In the aftermath of Billy Crystal’s wonderful movie 61*, some are standing up for Commissioner Ford Frick’s decision that year to distinguish between Babe Ruth’s home run record in a 154-game schedule and Roger Maris’ in a 162-game schedule. Those same proponents are supporting their statement by saying or writing that many at the time felt the same way, including players, thereby exonerating Frick of his blunder.
One scribe even retrieved quotes from players around the majors that season (men like Stan Musial, Norm Cash, Warren Spahn, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris himself) supporting Frick’s decision to separate the records. But since when are the opinions of commissioners and players supposed to match? The commissioners are supposed to think on a higher plane. Aren’t commissioners given their post for their leadership, and ability to take into account all factors and sides before making a wise choice? Aren’t commissioners supposed to make decisions in the best interest of baseball? Aren’t commissioners paid to rule on the game and its players, instead of along with them? Commissioners and players never have been on even grounds since the creation of the commissioner’s post 81 years ago.
A writer-turned-executive, Frick was a National League president from 1934-1951, and the major league commissioner from 1951-1965. For his efforts, Frick was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1970. Clearly, Frick was in position to lead – not follow.
Did Commissioner Bart Giamatti conduct a players’ poll before suspending Pete Rose? Did Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis poll players before banning Joe Jackson and the other seven Black Sox? And there are plenty of players right now who believe Rose and/or Jackson belong in the Hall of Fame, as well as half of America. (Trust me, I asked.) Has Bud Selig opened the doors for Rose to return to baseball? The answer to all the above is “no”.
Regarding Mantle’s and Maris’ “endorsements” of Frick’s decision, what does one expect them to say? After all, they were playing in The House That Ruth Built in front of all those Ruth supporters. Those who have ever interviewed a player will agree that a majority of those players tend to be somewhat modest and not self-serving. When Greg Maddux, for example, says he “got lucky” after a two-shutout, don’t take his word for it. He’s actually quite good. It’s simple sports journalism 101.
If a player felt the records should be distinguished, that opinion shouldn’t have factored into Frick’s decision, and definitely should not be brought up as an element in determining Frick’s liability.
Frick basically stripped the chase of its deserved drama. As the major league commissioner, Frick should have seized the opportunity and given the occasion the stage it deserved – if only to enhance the romance of the very sport he presided over. Instead, Frick (usually a righteous being with a great track record) infected an otherwise majestic season with cynicism – so much so that only 23,154 fans attended Maris’ 61st homer on October 1. Can you imagine Selig approving a distinction on Mark McGwire’s mark, because Big Mac played in the greatest lively ball era?
As a biographer and former ghostwriter of the Bambino, perhaps Frick let his feelings and attachments to Ruth get in the way of an impartial decision.
As those who know a thing or two about the game’s history will tell you, Frick definitely was capable of such a righteous decision. You don’t get to be a league president and commissioner by luck.
When the St. Louis Cardinals voted their objection to playing the Dodgers with Jackie Robinson in 1947, Frick (then the N.L. president) intervened and stood up for Robinson. He said, “If you do this (speaking to the Cardinals organization), you will be suspended from the league. You will find that the friends that you think you have in the press box will not support you, that you will be outcasts. I do not care if half the league strikes. Those who do it will encounter quick retribution. They will be suspended and I don't care if it wrecks the National League for five years. This is the United States of America, and one citizen has as much right to play as another. The National League will go down the line with Robinson whatever the consequence".
He didn’t seem to stand by the players’ sentiments then – thank God for that. That statement is overwhelming evidence that Frick had acted on his own before, and against players’ consensus nonetheless. So let’s once and for all throw that argument out the window.
While it is true that Frick should be remembered for more than his decision in 1961, said judgment is the issue here.
Many players in 1884 felt the same way Cap Anson did when he refused to play on the same field as Moses “Fleetwood” Walker, the first black player in major league history. Does that make it right? Landis echoed many players’ sentiments when he refused – time and time again – to integrate the major leagues. Do we applaud him for that? Of course we don’t, and for obvious reasons. We praise Landis for his great authority, yet condemn his decision not to integrate major league baseball. Nary a person should allow this 1961 blunder to cloud Frick’s overall accomplishments. But the fact is Frick could have handled the Maris situation a lot better.
So let’s stop making excuses for Frick who erred horribly in overseeing the asterisk.
Ford Frick’s contributions to the game are aplenty. Here’s a list:
- Became the director of the National League Service Bureau in 1934, after serving as sportswriter and sportscaster.
- Later that year, he was elected as N.L. president, a position he held for 17 years.
- Helped secure funds for the frequently drunk and financially unstable Grover Alexander following retirement, saving the N.L. from more embarrassment.
- Supported the founding of the Hall of Fame.
- Made “foul” poles a necessity in each N.L. park in 1939.
- Threatened to suspend the Cardinals organization in 1947 if it went through with its intention of striking rather than play on the same field as Jackie Robinson.
- Became baseball’s third commissioner on September 20, 1951, lasting 14 years, one month and 27 days (the third longest tenure among commissioners).
- Was heavily responsible for the Cy Young Award’s creation, after suggesting an honor to finally give pitchers their due.
- Overruled Cincinnati fans, who stuffed the All-Star ballot box with their hometown players in 1957, by pulling two of the seven selected Reds starters and stripping the fans of the All-Star vote from 1958-1969.
- Ruled during the 1961 season that Roger Maris (or Mickey Mantle) would have to “hit 61 or more (homers) within his club’s first 154 games” to break Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record.
- Was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1970.
- Is celebrated with an annual award that bears his name - the Ford C. Frick Award, which is presented to a broadcaster for “major contributions to baseball”.
» Mike Attiyeh is a published baseball historian whose works have appeared in such publications as Baseball Digest, Pirate Report, Society for American Baseball Research, Birch Brook Press, and numerous web sites. Attiyeh, who has appeared as an expert guest analyst on sports radio talk shows throughout the United States, is best known nationally for breaking the story of Tony Gwynn’s blood clot in 1997.
Also by Mike Attiyeh
» An Ode to Candlestick
» Remembering Roberto Clemente on New Year’s Eve
» Most of All, Joe DiMaggio Was a Proud Winner
» Maz Election Gives Defense Appeal
» Who Was Baseball's Most Interesting Character? Monte Ward
» Pete Rose: Still Battling a Losing Cause
» More submissions
Copyright © 2001 by Mike Attiyeh. Posted July 23, 2001.
BALLPLAYERS | TEAMS | CHRONOLOGY | TODAY | BOOKS | NEWSLETTER | ERRATA | FAQ
