The forces keeping the Washington Senators in the nation's capitol, and away from Minneapolis, were strong and entrenched. For starters, the franchise had been a charter member of the American League since 1901, with not just a history of losing permeating the air, but also the warm, fuzzy, albeit faded memories of pennants, World Series winners, and beloved players.
Calvin Griffith's August 27, 1958 assertion that he'd move the Nats ("Senators") to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area if an acceptable offer was made had prompted President Dwight D. Eisenhower (see below photo) to suggest that Griffith should improve the team and stay in Washington. Then, the pressure on Griffith to stay put was ratcheted up with the inevitable lawsuit. This link to the Google Docs PDF file (AND in the "sneak peak" below) maps out a fraction of the political intrigue swirling at the time, on September 8,1958.
Calvin Griffith's August 27, 1958 assertion that he'd move the Nats ("Senators") to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area if an acceptable offer was made had prompted President Dwight D. Eisenhower (see below photo) to suggest that Griffith should improve the team and stay in Washington. Then, the pressure on Griffith to stay put was ratcheted up with the inevitable lawsuit. This link to the Google Docs PDF file (AND in the "sneak peak" below) maps out a fraction of the political intrigue swirling at the time, on September 8,1958.
The gist of this page:
- In a special meeting of American League owners in Chicago, IL, Washington owner Calvin Griffith succumbed to pressure ( translation: he backpedaled like a hen avoiding a fox*) from other AL owners and advised Minneapolis, MN officials that he was staying in Washington, DC. Eventual Baseball Hall Of Fame historian Joe Reichler also wrote about this development in this news piece in the Sept. 8, 1958 edition of the Ocala Star-Banner. It was a near-reversal of his oft-repeated desire to move the franchise, without completely closing the door to the possibility.
- * Yes,I really DID need to turn Cal's Hall Of Fame stepfather Clark Griffith's nickname inside out for the sake of irony!
Forcing the A.L. owners hand against Griffith was this development ("Sporting News" pdf) that had the Nationals ("Senators") club stockholders suing Cal once bonding was approved to enlarge Metropolitan Stadium, and that on the heels of Calvin so un-diplomatically declaring his desire to pull up stakes - it would have been uncharacteristic for him to adopt a cagey, strategic MO in any event!
Add to this the interesting subtext that included Midway Stadium in St. Paul [cue St. Paulites beaming with pride] as another possible Twins venue in the very same article. Intrigue! As it was, Calvin had now enraged the movers and shakers in Minneapolis with his waffling - and, essentially, EVERYONE was disenchanted with him, including the Commander-In-Chief.
Eventually, the climate would change, the seas would part, and Griffith would garner support for moving with the momentum of developing circumstances (i.e., the "Continental League") and personalities (see "William Shea").
Add to this the interesting subtext that included Midway Stadium in St. Paul [cue St. Paulites beaming with pride] as another possible Twins venue in the very same article. Intrigue! As it was, Calvin had now enraged the movers and shakers in Minneapolis with his waffling - and, essentially, EVERYONE was disenchanted with him, including the Commander-In-Chief.
Eventually, the climate would change, the seas would part, and Griffith would garner support for moving with the momentum of developing circumstances (i.e., the "Continental League") and personalities (see "William Shea").
December 2, 1957: from appearances, it looks as if Calvin is ticking off his choice destinations to where he might relocate the Washington Senators. Minneapolis? St. Paul?Denver...or...Wichita??..for MLB Commissioner Ford Frick...actually, he's indicating he's picking Bobby Malkmus of Wichita, in the December, 1957 Rule 5 draft.
Griffith's reasons for seeking better alternatives - poor attendance, stadium location, local support - were legitimate. No, Griffith's brashness wasn't exactly Robert Irsay stealing away with the Baltimore Colts in the middle of the night, semis and U-Hauls in tow. But, by not culturing a favorable audience among fellow owners, or not effectively maneuvering the D.C. City Fathers, he almost doomed the move to Minnesota from the start.
As the great announcer ended his post-game show, I say to you:
"So long, everybody!" (Herb Carneal)
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