Jan. 31, 1927: Striking a blow against conflicts of interest, National League president John Heydler rules that future Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby cannot own stock in the St. Louis Cardinals and play second base for the New York Giants.
Hornsby, one of baseball’s greatest hitters, had received the stock as part of his contract when he replaced Branch Rickey as player-manager of the Cardinals in 1925. While Hornsby was a fine player—and a good manager, leading the Cards to the World Series title in 1926—he was a difficult personality. Cardinals owner Sam Breadon soon tired of Hornsby and his contract demands and traded him to New York for Frankie Frisch and Jimmy Ring just months after the 1926 Series.
After Heydler’s ruling, Hornsby and Breadon tangled over the valuation of the stock that Hornsby had to sell, a disagreement that eventually forced the rest of the league to chip in the difference between what Hornsby wanted and what Breadon offered. In addition, the Cardinals board, striking a blow against those who would strike blows against conflicts of interest, awarded the club’s stockholders—including Hornsby—a hefty dividend.—Jeffrey Kanige
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