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Browns Fire Hornsby; Marion Pilot Veeck Says Players Happy Over Switch Rogs Insistence That He Be Absolute Boss of Team Reason for Surprise Move By JOHN ADAMS United Press Sports Writer . BOSTON, Mass., June 10.— Rough Rogers Hornsby was fired today and replaced as manager by gentle Marty Marion because he thought he was undisputed boss of the lowly St. Louis Browns. "When you work for a screwball youve got to expect screwball tactics," was Horns-bys acid comment after being ousted by president Bill Veeck of the American League club. "Its an expensive mistake," mourned Veeck, faced with the problem of paying for a "dead" horse. Hornsby was working out the first year of a three-season contract calling for 0,000 annually. "He Veeck can do what he wants as far as Im concerned," peacefully injected Marion. Ironically, it was at Boston just 20 years ago that "the Rajah" was booted out as manager of the Chicago Cubs by the then president — Bill Veeck, Sr. His replacement was Charley Grimm who 10 days ago replaced ousted Tommy Holmes as manager of the Boston Braves. Signed Last November It was a hearts-and-flowers symphony last November when Veeck signed Hornsby, one of the few living members of the Hall of Fame, to what probably was the highest salary ever paid a member of the Browns organization. But there were hints that the notes were turning sour even during the grapefruit season. Hornsby believed as manager he was boss. He expected that players paid to fill a position would do just that. Their extra-curricular activities were of little importance to Hornsby — unless they interfered with baseball. Winner of the Pacific Coast championship while at Seattle, Wash., last season, Hornsby injected such life into the club that early games set new attendance records. However when they tumbled down to seventh place Veeck made suggestions, most of which Hornsby ignored. An example was a disputed play in a St. Louis dou-bleheader at New York Sunday. Veeck wanted the game protested. Reports were that Hornsby ignored the request. Then there was the pitching situation in which Hornsby seldom told them when they were working until game time. "You cant even tell when you see it in the newspapers when youre going to pitch," complained Ned Garver, reportedly en route to the Yankees in a trade. A 20-game winner last season, Garver entertains a 2-6 record this year. Made Decision Week Ago Following the firing, Veeck said he had decided on it "about u week ago." "I dont believe we have a good club but I believe we have a better one than we have shown to date," he said. "The club is tight so you do the only possible thing. Twenty-five guys the Brownie players arent going to be wrong. Ive never sen such a transformation in a ball club. Wed win the pennant with this spirit." Veeck was referring to the grins that several players wore when they learned Hornsby was out. Said one, whose name was withheld, "You dont see any sad faces do you?" Life, it seemed, would be pleas-anter with Marion, fired last season by the St. Louis Cardinals boss, Fred Saigh, because he was not aggressive enough as a manager. Under his new setup, Marion continues to work under a three-year contract. It was changed from player-coach to player-manager for this season, manager for the following two. "The game should be fun," said Veeck, indicating that life would be more beautiful under "Mr. Shortstop" Marion. "But its also a business. I feel only sadly about it. When I signed him Hornsby I thought he had it. Its just an unfortunate thing. Its an expensive mistake." Hornsby was sure that the firing resulted from the New York incident, in which Veeck telephoned and sent road secretary Billy Durney down to demand that the manager make the- protest. Hornsby refused, he said, because it was too late to make the squawk. "I got paid in full for one thing," continued the once-feared batter, who brought St. Louis its first National League pennant and worlds championship in 1926. "Yes sir, Im getting every cent thats coming to me. And you can tell the world in general that Veeck is a screwball. I had a clause in my contract which particularly said Id run the club without interference from Veeck. He tried to interfere. I told i him to come to Boston to talk it over, and this is the result. I "There isnt room enough for two bosses on any club and unless Im absolute boss I want no part of managing. But I got my t dough and thats not bad." j Peace-minded Marion, due for considerably less cash and authority, said he was "surprised" last night when he was offered the job in a telephone conversation with j Veeck in St. Louis. « t "I was perfectly content as a player," Marion said, indicating he didnt mind j working under Hornsby. "I was enjoying life again. I had no worries at all. Its quite an honor being manager. I hope I do as good a job as Bill Veeck thinks I can. | He can do what he wants as far as Im concerned. However, I dont think hell interfere with managing the team." I Marion said he hoped to establish a "set" I line-up and might play 100 games himself t at shortstop. This he said would be his last 1 playing year because his knee is trouble- t some and his "back is killing me." i
