Braves hire legal team to investigate Spahn free agency
Nov 6, 2014 20:08:37 GMT -5
oreng and noah like this
Post by Darryl on Nov 6, 2014 20:08:37 GMT -5
Milwaukee Free Press
Milwaukee, WI January 31 1961
By Billy Brewer
Joy spread through out the Milwaukee area early this month when word came that beloved Brave and Hall of Famer Warren Spahn was going to strap his cleats on for at least one more season. That joy quickly turned to confusion however when the Braves front office was informed by Spahn's agent Irwin R. Schyster that his client had filed for free agency with the league office. The Braves believe that the 40-year-old Spahn owes them one more year of service on the basis of an extension he signed during the 1958 season for 1 year at a cost of 5.56 million dollars.
Owner/President/GM Darryl Lierman had this to say when reached for comment. "When I purchased the team in late 1959 Mr.Spahn was enjoying the first year of his well earned retirement after being a cornerstone of this franchise for nearly two decades. However when recent rumours arose that Mr. Spahn was looking to return to baseball I had Jay Garrick, our lawyer in charge of all players contracts, check the records and financials to verify that Mr.Spahn had fulfilled his previous obligations to the franchise and the great city of Milwaukee. What Jay found was a contract signed by Mr. Spahn to play one more season for the Braves at the cost of 5.56 million. Despite his retired status during the 59 and 60 season a contract is a contract and we expect it to be honoured " Mr. Lierman held up a copy of the contract for all the gathered press to see and sure enough the document does appear to be legitimate.
The question now is not if Warren Spahn will play but where as the Braves have hired the law firm of Begg, Baro and Steel to represent them in their petition to the league office on the validity of Mr.Spahn free agent status.
Making one last comment to the gathered press Owner Lierman had this to say "The Braves fans would love nothing more then to see Warren take the mound for a Braves one last season and help this talented team bring a pennant back to Milwaukee. I assure we will do everything within our legal rights to ensure the fans get that chance."
Milwaukee, WI January 31 1961
By Billy Brewer
Joy spread through out the Milwaukee area early this month when word came that beloved Brave and Hall of Famer Warren Spahn was going to strap his cleats on for at least one more season. That joy quickly turned to confusion however when the Braves front office was informed by Spahn's agent Irwin R. Schyster that his client had filed for free agency with the league office. The Braves believe that the 40-year-old Spahn owes them one more year of service on the basis of an extension he signed during the 1958 season for 1 year at a cost of 5.56 million dollars.
Owner/President/GM Darryl Lierman had this to say when reached for comment. "When I purchased the team in late 1959 Mr.Spahn was enjoying the first year of his well earned retirement after being a cornerstone of this franchise for nearly two decades. However when recent rumours arose that Mr. Spahn was looking to return to baseball I had Jay Garrick, our lawyer in charge of all players contracts, check the records and financials to verify that Mr.Spahn had fulfilled his previous obligations to the franchise and the great city of Milwaukee. What Jay found was a contract signed by Mr. Spahn to play one more season for the Braves at the cost of 5.56 million. Despite his retired status during the 59 and 60 season a contract is a contract and we expect it to be honoured " Mr. Lierman held up a copy of the contract for all the gathered press to see and sure enough the document does appear to be legitimate.
The question now is not if Warren Spahn will play but where as the Braves have hired the law firm of Begg, Baro and Steel to represent them in their petition to the league office on the validity of Mr.Spahn free agent status.
Making one last comment to the gathered press Owner Lierman had this to say "The Braves fans would love nothing more then to see Warren take the mound for a Braves one last season and help this talented team bring a pennant back to Milwaukee. I assure we will do everything within our legal rights to ensure the fans get that chance."
