[cardsfan73]

"During the off-season St. Louis sold Willis to the minor league Baltimore Orioles of the Eastern League. Although some doubt existed whether Willis would report to the minors, he told the Baltimore Sun: "I feel very much satisfied to play in Baltimore." Despite this apparent sale, both the Cubs and Reds put in a waiver claim for Willis. These waiver claims were ruled to be valid; St. Louis President Stanley Robison had mistakenly believed his waivers were good until the opening of the next season and consequently had to return Baltimore's check. Willis ended up being awarded to Chicago for the $1,500 waiver price, but elected to retire rather than report to the Cubs."