Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-17

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW YORK, July 17-Managers of
losing base ball teams are not to be
envied They are held responsible for
failures and are subjected to an endless
amount Of severe criticism. some of it
warranted and the rest of 1t uncalled
for. Because they cannot make infe-
rior players show championship caliber
and because they have no desirable tim
Der with which to make Strengthening
deals they become targets for abuse from
impatient fans and heartless critics. No
body seems to realize that 1t requires
time to build up a winning ball club. and
for that reason an unsuccessful team
handler is a phenomenon If he can sur
vive the fusillade Of adverse comment
that inevitably comes his way.
John McGraw. Frank Chance, Hugh
Jennings and Connie Mack do not know
the meaning of the word abuse. They
have been fortunate enough to have WIN
ming teams ever since they became major
league managers. If they make deals
for players that do not pan out fans and
critics readily gloss over the mistakes
and make plausible excuses that perpet-
uate a feeling Of confidence. If their
teams lose a string Of games the slump
is attributed to hard luck, the umpires
or dumb ball playing by the men VINO
take orders from the bench. These man
ayers are liontzed year in and year OUT
and are entitled to live in continual peace
because of the results they produce. II
Is truth that cannot be denied that
Mack, McGraw, Jennings and Chance
possess sterling managerial ability that
other team leaders are unable to boast
of. and that their winning teams are de-
veloped by real skill and sound Judg.
ment But 1t is also true that these
successful managers have been extreme
" lucky in getting what are known as
the best Of the breaks: the equlva-
lent of a constant smile from old Dame
Fortune.
Jimmy McAleer and Clark Griffith are
present day examples of the losing man
ager McAleer is having all kinds OF trou-
BILE in trying to make his Washingtons
win, while Griffith's days as handler OF
the Cincinnati Reds are numbered. Yet
both men have had years of base ball ex-
perience and have never been accused OF
knowing nothing of the fine points OF the
national game. Each has the backing OF
rich employers, and both have worked
hard to delight the fans in their respect
i've cities. But 1.-The breaks" have been
against them and they are now subjected
to volieys Of vituperative criticism that
spell ruin for their teams.
Griffith and McAleer have been blamed
for exercising poor Judgment in running
their teams. but it is decidedly unfair to
accuse them of falling to secure winning
players No major league team that has
one or two star players will make a
trade for inferior men. The Giants
wouldn't sell Mathewson at any price.
anv more than the Athletics would part
with Collins or the Highlanders would
let go of Russell Ford. So in spite of
big money to be spent for great players
Griffith and McAleer confess that their
hands are tied and that they cannot i'm
prove their teams under the present con-
ditions.
Last winter Griffith made one OF the
biggest trades on record when he ex-
changed Lobert Paskert, Rowan and
Beebe for Moren. McQuillan, Bates and
Grant of the Philadelphia. At the time
Griffith was complimented for getting the
better of the deal and Cincinnati fans
promptly saw visions of the pennant. yet
the deal turned out to be the most un-
fortunate transaction that the Reds man
ager could have completed. Lobert was
unable to play frst-class ball in Gin
cinnati. but he is now star IN Quaker
town. Paskert didn't show real class In
Porkville. yet he Is playing wonderful
game for Doom. Grant. VINO was a
crack jack in Philadelphia. has been
a weak spot in Redville, while Moren
and McQuillan. supposed to be top-notch
pitchers. have been little more than
dead weight on Griffith's hands.
Grifath let Higgins, Cakes and Now