Goodbye Grey Skies, Hello Blue,
Toppers to Atlanta, No More LOU
by Glen Reed
Dateline: The A-T-L
   Today marked the consummation of a much-anticipated deal to relocate the former Colonels of Lousiville to new digs in Atlanta, the so-called Phoenix of the South. The newly christened franchise? The Atlanta Hilltoppers.
   The 'Toppers remain in the UL's West Division, and will ply their trade, such as it is, in recently completed Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. New ownership felt the location fitting, seeing as how the club hopes to rise from re-building ashes to be the Phoenix of the UL. And indeed, as part of the total re-do of the club, the new kit will feature a shoulder patch of the city seal on cream-colored home unies with crimson letters and piping. Nobody knows what a "topper" actually is, so the mascot is decidedly dodgey, but sure as hell seems to fit this dumpy, frumpy franchise.
   Former MicroLeaguers (in other words, about half the league!) will recognize the Hilltoppers reference from seasons past. And indeed, the hope is to complete the job started way back when (four or five years ago? or more?) and actually bring home a World Series under the Topper banner. And sticking with the ML theme, I always alternated between pitching and hitting teams in those seasons in the old game. Well, El Sobrante then and Brooklyn now were pitching sides--all my energy went into acquiring arms first--so I figure I'm overdue for a hitting team. In other words, don't be surprised when I trade arms for sticks in an attempt to build hitting first.
   The club pays the requisite $10MM relocation fee, completing negotiations begun with the league office shortly after the ownership change announced during the 1964 season. The only other location seriously in contention happened to be the the pitching-friendly confines of Wrigley Field in Chicago. But moving into Lancie's backyard was deemed a hostile act, and league higher-ups felt it important to maintain a southern presence, consistent with the desire to expand baseball into all regions of the country. Atlanta had been on the short-list for both recent expansions, and would not be denied a third time.

Commish Welcomes Atlanta Baseball
   The relocation of the struggling Louisville franchise was necessary for the long-term strength of the league, Commissioner Timothy J. Smith said today.  Atlanta has been vying for a UL franchise since the league's birth nearly 15 years ago, and was passed over three times: in the allocation of the original eight franchises in 1951 and in subsequent expansions in 1955 and 1962.  Atlanta is a larger market than Louisville and an important regional hub, a league official said.  The Hilltoppers expect to build broad support across the South.
   The selection of Louisville as one of the original eight in 1951 was a big surprise, especially to officials in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Cleveland, former major league cities.  Owner Mark Allen was a controversial figure inside and outside Louisville, but was an instrumental figure in the early days the league.  Allen built a successful franchise despite playing in the league's smallest market.  The Colonels finished in the top three for six years running from 1957-62, and won the league championship in 1958, but the club descended into chaos on and off the field after Allen's return after a two-year hiatus for personal reasons.  Allen undertook the most radical rebuilding program in UL history in 1963, to disastrous effect.  The club won 24 fewer games in 1963 and posted the worst record in league history in 1964 (44-118).  As attendance and revenue plummeted, Allen was forced out by club officials.  Veteran Billy Goodman took control of the team on the field, while club owners looked to sell the team before it fell into bankruptcy.
   For years Atlanta city officials had courted the club as a relocation candidate and were continually rebuffed.  But by 1964 Louisville's long-term viability as a major-league city had been undermined by years of losses and shrinking revenues.  The Colonels were in the black only three times in 14 seasons, and lost a total of $37 million.
   Commissioner Timothy J. Smith called the relocation an important step for the long-term health of the league.  "By relocating our weakest club to Atlanta, we simultaneously address the league's top two priorities: ensuring we have 12 healthy franchises and spreading baseball to all geographic regions," he told reporters at a press conference in New York.  Smith emphasized that expansion was off the table, and that Atlanta was the only truly viable UL host city anyway.  Stadium issues have ruled out a team in Philadelphia, despite its being the fourth largest city in the country.
   The league introduced California baseball in 1955 and put a team in the Lone Star State in 1962, but the Hilltoppers are the first UL presence in the Deep South.  The move was approved on the condition that the club remain in the West Division, allaying the fears of some East Division owners.
   Atlanta's population is 1.7 million, making it the 17th largest metro area in the nation and nearly twice the size of Louisville, but still the smallest city in the league.  Insiders familiar with the relocation talks said on condition of anonymity that Seattle was briefly under consideration but was ultimately rejected because of the poor condition of Sicks Stadium.  Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium was not slated for completion until 1966, and part of the Hilltoppers' $10 million relocation fee will go toward completing the facility.  The park has no grass on its field yet, and no lights, but club officials are confident the field will be ready for the April 7 home opener against the San Francisco Spiders.  However, the Toppers will play only day games at home until the All-Star Break.
   Upon hearing the news of the move, a small group (is there any other kind?) of Colonels fans gathered outside Parkway Field, started a bonfire with unused season tickets, and burned Glen Reed in effigy.  "If that boy ever steps foot in Jefferson County, he's a dead man!" exclaimed one irrate fan.  The Hilltoppers farm team will play in Louisville this year, until the club finds another city. 
  

  TRADES
CLEVELAND gets:
1B Bill Skowron (6000)
SP Johnny Podres (3200)
3B Willie Jones (3200)

ST. LOUIS gets:
1B Bill White (5120)
SS Maury Wills (1200)
SP Bob Sadowski (1000)
SP Glen Hobbie (500)
SS Jim Fregosi (500)
CLE '65 1st Rd draft pick
CLE '65 3rd Rd draft pick
CLE '66 1st Rd draft pick
CLE '66 2nd Rd draft pick

CLEVELAND gets:
C Gus Triandos (1000)
SP Ernie Portocarrero (300)

SAN FRANCISCO gets:
SP Juan Marichal (1000)
C J.C. Martin (300)

ATLANTA gets:
MR Joe Grzenda (300)

BROOKLYN gets:
SS Don Kessinger (1500)

ATLANTA gets:
C Jerry Grote (1000)

WASHINGTON gets:
MR Pete Burnside (500)
MR Joe Moeller (300)
SS Dick Schofeild (300)
RF Sam Bowens (300)
SP Bob Heffner (300)
3B Marty Martinez (300)

LOS ANGELES gets:
RF Ron Swoboda (1000)
C Jeff Torborg (500)

WASHINGTON gets:
LA '66 4th Rd pick

BOSTON gets:
1B Don Mincher (1200)

WASHINGTON gets:
MR Mike McCormick (300)
1B Pancho Herrera (300)
3B Dick Tracewski (300)

CHICAGO gets:
MR Dan Osinski (1500)
WAS '66 3rd round pick

WASHINGTON gets:
MR Danny McDevitt (300)
MR Ed Rakow (300)

LOS ANGELES gets:
RF Harry Simpson (500)
STL '66 4th round pick

ST. LOUIS gets:
C Bill Sarni (4000)
$3 million