After just 11 years in Milwaukee, the Braves’ Board of Directors votes to ask the National League for permission to move to Atlanta
On October 21, 1964 — After just 11 years in Milwaukee, the Braves’ Board of Directors votes to ask the National League for permission to move to Atlanta. Milwaukee County officials sue to block the move.
National League club owners met today to consider the transfer of the Milwaukee franchise to Atlanta for 1965 but a bare-knuckle fight between the Braves and Milwaukee officials raised speculation as to what action if any the owners would take.
The Braves’ board of directors voted Wednesday to move the team for the second time in 11 years, and the owners were expected to approve the shift. 1 But several hours after the club’s decision to quit Milwaukee was announced, a temporary injunction was obtained by Milwaukee County officials restraining the Braves . from moving or from seeking permission to move. Whether the unprecedented legal maneuver would serve to block the club owners’ action at today’s special meeting in a mid-town hotel could not be determined. Legal papers apparently would have to be served here prior to the meeting. League President Warren Giles said Wednesday night he had not been informed of the injunction and planned to go ahead with the meeting. He would seek legal counsel, he said, if it became necessary.
Milwaukee’s legal counter-punch followed a 12-6 vote by the Braves’ directors, meeting in Chicago, to shift the club. The injunction forbids the Braves from applying to either the president of the league or the owners of other clubs for sanction to move. It temporarily prohibits the Braves, who have a year remaining on their County Stadium contract, from arranging, agreeing to play or scheduling any 1965 games at any site other than Milwaukee. Braves representatives were ordered by Circuit Judge Ronald Drechsler to appear next Tuesday to show cause why the injunction should not be made permanent. Until the legal bombshell was dropped, it appeared certain that the owners would approve the shift. Approval by six of the other nine clubs was needed and no serious opposition was foreseen.
Milwuakee Mayor Henry Maier said he was “completely disheartened” by the Braves’ decision and said it removes the illusion that baseball, is a sport rather than a business. “I think the circumstances of this transfer definitely gives baseball a black eye,” Maier said. The man in the street’s reaction went something like this: “It’h a dirty trick,” said one construction worker who didn’t want his name used. “They took the biggest share of the money and now they want to go someplace else,” said laborer Ernie Schultz, 43. “Leave them go,” Mrs.Elynor Meyer, 45, a candy store clerk said. They got me mad. We supported them for 12 years and now they want to move.” Patrolman Earl Howell, 41, said he felt Milwaukee is “still a big league city, one of the best.” Barber Rudy Klaprat, 65, had hope for the future, too. “Now maybe we can get an American League team here,’ Klaprat said. Junior librarian William J. K. Beaudot, 28 said the decision shows “that money not the fans dictate baseball.” One group of fans planned to hang a banner over Neur County Stadium today read- ing: “So long Milwaukee Braves ‘ and Injun Joe. Hope you scalp ’em Atlanta like you scalp ’em Milwaukee. Ugh.” Injun Joe was the name given to the Indian symbol which identified the Braves in Milwaukee for many fans. Reuss in his telegram to Giles said if expansion isn’t approved, and the Braves are permitted to move,” it will be the clearest possible violation of the anti-trust laws.” Milwaukee has local interests, he told Giles, who are “ready and able to accept a franchise,” furthermore, he . said, Milwaukee has demonstrated it is a big league city.
