Damon Runyon

Chicago Examiner/January 16, 1913

Herrmann and Lynch Coming; American Association Magnates Gather in Chicago

Now that Billy Locke has finally succeeded in buying the Phillies the National Commission can go ahead with the business of organized baseball. Garry Herrmann, chairman of the commission, and Tom Lynch, one of its members, will be here this morning for the annual meeting, which is to be held in the office of the other member, President Ban Johnson of the American League. 

No one has ever doubted Ban’s power in baseball. The extent of it may be guessed when it is known that Ban was unable to attend the session in Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago; that said session broke up because of his absence, and that Messrs. Lynch and Herrmann decided to transfer the meeting place to Chicago, which is Ban’s home. 

There is little of real importance to the convention here. Mr. Herrmann and Secretary Bruce will read their annual reports and some cases concerning ball players will be decided. 

Association Magnates Here

While the big league court is being held in the Fisher Building, the American Association magnates will gather in their annual meeting at the Congress Hotel. The representatives of Louisville, Indianapolis and St. Paul arrived yesterday. Bill Friel, Mike Kelley’s successor as boss of the Saints, is on hand as proxy for Owner George Lennon, who is sick. 

President Sol Meyer and Manager Kelley came in from Indianapolis. They conferred with President Murphy and the latter announced that another spring date had been made for the Cubs in the Indiana metropolis. March 31 was the day set, and this gives the Cubs seven straight engagements with Kelley’s team. Presidents Murphy and Meyer are making allowances for the spring rains interfering with two or three of the games. 

Reulbach Signs for One Year.

Edward Reulbach was the most distinguished visitor in the Cub offices yesterday. He conferred with Mr. Murphy in the forenoon and then signed a contract for one year, a contract that was satisfactory to Edward, judging from the smile which wreathed his handsome features after the signing process. Bob Craig, the New York shortstop recruit, also expressed satisfaction with terms by sending in his signed document. 

President Comiskey and Manager Callahan were too busy with the meeting of the Jerome Hunting and Fishing Club to pay much attention to baseball. Cal is expecting good results from his Indian pitcher, George Murphy Johnson, who made quite a “rep” in the Western League. George is heralded as a wonder in cold weather, and for that reason he should have the advantage over some of the other recruits in the early spring. 

On the opening day of the season of 1911, a cold day, Johnson pitched a no-hit game. He is credited with several one and two-hit performances and all of them were pitched in the spring or fall.