The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-12-16
GR|FF THINKS He
GAN TAKE A RAG
Will Start BY Building Up
A Team Composed of
Youngsters

Washington, Dec. 16.-"This idea
that because of the hot summer cli-
mate, Washington will never have a
winning ball club, is all bosh," says
Clark Griffith. the new manager of
the Nationals. who has assumed ac-
u charge there.
Every W~ashingtonian whom I
have met during the past five years
has handed mo the same stuff." says
Grif land frankly l believe that the
capital a have a first division club
or even a pennant contender. ] don't
claim I will be the man to do it. but
] believe 1t can be done. I will say
first division teams with no better ma
tarial in sight than that left by Jim
McAleer.
II shall work my hardest to give
the capital a good team. I am not
making n predictions as to where
We will finish mex season. II we
drop down to last place it will be for
the reason that l am trying to build
up with youngsters.
II had a bunch that was out
fighting for the .pennant I would
probably want Il few veterans around
me. but no such condition exists at
present.
Il have got to start in and build
up a winning ball club. and. of
~ Jaw ~ OcSclOU NOuTE
Has C~atchcrs.
Take the club as it stands today.
First OF all We have the catchers in
Street. Ainsmith and Henry. Catch
ers are just as important as pitchers.
They tell me that Ainsmith and
Henry are coming fast. Street is a
several more years in fast company.
Thfs array of catching talent appeals
to me more than almost ANYTHING
else.
AS for pitchers. everybody knows
that Walter johnson is one Of the
best in II country. The others, es-
peeially the youngsters. can be
without boasting. can say that / have
been successful in coaching young
pitchers.
Take the case Of big Rube Ben.
ton. with Cincinnati last year. He
had all the qualifications that 60 to
make up a great slabman. He needed
q lot Of work. n never could seem
to get started in Cincinnati. The
fans got down on him. I saw I could
not keep him on the bench because !
could not work him often enough. so
farmed him out to the Southern
league for development. recalled
Benton during the flag end of last
s0oSoIls anu you never saw Slch an
improvement in a pitcher. expect
to hear great things Of him next
year. ~
II have given little thought TO
spring training plans. and will not
decide IN a hurry. I am very mucr.in'
FAVOR OF sending the squad down to
Virginia. for three weeks. some place
like Charlottesville. and will in all
probability make some sort of an ar
rangement. Several of the pitchers
Will probably be shipped to Hot
Springs for a good boiling out. I
hardly think We will train in WASH
ington."
IT was generally supposed by the
baseball fraternity at large that Grif-
fifth and Gid Elberfeld were mortal
enemies. vet such does not appear to
be the case. The kid wants his release
iron, Washington SO that he can opcn
negotiations for the managerial berth
OF a minor league club.
Grif said. II would be the last man
In the world to stand in Elberfcld's
way. and will do all in my to
make it possible for him to land with
2. minor league club. 1t would hardly
hc good policy to release him outright
Il mean good business policy-as he
cost the Washington club considerable
money. but ] have no doubt that II he
obtains a good offer from some club.
J can come to an arrangement with
the management for a player or two.
At n rate ] will do all in my power
TO help out Elbcrfcld"