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January 7, 1957

OKURA ITO APPOINTED COMMISSIONER
PLAYERS DELIGHTED, OWNERS ACQUIESCE TO KING’S CHOICE

Kingston, Oxford (BP) – The search for a new Commissioner of the United Leagues has officially come to an end as King William announced earlier today that Okura Ito has been appointed to succeed the retiring Sir David Westfall. Mr. Ito’s appointment will take affect at the conclusion of the current season.

Speaking to reporters on the steps of Kemsley Palace in Braeland City, the King introduced Okura Ito “as the clear choice” to succeed Sir Westfall as the next Commissioner, just the second in the United Leagues’ history.

“After a thorough search,” the King continued, “it became abundantly clear that the best candidate to assume the Office of the Commissioner was in that Office already – Deputy Commissioner Okura Ito. Not only has he been indispensable in assisting Commissioner Sir David Westfall over the past two and half years in carrying out his duties, Okura has also demonstrated his dedication and passion for the United Leagues in earning the trust of both the owners and players. His tireless work behind the scenes has witnessed the greatly improved relationship among the entire United Leagues ‘family’. I am pleased beyond words that Okura has accepted the appointment as the next Commissioner of the United Leagues, knowing that the Leagues will be in good hands with a bright future.”

Stepping up to the podium while flanked by both the King and Sir David Westfall, the 45-year old Ito admitted to being “a little overwhelmed at first” at his appointment but is eager is carry on the work begun by Sir Westfall.

“It is hard to put into words how humbling this day is for me,” admitted Ito. “When I returned to Braeland nearly five years ago, I never dreamed something like this could happen to me – a battered, bruised and washed-up former ballplayer. But David took me under his wing and showed me that I still had something valuable to offer – to this Country and this League. I thank His Majesty and Sir David Westfall, as well as the players and owners – for their confidence in me as I assume this new assignment. Since its inception in 1937, the United Leagues has captured the hearts and minds of all Braelanders. It has become interwoven into the fabric of our national identity. It is a responsibility I do not take lightly. I look forward to working with both the owners and players in continuing the strides we have made in laying the groundwork for a strong future.”

Ito’s Remarkable Journey

By now, almost all Braelanders know the Okura Ito Story by heart: how the four-time all-star and two-time United Cup winner was forced to leave Braeland when the country severed diplomatic relations with the Empire of Japan back in July 1941; his induction into the Braeland Baseball Hall of Fame in May 1947 at a time when his whereabouts and ultimate fate were unknown and his remarkable discovery later that year as a returning prisoner of war. Braelanders welcomed his return to Braeland in May 1952 at the invitation of Sir David Westfall to serve as Senior Vice-President of the United Leagues’ newly formed Japan-Pacific Department to encourage more Japanese-born ballplayers to play in the United Leagues until his appointment as Deputy Commissioner two-and-a-half years ago to assist the Commissioner in bridging the divide that had formed between the intransigent Owners and a newly emboldened Players’ Union. It is perhaps because of these adversities and challenges rather than in spite of them, that Mr. Ito has become the most qualified person to lead the United Leagues into the future. He is undoubtedly the most respected.

Consensus Choice – But with Reservations

The appointment of Okuro Ito as the next Commissioner culminates a search that lasted nearly seven months. Among the other known candidates to be considered was Eastern League President Declan Bowman and former Braeland Prime Minister Sir Douglas Avery. But Ito’s tireless efforts and tact to smooth over troubled relations that erupted a few years ago between the League owners and ballplayers over salary inequities did not go unnoticed – neither by the King nor by the players and owners. But while the appointment has been applauded by the United Leagues Ballplayers Fraternity, the owners’ reaction has been more muted. The belief is that they are still taking a ‘wait and see’ attitude until the former ballplayer’s personal loyalties are better known although they do not question his integrity. Indeed, those who have worked and interacted with Ito on League matters have noted his emphasis on consensus building and his ability to prod both parties to meet in the middle. These efforts have resulted in increased salaries across the board and quieted the call among ballplayers for the end of the dreaded reserve clause – at least for the time being. But the issue has not gone away entirely, and it will be up the new Commissioner to navigate those potential stormy waters when they return – sooner or later.