BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Marge Schott
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The Marge Schott era that produced screaming headlines ended Friday with a terse three-paragraph press release.
Or did it?
Major League Baseball finally approved Mrs. Schott's signature Friday on a document saying she will entertain offers to sell her two controlling shares in the Cincinnati Reds and a total of 5.5 of her 6.5 shares.
But a source close to Mrs. Schott said Friday night she was upset with the timing of the announcement because she didn't talk with MLB Commissioner Bud Selig.
Radio reports Friday night said Mrs. Schott was livid and contemplating her options.
A baseball source said, however, that she was told in advance of Friday's announcement.
"I have no comment," Mr. Selig said. "The agreement speaks for itself."
The Enquirer reported two weeks ago that baseball was waiting for Mrs. Schott's written clarification on a document that stipulated Managing Executive John Allen would continue to run the club until Mrs. Schott had sold her shares.
Baseball's six-month wait, which one official compared to "a root canal," ended Friday. Although the agreement doesn't specifically say Mrs. Schott will sell her shares, she'll never return to power, because Mr. Allen's tenure is extended to Dec. 31, 1998, or until she sells her partnership shares.
Mrs. Schott wouldn't comment Friday. Mr. Allen couldn't be reached.
MLB officials, anticipating Mrs. Schott's disdain for deadlines, indicated the Dec. 31 date isn't critical. The agreement is simply a device to extend Mr. Allen's term.
Mrs. Schott was suspended June 12, 1996, from running the Reds day-to-day for 2 1/2 seasons because of insensitive remarks. It was her second such suspension.
If Mrs. Schott hadn't signed the document, she faced an extension of her suspension.
Baseball threatened to extend the suspension after learning of allegations by General Motors that she had used the names of Reds employees to defraud the automaker. GM dropped a complaint it filed with the state against Mrs. Schott in January 1997, however, when she sold her Montgomery Chevrolet-Geo dealership.
Her tumultuous 14-year reign as president and chief executive officer also included two division titles and a sweep of the 1990 World Series.
But with the glory was a 1992 court deposition in which she was accused of calling former Reds Dave Parker and Eric Davis "million-dollar niggers."
Mr. Parker, now the St. Louis Cardinals' batting instructor, was more reflective Friday than angry. He recalled standing at the batting cage at Cinergy Field this past summer when he felt a hand on his. He turned around and it was Mrs. Schott.
"It is said that time has a tendency to heal all wounds," Mr. Parker said. "We had a nice conversation. I didn't feel any animosity toward her. It's just sad that type of stuff (Mrs. Schott's comments) takes place in this day and age."
Mr. Davis, who was traded after the 1991 season and returned for the 1996 season, said, "When a person tells you they said something that was taken out of context, you have to believe them. I always got along well with Marge. In fact, if she was making the decisions back in 1996, I never would have left. I still think I would have been there."
Many people believe Mrs. Schott's comments were rooted in the era in which she was raised and that she can't help herself, Mr. Parker said.
"It's finally come to this," he said. "I can't say if it's good or bad. But baseball goes through transition, and people do, too. My understanding is she'll still hold a share in the team, and she probably needs that."
Reds Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench told WLW radio Friday night that Mrs. Schott's comments had been an embarrassment to him as he traveled through the country.
"You cringe, certainly, when anybody says that," he said of her insensitive remarks.
Baseball, he said, is not being unfair to Mrs. Schott in pushing her to sell. "She's going to have to live with that," he said, "and she is living with that."
Mr. Bench said it's time now to focus on the new ownership, the new stadium and the future of the team.
Mr. Allen continues to run the club with the powers invested in him through the June 12, 1996, suspension agreement.
"I respect Mrs. Schott's decision and will do everything I can to ensure a dignified and orderly transition," Mr. Selig said.
MLB insiders aren't aware of an imminent sale, but observers agree a group of her limited partners are poised to match any offers for Mrs. Schott's controlling shares.
Last month, Louise Nippert, Carl Lindner, George Strike and Bill Reik together matched the $7 million offer of Washington, D.C., entrepreneur Jon Ledecky for one of the Reds' 15 shares.
Hamilton County Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus said Friday's news and the role of the limiteds could boost the campaign effort of the Reds and county to put a new ballpark on the riverfront instead of Broadway Commons.
"There's a clear indication the limiteds will be the core of the new ownership group," Mr. Bedinghaus said. "That leaves John Allen firmly in charge . . . and provides nothing but stable leadership into the future."
With Mrs. Schott's two general-partner shares set to expire with the club's limited partnership on Dec. 31, 2000, they are worth about the same as a regular share.
That would put the price for her 5.5 shares in the $35 million range. MLB is banking she'll sell sooner than later, because her shares devalue the closer her control ends in 26 months.
"With all the speculation, this is anti-climactic," said Carter Randolph, Mrs. Nippert's representative. "This means Marge will be taking offers, I guess, and Mrs. Nippert will look at anything on the table, but that doesn't mean she'll do anything."
The limiteds have a right to match any offer. A leading candidate outside the group is Cincinnati businessman William O. DeWitt Jr., who would have to divest his principal ownership in the St. Louis Cardinals.
Mr. DeWitt reiterated Friday he is happy with the Cardinals, but Cincinnati business observers believe he would be intrigued at owning his hometown team.
"I hope Marge is doing OK with this decision," said Barry Larkin, the Reds' homegrown captain who has endured strained moments with Mrs. Schott.
"Yes, there have been some awkward times," said Mr. Larkin, an African-American. "But, overall, she has always been very respectful of me and my family. I know that she loves going to the park and baseball means everything to her. I'm thinking of her and hope she's OK."
Mr. Larkin is concerned about the effect an interim period might have on the Reds' ability to increase payroll to become more competitive following two cost-cutting seasons.
Reds General Manager Jim Bowden said he expects the club to continue to build through player development until the new ballpark opens.
"The direction of this team is unchanged," said Mr. Bowden, who recently signed a four-year extension. "I wouldn't have signed on for five years of my life if I didn't believe this would be a positive experience."
Mr. Bowden said despite the controversy that swirled around her, her legacy stands as one of the most successful medium-market owners in the free-agent era.
"She wanted to give Reds fans the best," Mr. Bowden said. "And she won by keeping prices low for the fans. That's how she should be remembered. She gave Reds fans winning baseball at an affordable price."
John Erardi contributed to this report.
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