Читать книгу No Money, No Beer, No Pennants. The Cleveland Indians and Baseball in the Great Depression онлайн

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On the morning of June 7, Slapnicka walked into Del Pratt’s office and asked if the Yankees had picked up their option. Pratt answered no, but they had until 1:00 p.m. to do so. The Indians scout eyed the clock for another two hours, then visited Pratt again. Time was now up for the Yankees. Slapnicka reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a check for $25,000. He negotiated with Pratt on the additional three players for Waco and the deal was done. The value of the transaction including the three players was $40,000, a remarkable amount of money for a nineteen-year-old not quite finished with high school.

The Cleveland fans were quite eager to get a look at the best pitcher from the Texas League. On August 16, 1926, Willis Hudlin started the opening game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns. The fans packed League Park to the tune of 25, 000 spectators, an overflow crowd. Willis made it through two innings but completely lost control in the third. He walked the first three batters, then gave up a base hit. Speaker pulled Hudlin from the game but the relief pitchers did not help, the Browns winning, 11–7.