Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-27
HARD LUCK IS
LAJ0|E'S JONAH
Major League Managers
Make Some Interesting
Comment.

NAP La joie is the hard luck mana ger
of the base ball world
This was the consensus of opinion Of
the different club owners and managers
at the recent meeting Of the major
leagues in New York
with anything like an even break in
luck the Cleveland club would have won
the pennant the last two seasons, yes,
possibly the last three sea sons" remarked
Clarke Griffith, former manager of the
New York Americans. and the new leader
of the Cincinnati Reds.
."rhere is one man that has had more
than his share Of hard luck, but he has
always been in the fight continued Crit
fifth "And considering what he had to go
through, it was enough to drive any man
ager off the boards forever. ] have had
my ups and downs I'm base ball, but they
cannot compare with what Larry has
had to go up against
Just think Of having a team the last
four or five years that was always picked
to win the pennant by the winter dope
sters That is usually the case, but you
did not notice Larry making any rIedic-
tons. ] always feared the Cleveland
club, and they were mighty dangerous at
the start OF the season. When the out
look was rosy, one or two star players
would be injured, and after that the team
would be broken up repeatedly with ac
cidents to his good men. But Larry chung
steadily to the grind and never gave up.
Developed Two Great Stars.
Look at my chances last spring, but
my team blew up. Larry started the sea-
son without the services of Flick. and
han, 70 t,o a
other men. Yet the Maps were only
beaten out by half game for the pen
nant. That was due to pluck and fight
ing all the way. They always say that
I-ajoie is no manager and cannot handle
his men. Well, by this time | believe
critics will give him credit for some
things he has done. One Of the greatest
stunts was the developing of Perring and
Birmingham, and I think that they are
two great stars right now
DO you want me to tell YOU the great
est trouble with the Cleveland club It
is the lack OF fight shown by some of the
players. although l must admit they Ger
tainly made a gritty finish Now say
had they shown that same spirit all sea-
son why they would have just logged
under the wire. IT took La ioie some time
to instill that fighting spirit, but when
once in the players they could not he
(
land to be in the race for the pennaut In
1909. for the players will know how to
fight and also keep their tempers Te.
them go into every game with that nevcs,
die spirit and you will see club called
Cleveland run away with the rag
Griff Explains Position.
"Why have I left the American League I?
Well, that is easily explained. They did
not want me in New York and all the
other clubs were fortified with managers
My ambition Is to be a club owner in
some fast minor league. I had hoped to
connect with the Kansas City franchise,
and then also had my optics ready to
take in Buffalo. but both fell through
That Is why only would agree to a one
year contract with Cincinnati as manager
for may be able to put through my deal
for a minor league franchise by this time
next year. ! realize that my days as a
ball player are over, and want to be Il
real magnate. IL Jesse Rurkctt and other
former ball players can become mag
mates, we'll. I guess I can make good. My
Montana ranch can be looked after by n
superintendent until ! return. No. I will
never have 10 fear the wolf coming to
INV door,