Billy Martin ended a tumultuous week today by resigning as manager of the Detroit Tigers after having fined Willie Horton, one of his star outfielders.edj wrote: ↑Sun Feb 19, 2023 6:57 pmhttps://www.nytimes.com/1973/03/31/arch ... igers.html
Mentions the Billy Martin incident.
Martin strode out of a meeting with Horton and Jim Campbell, vice president and general manager of the Tigers, saying: “Getyourself another manager.”
Campbell, though, indicated that he expected Martin to return once his feelings became unruffled and scheduled a meeting with him tomorrow morning. But the team was turned over to Coach Joe Schultz this afternoon for a trip to Clearwater, where the Tigers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 9.5, in one of their last appearance of spring training.
It was understood, though, that the fine totaled $300 and it marked the second time in two weeks that Horton had taken off his uniform and left the clubhouse. Four years ago, the outfielder once left a game during the regular season, complaining about the “treatment” he had received.
The argument reportedly was not related directly to an incident with racial overtones earlier this week, but may have grown from it. Martin and Ike Blessitt, a rookie infielder, were arrested and fined $32 apiece outside a restaurant‐bar here. Blessitt had just been assigned to the minor leagues when Martin entered the bar and found him arguing with another customer.
“I went over to him and told him to quiet down,” Martin said later, “and that he was in enough trouble being out past the 11:30 curfew for ballplayers. We went outside and I told him everything would be all right, when two cops drove up and said he was tinder arrest. I said he hadn't done anything and they arrested me.”
After last night's fining of Horton, who was Blessitt's roommate, Martin met this morning with both Campbell and Horton.
“I told them,” Campbell said, “that if either of you has any problem, talk it over and get it settled. It was an even‐tempered discussion. I didn't criticize the fine—actually, I increased it.
“I turned to Willie and said that he should go to the man ager if he had a problem, close the door and discuss it. Willie did wrong and he admitted it. Leaving the camp was a violation of club rules.
“Then I turned to Martin, and said he should talk things out with players if they had problems. But at that, Billy jumped up and said, Get yourself another manager. I quit. And he stormed out of the office.”
Martin, who led the Tigers to the Eastern Division title in the American League last season, has a reputation as quick‐tempered person—a fiery ballplayer 15 years ago and an aggressive manager since then with the Minnesota Twins and the Tigers.
“Billy is Billy,” Campbell re fleeted. “I feel that he'll be back. And when he does come back there will be absolutely no punishment or fine or anything like that.”
Martin's ohly comment was: “I've had it. I've resigned.”
Later, though, Campbell met with John Fetzer, owner of the club, after the Tigers had returned — with Horton — from Clearwater. The victory was Detroit's 12th against 11 losses this spring and Horton contributed one hit in four times at bat.
After the incident involving Blessitt last Monday night, Martin said that he and the player had been talking outside the bar when one of the policemen made a racial remark to Blessitt. The manager said he had replied: “What do you mean? He hasn't done anything.”
Then, Martin went on the policemen put both under arrest, charging they had used profanity in a public parking lot. They each posted $32 bond and indicated they would forfeit the money rather than appear in court and continue the incident.