Vanni Named Braves Manager
Selection Eliminates Outfielder Problem; Gets Season's Pact
[Tri-City Herald, Jan. 27, 1953]
The selection of Edo Vanni, former manager of the Vancouver Capilanos, as new manager of the Tri-City Braves was confirmed today by Len Monheimer, general manager.
Monheimer received word Monday night that Vanni was given his release by Vancouver. He will be signed to a full season contract soon.
Vanni will go to work immediately lining up a team. The greatest need is pitchers. It was hoped that Vanni could get two from Vancouver but the deal fell through.
The selection of Vanni eliminates one major problem — finding a hard-hitting outfielder. The new playing manager hit .297 last season for Vancouver. He was 18th in the league among players who played 50 games or more.
Monheimer said the full-season's contract expresses the “confidence of myself and the board” in Vanni.
The majority of the board have leaned toward Vanni's selection for some time. However, they wanted first to hear Eddie Fernandez, catcher-manager for Pocatello in the Pioneer league. Pocatello was a St. Louis Brown farm club and there was a possibility of reaching a working agreement with the Browns through Fernandez.
However, two things ruled in Vanni's favor. First of all, the selection of Fernandez would mean the sale of Nick Pesut, popular catcher for the Braves. Second was Vanni's knowledge of the league.
Monheimer will leave for Las Vegas today to clean up his business there.
He was formerly manager of Las Vegas in the Southwest International League.
He is expected to return to either the Tri-Cities or Seattle to confer with Vanni.
Meanwhile, at a meeting of the Tri-City Athletic association, all members of the board of directors were re-elected. They are Harold Matheson, president; Steve Johnson, vice president; Howard Beste, secretary - treasurer; Bob Philip, Harry Owens, Kit Campbell and Hazy Hayes.
At the suggestion of Phillip, Matheson was awarded a season box seat in appreciation of his work in retaining the club here. Matheson also announced at the meeting that the various drives
netted a total of $33,000. Of this sum $8,150 has been spent for various fees and the balance left is the exact price of the club—$25,000.
He pointed out that the Braves have “in effect" six players plus recently signed from Vancouver and now Vanni.
“We will need $10,000 to $15,000 more,” he said, “to purchase players and especially pitchers.”
He urged everyone present to sell someone $50-$100 worth of stock.
Showing posts with label Edo Vanni. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Edo Vanni. Show all posts
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Vanni Almost Signed
Edo Vanni Will Be Manager of Tri-City Club
KENNEWICK, Mon., Jan. 26— Edo Vanni, veteran Seattle outfielder, will be named playing-manager of the Tri-City Braves as soon as official word of his release by the Vancouver Capilanos is received here, Len Monheimer, the Braves' general manager, disclosed Monday night.
Vanni finished out the season last year as manager of the Vancouver club in the Western International Baseball League. But Dewey Soriano, the Caps' new general manager, announced recently Vanni would not be signed as pilot for the 1953 campaign.
Monheimer made his disclosure at the annual stockholders' meeting of the Tri-City Athletic Association, which will take over shortly as new owner of the Braves.
Vanni saw service with the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League for several seasons in the early '40s and has been with a number of WIL clubs in recent years.
Dewey Sells Whyte, Moore To Tri-City
[Vancouver Province, Jan. 27, 1953]
There’s room for two more new faces on the 1953 Caps’ roster today.
General Manager Dewey Soriano, continuing his house-cleaning, announced that pitcher Bill Whyte and infielder Jimmy Moore had been sold to the Tri-City Braves of the WIL.
Whyte, a Vancouver boy currently attending UBC, saw little service last year, winning three and losing two. Moore, in 35 games as an infield fill-in, hit .263.
Their departure brings to six the number of 1952 Caps Soriano has cut loose. The list includes outfielder Bob McGuire, who didn’t report last year. The others: Manager Edo Vanni, pitcher Ed Locke, and infielder Ray Tran.
KENNEWICK, Mon., Jan. 26— Edo Vanni, veteran Seattle outfielder, will be named playing-manager of the Tri-City Braves as soon as official word of his release by the Vancouver Capilanos is received here, Len Monheimer, the Braves' general manager, disclosed Monday night.
Vanni finished out the season last year as manager of the Vancouver club in the Western International Baseball League. But Dewey Soriano, the Caps' new general manager, announced recently Vanni would not be signed as pilot for the 1953 campaign.
Monheimer made his disclosure at the annual stockholders' meeting of the Tri-City Athletic Association, which will take over shortly as new owner of the Braves.
Vanni saw service with the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League for several seasons in the early '40s and has been with a number of WIL clubs in recent years.
Dewey Sells Whyte, Moore To Tri-City
[Vancouver Province, Jan. 27, 1953]
There’s room for two more new faces on the 1953 Caps’ roster today.
General Manager Dewey Soriano, continuing his house-cleaning, announced that pitcher Bill Whyte and infielder Jimmy Moore had been sold to the Tri-City Braves of the WIL.
Whyte, a Vancouver boy currently attending UBC, saw little service last year, winning three and losing two. Moore, in 35 games as an infield fill-in, hit .263.
Their departure brings to six the number of 1952 Caps Soriano has cut loose. The list includes outfielder Bob McGuire, who didn’t report last year. The others: Manager Edo Vanni, pitcher Ed Locke, and infielder Ray Tran.
Not Confirming Edo Yet
One Thing Certain, Edo Is Jobless At Present
[Tri-City Herald, Jan. 26, 1953]
Edo Vanni, former Vancouver manager, is becoming Mr. In and Out of the Western International league.
Back during the season, Vanni used to make frequent trips in and out from the outfield to the mound whenever his pitcher got into trouble. Now reports have Vanni in and out of the managership of the Tri-City Braves.
One thing is for certain—Vanni is out as far as the Vancouver managership is concerned. The Vancouver Daily Colonist [sic], quoting the Capilano front office, said Vanni had been sold to Tri-City.
Len Monheimer, new general manager of the Tri-City Braves said however, that the club hasn't bought Vanni nor hired him as manager. He said Eddie Fernandez of Pocatello and Vanni are both in the running for manager and if Fernandez is hired “we would like to have Vanni on the team if he would play without being manager.”
However, he emphasized, no decision is made yet and won't be until after Fernandez is interviewed, probably today.
Meanwhile, plans have been made for the meeting of Tri-City Athletic association stockholders tonight at 8 o'clock in the Kennewick City hall.
All stockholders, including those who have recently purchased stock either through the Tri-City Booster club or in later drives, should attend.
The chief business will be election of officers but several other problems will be discussed. It will also give the stockholders a chance to meet their No. 1 and tallest employee since Monheimer intends to attend the meeting.
[Tri-City Herald, Jan. 26, 1953]
Edo Vanni, former Vancouver manager, is becoming Mr. In and Out of the Western International league.
Back during the season, Vanni used to make frequent trips in and out from the outfield to the mound whenever his pitcher got into trouble. Now reports have Vanni in and out of the managership of the Tri-City Braves.
One thing is for certain—Vanni is out as far as the Vancouver managership is concerned. The Vancouver Daily Colonist [sic], quoting the Capilano front office, said Vanni had been sold to Tri-City.
Len Monheimer, new general manager of the Tri-City Braves said however, that the club hasn't bought Vanni nor hired him as manager. He said Eddie Fernandez of Pocatello and Vanni are both in the running for manager and if Fernandez is hired “we would like to have Vanni on the team if he would play without being manager.”
However, he emphasized, no decision is made yet and won't be until after Fernandez is interviewed, probably today.
Meanwhile, plans have been made for the meeting of Tri-City Athletic association stockholders tonight at 8 o'clock in the Kennewick City hall.
All stockholders, including those who have recently purchased stock either through the Tri-City Booster club or in later drives, should attend.
The chief business will be election of officers but several other problems will be discussed. It will also give the stockholders a chance to meet their No. 1 and tallest employee since Monheimer intends to attend the meeting.
Will Tri-City Pick Edo?
Manager Choice Either Edo Vanni, Fernandez
Decision Expected Soon Now
[Tri-City Herald, Jan. 25, 1953]
The job of playing manager for the Tri-City Braves was still an open question Satruday night but the choice has boiled down to Eddo [sic] Vanni or Eddie Fernandez.
Vanni was manager last year for Vancouver. Fernandez comes with high recommendations from the Pioneer League where he was named manager of the year. He piloted the Pocatello club.
Members of the Tri-City Athletic association and the new general manager, Len Monheimer met Saturday and Saturday night out could not reach a decision.
Monheimer said, however, that one will be hired within the next two or three days. The board talked with Vanni Saturday and will interview Fernandez soon.
A good share of the choosing will fall on Monheimer. The new general manager is faced with a difficult problem. Vanni is a popular player with lots of color. He plays in the outfield and his Vancouver club finished second last season.
But Fernandez, a catcher, has a lot in his favor. He has consistently produced winning clubs in the Pioneer league and the press in that area praises him highly.
Pocatello was a St. Louis Brown farm club last year and Fernandez has major league connections. It is the hope of both Monheimer and the association board that they can establish such connections if not reach a working agreement with a major league club.
SPORTS NOTES
By Gil Gilmore [from Tri-City Herald, Jan. 25, 1953]
Decision Expected Soon Now
[Tri-City Herald, Jan. 25, 1953]
The job of playing manager for the Tri-City Braves was still an open question Satruday night but the choice has boiled down to Eddo [sic] Vanni or Eddie Fernandez.
Vanni was manager last year for Vancouver. Fernandez comes with high recommendations from the Pioneer League where he was named manager of the year. He piloted the Pocatello club.
Members of the Tri-City Athletic association and the new general manager, Len Monheimer met Saturday and Saturday night out could not reach a decision.
Monheimer said, however, that one will be hired within the next two or three days. The board talked with Vanni Saturday and will interview Fernandez soon.
A good share of the choosing will fall on Monheimer. The new general manager is faced with a difficult problem. Vanni is a popular player with lots of color. He plays in the outfield and his Vancouver club finished second last season.
But Fernandez, a catcher, has a lot in his favor. He has consistently produced winning clubs in the Pioneer league and the press in that area praises him highly.
Pocatello was a St. Louis Brown farm club last year and Fernandez has major league connections. It is the hope of both Monheimer and the association board that they can establish such connections if not reach a working agreement with a major league club.
SPORTS NOTES
By Gil Gilmore [from Tri-City Herald, Jan. 25, 1953]
The new general manager of the Tri-City Braves is a man who looks like he should be playing on a pro basketball team. He is tall enough to do a guarding job on Houbrogs.
In his younger days, which aren't too far away since he is only 29, he jumped from the frying pan into the fire by going from sports writing to baseball managing. Being a man who has been in one position and in close contact with men in the other, I would hate to say which job carries the most troubles.
Monheimer did his sports writing for Los Angeles City College which he attended before going into baseball.
Monheimer considers the job here a “real challenge.” Getting the fans out will be a challenge in more ways than one. But he sees the good side, too.
Monheimer points out that there must be real baseball interest here or the Tri-Cities would not be able to raise the money to retain the club. “All of those people who bought stock will be boosters,” he said.
OLD TIMER
Among-the-many-things-I-didn't-know-before department—Calgary's entry in the Western International is really a re-entry into the league. In 1922 Calgary was a member of the Pacific Coast International League which the official Baseball Register says the WIL was "known as" in those days.
But let's hope history doesn't repeat, Calgary was leading that year with a .600 when on June 18 the league did an el foldo. Any oldtimer know the details? I was something over three months old at the time so all I have is the book.
In his younger days, which aren't too far away since he is only 29, he jumped from the frying pan into the fire by going from sports writing to baseball managing. Being a man who has been in one position and in close contact with men in the other, I would hate to say which job carries the most troubles.
Monheimer did his sports writing for Los Angeles City College which he attended before going into baseball.
Monheimer considers the job here a “real challenge.” Getting the fans out will be a challenge in more ways than one. But he sees the good side, too.
Monheimer points out that there must be real baseball interest here or the Tri-Cities would not be able to raise the money to retain the club. “All of those people who bought stock will be boosters,” he said.
OLD TIMER
Among-the-many-things-I-didn't-know-before department—Calgary's entry in the Western International is really a re-entry into the league. In 1922 Calgary was a member of the Pacific Coast International League which the official Baseball Register says the WIL was "known as" in those days.
But let's hope history doesn't repeat, Calgary was leading that year with a .600 when on June 18 the league did an el foldo. Any oldtimer know the details? I was something over three months old at the time so all I have is the book.
Edo Vanni-shes (Officially)
CAPS CLEAN HOUSE
Vanni, R. Tran Depart
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver Province, Friday, Jan. 23, 1953]
All the Caps’ baseball brass will have a bright new polish this summer.
The “new deal” at the stadium, which started when Bob Brown took over as WIL president and Dewey Soriano replaced him as general manager, is going to extend right down to the Caps’ player-coach ranks.
Soriano today confirmed the not too well kept secret that Edo Vanni won’t be back in ’53 as team manager, and announced that veteran Ray Tran, “assistant manager” in 1952, has been sold to Tri-City.
With Tommy English taking over as head man at the sponsoring brewery and replacing N.C.K. (Chuck) Wills as baseball club president, that completes the sweep job in the locals’ executive branch.
Vanni was given his release, Soriano said, and may possibly catch on at Tri-City as manager or with Yakima in some capacity. Tran, shortstop and third baseman, went to the Braves as a player-coach.
Soriano also disclosed that Jim Hedgecock, out of baseball last summer, is feeling the urge again, and has written that he’s interested in reporting this spring. The clever southpaw was obtained last spring after he won 14 and lost 11 with the seventh-place Victoria team in 1951.
Vanni, R. Tran Depart
By CLANCY LORANGER
[Vancouver Province, Friday, Jan. 23, 1953]
All the Caps’ baseball brass will have a bright new polish this summer.
The “new deal” at the stadium, which started when Bob Brown took over as WIL president and Dewey Soriano replaced him as general manager, is going to extend right down to the Caps’ player-coach ranks.
Soriano today confirmed the not too well kept secret that Edo Vanni won’t be back in ’53 as team manager, and announced that veteran Ray Tran, “assistant manager” in 1952, has been sold to Tri-City.
With Tommy English taking over as head man at the sponsoring brewery and replacing N.C.K. (Chuck) Wills as baseball club president, that completes the sweep job in the locals’ executive branch.
Vanni was given his release, Soriano said, and may possibly catch on at Tri-City as manager or with Yakima in some capacity. Tran, shortstop and third baseman, went to the Braves as a player-coach.
Soriano also disclosed that Jim Hedgecock, out of baseball last summer, is feeling the urge again, and has written that he’s interested in reporting this spring. The clever southpaw was obtained last spring after he won 14 and lost 11 with the seventh-place Victoria team in 1951.
Edo Vanni-shes
today’s fanfare
Double-Talk Left Vanni On Outside Peering In
By Eric Whitehead
[Vancouver Province, Jan. 21]
We note with interest the cunning innuendos concerning the future of lives and times of Edo Vanni, the man who took over as field boss of the 1952 Capilanos following the hurried departure of Bill Schuster.
The question of the return or otherwise of Mr. Vanni is buried in a palpitating welter of sly hints and cunning double-talk.
One daredevil scribe yesterday took the bull by the horns and boldly announced “. . . the Caps may drop Vanni. . .”
What’s everyone being so all fired coy about? May drop Vanni, be hanged. Vanni has been dropped, period.
On Dec. 31, 1952, in this corner we said, “Vanni is through with Vancouver. He will not either either as player or manager.”
That’s exactly as is.
Seattle’s vice-president, Torchy Torrance, wanted Vanni back in Vancouver. “He has all the earmarks of a great manager,” explained Torchy.
The Caps’ new G.M. Dewey Soriano, having found no evidence of such earmarks in Edo’s brief ’52 managerial fling, said no.
• • •
He said it politely, of course. But firmly. Torrance and Soriano got together definitely on this a week ago.
Said Torchy, regretfully: “I’ll tell Edo tomorrow.”
So now that Edo knows, Dewey knows and Torrance knows, we merely have to count knowses to corroborate a long-standing fact.
Edo (to re-cap last year’s news) is definitely the Vanni-shing American.
It’s anybody’s guess as to who will take over the Vancouver skipper’s job this spring, but it’s an open secret as to who the Cap management would like to have, were he available. Which, unfortunately, he isn’t.
The man is that former ex-people’s choice and one-time Cap pilot Bill “Flash” Brenner, the only man in baseball who could read “Pickwick Papers” on the way from home plate to first base.
But old slow-poke—not so old in the early thirties—is dearly loved by the Vancouver front office despite his parting of the ways with Bob Brown a few seasons back.
Soriano and club president Tommy English make no bones about the fact that they would welcome Brenner back into the organization and with open arms.
• • •
The fact that both Soriano and English specifically stipulate “open arms” and not “pocketbooks” is the barrier to the potentially dramatic sequel to “Lassie Come Home.”
Between his Vancouver departure and now, handsome William has latched onto a very prosperous combined ops' career in tiny but prosperous Lewiston, Idaho. As combined general manager, field manager and ace-pitcher, Brenner is probably makig more money than any club player or exec in the Western International League.
Brenner himself would like to come back. But the cost of living being what it is, he weighs his affection in dollars and horse-sense.
But as Bill himself cautiously put it just the other day: “It might be worked out.”
Hmmm. We wonder.
Double-Talk Left Vanni On Outside Peering In
By Eric Whitehead
[Vancouver Province, Jan. 21]
We note with interest the cunning innuendos concerning the future of lives and times of Edo Vanni, the man who took over as field boss of the 1952 Capilanos following the hurried departure of Bill Schuster.
The question of the return or otherwise of Mr. Vanni is buried in a palpitating welter of sly hints and cunning double-talk.
One daredevil scribe yesterday took the bull by the horns and boldly announced “. . . the Caps may drop Vanni. . .”
What’s everyone being so all fired coy about? May drop Vanni, be hanged. Vanni has been dropped, period.
On Dec. 31, 1952, in this corner we said, “Vanni is through with Vancouver. He will not either either as player or manager.”
That’s exactly as is.
Seattle’s vice-president, Torchy Torrance, wanted Vanni back in Vancouver. “He has all the earmarks of a great manager,” explained Torchy.
The Caps’ new G.M. Dewey Soriano, having found no evidence of such earmarks in Edo’s brief ’52 managerial fling, said no.
• • •
He said it politely, of course. But firmly. Torrance and Soriano got together definitely on this a week ago.
Said Torchy, regretfully: “I’ll tell Edo tomorrow.”
So now that Edo knows, Dewey knows and Torrance knows, we merely have to count knowses to corroborate a long-standing fact.
Edo (to re-cap last year’s news) is definitely the Vanni-shing American.
It’s anybody’s guess as to who will take over the Vancouver skipper’s job this spring, but it’s an open secret as to who the Cap management would like to have, were he available. Which, unfortunately, he isn’t.
The man is that former ex-people’s choice and one-time Cap pilot Bill “Flash” Brenner, the only man in baseball who could read “Pickwick Papers” on the way from home plate to first base.
But old slow-poke—not so old in the early thirties—is dearly loved by the Vancouver front office despite his parting of the ways with Bob Brown a few seasons back.
Soriano and club president Tommy English make no bones about the fact that they would welcome Brenner back into the organization and with open arms.
• • •
The fact that both Soriano and English specifically stipulate “open arms” and not “pocketbooks” is the barrier to the potentially dramatic sequel to “Lassie Come Home.”
Between his Vancouver departure and now, handsome William has latched onto a very prosperous combined ops' career in tiny but prosperous Lewiston, Idaho. As combined general manager, field manager and ace-pitcher, Brenner is probably makig more money than any club player or exec in the Western International League.
Brenner himself would like to come back. But the cost of living being what it is, he weighs his affection in dollars and horse-sense.
But as Bill himself cautiously put it just the other day: “It might be worked out.”
Hmmm. We wonder.
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