs since 1946. Baseballs doubled in price and other playing equipment rose in proportion, adding another $3,000. Players received half their salaries in U.S. currency, which brought an exchange item of $3,500 annually. Costs of printing, advertising and park help increased and the league increase its cut from five to seven per cent.
The 60-40 gate split cost the A’s $35,000 in five seasons because they never drew on the road. They were allowed to keep their home gates last season and the special dispensation boomeranged, the club losing support at home and gaining a bit on the road.
It should also be remembered that the A’s have spent about $24,000 on Royal Athletic Park, this amount including $9,000 for lights.
Situation Was Forced
Turning to another part of the operation, there has been much unfavorable comment about player transactions, most of it unfounded. The Yankees, who made the terms of the working agreement much stiffer in 1949, pulled out at the end of the season leaving the A’s with a player roster composed of Joe Morjoseph and Joe Blankenship. It became immediately necessary to get out and buy players, working agreements being difficult to obtain with clubs in higher clubs in higher classifications cutting down on farm expenses, and Victoria officials had to take what was offered. It was inevitable that it would result in getting too many of the wrong kind of players on one club and this, more than anything, was the reasons the A’s have failed to live up to expectations.
Mistakes were made, of course. The signing of Dick Barrett, which would have been averted with more careful checking, turned out to be a costly one. So did the same of Jim Wert. Jake Mooty was an expensive flop but he was recommended by Marty Krug and Edo Vanni didn’t pan out. On the other hand, the sale of Joe Blankenship, who cost nothing, came at the right time, the purchase of John Marshall and Al Ronning resulted in a very tidy profit and there were many other good deals. The club never did own Vic Buccola and criticism over his departure was unjustified.
So, in the final analysis, the big failure was the failure to “sell” the A’s to Victoria baseball fans. This can be rectified this time and there is no reason to believe that baseball can’t pay its way here if Victorians can be made to give the A’s the same measure of support they have given the Shamrocks and the Cougars. Costs will be down this year with the league determined to keep the salary line, the saving of the exchange item, a slight, but promising reduction in the cost of baseballs, and the profit to be made from study of mistakes that have been made. At least, let’s give it one more try.
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