Only Degree of Punishment of Schott Called Uncertain

A major league owner and member of baseball’s ruling executive council said Monday that Marge Schott, president of the Cincinnati Reds, will be disciplined for her racist and anti-Semitic remarks, but that the severity of the penalty will depend on her response to the council’s investigation.

“I have no doubt about (discipline), but to what extent hinges on her presentation,” said the council member, insisting on anonymity.

A four-member committee formed by the executive council to investigate Schott’s remarks presented its report to her shortly before Christmas and asked for her response by Wednesday.

Schott’s Washington attorney, Robert Bennett, later asked for an extension until Jan. 25. The executive council, meeting by phone Monday, voted to seek a full council meeting with Schott and her attorney before the 25th, the date still to be determined.

“Marge has Constitutional rights, irrespective of what the media or anyone else thinks,” the council member said. “She has been presented with what can be called a deposition of our findings, and she has the chance for rebuttal.”

The council member declined to describe the committee’s report, saying only that discipline is a certainty. The council, in the absence of a commissioner, can fine or suspend Schott or both, but it is more likely that she will agree to some type of negotiated penalty.

In the meantime, the council member pointed out, Schott has attempted to refurbish her image. She has issued apologies for her remarks, established a scholarship fund at the predominantly black Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education and set up an internship program for minority applicants with the Reds, among other things.

“I can’t predict how that will factor in to whatever action we take,” the council member said.