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DeWitt Sees Outside Chance Browns Will Be Sold to Veeck, Hears Ex-Cleveland Owner Is Forming Syndicate, Will Listen to Attractive Offer By MILTON RICHMAN United Press Sports Writer NEW YORK, N. Y., June 13 UP . — There is an "outside chance" the St, Louis Browns will be sold, co-owner Bill DeWitt admitted today, but "only if the offer is so attractive that we cant possibly turn it down." DeWitt, who controls the Browns with his younger brother Charlie, emphatically denied that the club already has been sold to Bill Veeck, former president of the Cleveland Indians. "Nothing could be further from the truth," DeWitt declared. "Actually, the Browns arent even on the verge of being sold and Veeck never has approached me. It is my understanding, however,, that Veeck is trying to round up some kind of syndicate which might make us an offer. "Ill say this," the Brownie president declared, "that offer, if it is made, will have to. be mighty attractive to make us sell. As of this minute, I can definitely state that the club is not far sale." DeWitt laughed at a report thaf one American League owner is holding up Veecks purchase of the Browns. "Thats almost too fantastic to deny," he said. "What American League owner has a right to say what we do with the Browns? And there isnt even a pending sale, so how could such an owner be holding it up." Report Solomon Interested - Another report said Sidney Solomon, wealthy St. Louis businessman who once owned 10 per cent of the Cardinals, is attempting to go in with Veeck in the alleged purchase of the Browns. "I know nothing about that," DeWitt said. "Veeck is a very busy man these days. I dont know who he is trying to get to go in with him in this-syndicate. If the syndicate does eventually come to us with an offer, we will listen to it just like we would listen to any other legitimate offer." DeWitt took pains to point out that the Browns were not in the dire financial straits "that many people think were in." He admitted that both Sportsmans Park, home of the Browns, and Mission Stadium, home of the Browns controlled San Antonio club in the Texas League, are mortgaged, but said the payments were being met promptly. "We showed a profit last year despite poor attendance at our home games," he explained. "Thats another thing a lot of people donlt seem to realize. There are other franchises in baseball that are a lot worse off financially than we are." No price has been placed on the Browns by the DeWitts, he added. "Were not eager to sell at all," he said. "My brother Charlie and I take a great deal of pride in running the Browns and we would be extremely reluctant to give up the club at any price." In town with the Browns for a current series against the New York Yankees, DeWitt said he still was highly optimistic about his clubs chances this season. "Weve won six of our last nine games," he pointed out, "and were playing good ball now." Was there anything to the talk that the Browns might be sold in two weeks? "No one can predict thef uture," he said. "Sure, the club might be sold. But on the other hand, I wouldnt be at all surprised if were doing business at the same old stand by 1952."
