The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-12-25
By WILLIAM PEET.

Nobody would dare pick q list OF
twenty best ball players and omit the
name Of Clark Griffith" remarked Doc
Harry White to the writer one day last
week. White continued:
Il always admired Grif, for the won
derful GOODNESS he always displayed in
pinch. With an even break in luck GriH
Would invariably win his games, for the
reason that he was always outguessing
the batter, and, after ALL that's the best
thing q pitcher has in his repertoire
Kid Elberfeld never tired Of talking
about Griff to the young pitchers down
in Atlanta during the Nationals train
ing trip last spring: I've been in games
with Griff,'' said Elberfeld, when we
we're leading by only run or two. Time
and again the opposing clubs would get
nlcn on bases and a heavy hitter up.
Cirin would take his time, walk to the
catcher and talk few seconds and be-
fore returning to the box would say to
nc batter: I'm going to breeze fast
one over the plate to you. you big yellow
tin and I'll bet you don't hit it
by the time Griff was ready to wind
IN, the batsman would be worked into
erfect frenzy of rage, nine times out of
ten he would let the ball go by. and, true
e, his words, Griff would slam over
straight one. Then the Old Fox would
him a few more polite names, with the
result that an outcurve would cause him
t. swing off his pins, or else he would
pop up a little dinky fly
That was Grif's method said Elber-
field, land in a tight place he would in
variably come out on top, leaving tke
batter completely baffied.
There will be a CLOSED for Christmas"
sign hung on the door of Manager Grif-
fth's office to-day. Like all good union
men, Griff does not believe in working
overtime or on holidays.
Such an excellent authority as Frank
bancroft, business manager of the Gin
cfnnati Reds. predicts that in few years
the game of baseball will have a series
for a real worlds championship. OF
course the title at present held by the
Athletics is somewhat Of a misnomer.
They are the champions of the world all
right when it comes to playing baseball,
hut the game has not become the national
snort Of enough countries to make the
competition for the title real, free-for-
all affair
Mr.. Bancroft, who took the first team
IF American ball players to Cuba in 1879,
and who has been taking teams there
ever since. including the Athletics in 1910
and the New York Giants this winter,
>;'yS that the growth of baseball in CUBA
* simply phenomenal He declares that
every boy in and around Havana is
lcsular fan and devOtes all of his time
10 playing the game. Mr.. Bancroft pre-
diets that in a few years the champions
If this country will have to meet the
hest teams OF Cuba and Japan before
they can claim the worlds title.
Cuba" says Mr.. Bancroft, has opened
~ a new field for the baseball scouts of
n
and Marsans. the Cuban players with the
cincinnati team last season, has demon
stated that here are some mighty fine
players in that country
american scouts. in looking for talent.
will keep in touch with the coming young
cuban players, and I predict that many
more will be grabbed by the league teams
in future Years"
The double umpire system will be in
vogue next season in practically all the
leagues connected with organized base
hall. This will go far toward developing
arbitrator of major league caliber, as
Glany umpires coming from the minors
have been used to calling balls and
strikes from behind the pitcher and
have found it hard to work behind the
ildte
John McGraw and Christy Mathewson,
ability as three-cushiOn billiard players,
were engaged in a hard fought game
with the worries down at Norfolk.
great crowd of fans eager to see these
baseball celebrities. packed the billiard
0arlor. Finally a citizen with a white
goatee dropped in and watched the pro-
,cedings with A puzzled look.
Who are those fellows" he asked
Of the man next to him.
''Why. that is Mathewson and Nc
Graw," answered the fan in as impress
sive whisper.
Didn't you ever hear of Mathewson
and McGraw?' whispered the fan. They
are the most famous ball players in the
wurld-om the New York Giants"
''IumPh,' grunted the uniformed Vir-
Sinign. Well, II they don't know no
more about playing baseball than they do
about billiards l guess they don't mount
to much And with a sniff he walked
"ui and left the game nat. Such is fame.
About ave years ago a youngster ap-
preached the plate at Detroit and told
the umpire he'd bat for Dygert, the Ath-
letic's PITCHER.
What's your name" asked the UNI
pire
Call me Sullivan" responded the boy.
Whsreupon the Jump told the crowd
Sullivan was batting for Dygert.
Monte Cross, then playing short for
the Athletics. was coaching at first base
and enjoying his usual battle of wits
with the fans.
Come on, Sullivan" yelled Monte
show them you're a real big Lacquer"
The yOunEster, a rather understood
chap, smiled as best he could at Monte's
encouraging words.
For the love OF Mike, Connie has
robbed another cradle" shouted a fan
back OF first.
Don't worry about Comics infant"
answered Cross, he'll make a lot of
trouble for you when he gets his
growth
Little did the fans or Cross realize
hat this boast would come true. The
5Oungster was no other than Eddie
Collins, then star footballer and star
oaseballer of Columbia University.
When Collins Joined the Athletics he
vas shortstop, but had trouble at that