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MLB APPROVES MOVE, BROWNS HEAD FOR THE WEST COAST
Donald Barnes, owner of the St. Louis Browns with approval by the majority of the other MLB owners. The news was announced back on December 1st, during a news conference at Lyman's Cafe in Los Angeles.
Barnes (pictured left) a month later mentioned to the L.A. Times on how much he lucked out by moving the announcement up a single week, not knowing the tragedy of Pearl Harbor being right around the corner. "If we hadn't changed the date, and the announcement was on that unfortunate day, the move simply would never have happened, we would have called the whole thing off," says Barnes.
The move also has additional financial backing by Bank of America co-founder, A.P. Giannini. The Browns will move into the Los Angeles Angels' minor league stadium, Wrigley Field, with plans to enlarge the park. The Angels (member of the Pacific Coast League) will move south to Long Beach, and will serve as the top Browns farm club. The St. Louis Cardinals' owner Sam Breadon chipped in $250,000 to help make this deal happen, while not having to worry about in-town competition.
The deal also answered travel worries, striking a partnership with both TWA Airlines, and the Chicago-to-Los Angeles Santa Fe Railroad.
The move also proves to be a historical move with the Los Angeles Browns becoming the first professional sports team located on the West Coast, while the team will benefit with a massive market all to themselves.
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