Browns: Will They Stay or Will They Go?
On March 24, 1914, the Browns have packed up and left town, barnstorming their way back to St. Louis. By all accounts their spring season in St. Pete was a success. Attendance was good, weather was better, and the Browns got enough work in to get off to a good regular season start. Manager Branch Rickey was quoted in the St. Petersburg Daily Times, “… best place for a training quarter’s he has ever visited.” Yet, the Browns left without an agreement to return.
It has been noted in several published accounts that there was a disagreement over finances. Some stories say the amount was $6,500. None were specific as to the details. The Tampa Tribune reported on April 9, 1914, with a headline that read; “St. Pete Will Not Pay Hedges To Come Back”. In the article Board of Trade Secretary, Don Beech admitted the Baseball Company made a less generous proposal. On April 18, the Times reports that the Baseball Company did not pay the Browns expenses back to St. Louis as stipulated since the Browns chose to play games on their way back rather than to return to St. Louis directly. In the Tribune on April 25, it is reported that several other teams have applied to come to St. Pete and the Browns may not have a spot here next spring.
As late as June, the Browns hot start is still holding. They are in second place as of June 22. St. Pete is still laying claim to them. Little is being reported about a spring training occupant for ‘15. In July, The Tampa Daily Times reported that Al Lang has still been courting Hedges to come back. It is said that Rickey wants the team back in St. Pete and floats the possibility of the Phillies coming also as a second team to train.
Lang and Beech continue the pursuit of the Browns and other teams throughout July. Lang is the Baseball Company representative in dealing with the ball clubs. Beech reiterates should the Browns return; the terms will not be as liberal towards them. He also indicates that Lang is dealing with two or three other clubs. By the end of the July, it is revealed that the Yankees are the proposed replacement for the Browns and the Phillies are still in play for the second spot at a field to be developed in West St. Pete for practices only. Coffee Pot will be shared for games.
Late August brings news from Lang that Hedges has agreed to bring the Browns back and a contract is expected to be that week. In mid-September, Rickey is quoted as saying he expects to be back in St. Pete. The St. Louis Times headline on Sept. 28, reads: “If New York Yankees Train At St. Petersburg, Browns Will Go To Corpus Christi”. The report says telegraph chatter indicates the Yankees to St. Pete and that the New York market would produce four times more tourists than St. Louis.
Finally, on Oct. 10, the Times headline reads: “Hedges Refuses To Bring Team Here To Train”. Hedges had signed the contract but informed the baseball company on the 9th that he was breaking the agreement. Beech indicated that Lang was still negotiating with the Phillies, Yankees, Nationals, Dodgers, and the Braves. But a number of those clubs had not been willing to wait and were making other arrangements. By mid-month Beech announces that he expects to bring news of either the Yankees or Phillies signing to play here making the two-team wish appear dead for ‘15. On Oct. 23rd, it is announced in the Times that the wait is over: “Phillies Will Establish Camp Here In The Spring”. On Nov. 3rd, Phillies owner William Baker signs the contract agreeing that the Phillies will be responsible for paying all of their expenses related to training in St. Pete.
The Yankees did remain in play with a report in early November that they were considering training in the neighboring town of Gulfport. That area was controlled by the same land company that offered the West St. Pete land and controlled the streetcar line that went to both areas. By mid-December it is reported that Yankee ownership told player to expect to report to St. Pete. However, on Dec. 22, it is reported that the Yankees were sold, and the new owners took them elsewhere. One of those owners, Colonel Jacob Ruppert, would take part in bringing the Yankees to train in St. Pete in 1925.