Omaha daily bee., 1911-08-13
BALL FANS NOT CHARITABLE
They Are Prone to Criticize the Man
ayers of Losing Teams.
TIME NEEDED no BUILD A TEAM
while Some Magnates DO Not Know
the stings of Abuse, Others Get
IL from All sides by In
dignant Fans.

NEW YORK. Aug. 5.--Managers OF losing
base ball teams arc not to be envied. They
are held responsible for failures and are
subjected to an endless amount of severe
criticism. some of II warranted and the
rest Of Il uncailed for. Because they cannot
make inferior players show championship
csiibsr and because they have no DESIRE BILE
timber with which to make strengthening
deals, they become targets for abuse from
impatient fans and heartless critics. Nobody
seems to realize that II requires time to
build up winning ball club, and for that
reason an unsuccessful team handler Is
q phenomenon If he can survive the fusil-
iade Of adverse comment that inevitably
comes his way.
John McGraw, Frank Chance, Hugh Jen-
nings and Connie Mack do not know the
meaning of the word abuse They have
been fortunate enough TO have winning
teams ever since they become major league
managers. II they make deals for players
that do not pan out fans and critics readily
gloss over the mistakes and make plausible
excuses that perpetuate a feeling OF con-
fidence. If their teams lose a string OF
games the slump is attributed to hard luck,
the umplres, or dumb ball playing by the
men who take orders from the bench. These
manegers are honized year in and year
out and are entitled to live in continual
peace because of the results they produce.
II 10 a truth that cannot be denied that
Mack. McGraw, Jennings and Chance pos
Ress sterling managerial ability that other
team leaders are unable to boast OF and
that their winning teams are developed by
real skill and sound judgment. But IT is
also true that these successful managers
are known as the best of the breaks" the
equivalent of a constant smile from old
dame fortune.
Jimmy McAleer and Clark Griffith are
present day examples OF the losing mana
ser. MeAleer is having all kinds OF trouble
in trying to make his washingtons win,
while Griffiths days as handler OF the
Cincinnati Reds are numbered. Yet both
men have had years of base ball experience
and have never been accused of knowing
nothing OF the fine points of the national
game, Each has the backing of rich en-
ployers and both have worked hard to
delight the fans in their respective cities.
But 1.-The breaks have been against them
and they are now subjected TO volleys OF
vituperative criticism that spell ruin for
their teams,
Unfair Criticism.
Griffith and McAleer have been blamed
for exercising poor judgment in running
their teams. but it is decidedly unfair to
accuse them OF failing to secure winning
players. No major league team that has
one or two star players will make a trade
for inferior men The Giants wouldnt
sell Mathewson at any price, any more
than the Athletics would part with Col
/ ~. Iaf ~
Russell Ford. so in spite Of big money to
be spent for great players Griffith and Nc
Aleer confess that their hands are tied and
that they. cannot improve their teams under
| 1.-THE present conditions.
Last winter Griffith made one OF the
biggest trades on record when he ex-
changed LObert. Paskert Rowan and
Beebe for Moren. McQuillen. Bates and
Grant OF the Philadelphia. At the time
Griffith was complimented for getting the
better OF the deal and Cincinnati fans
promptly saw visiones OF the pennant. yet
the deal turned out 10 be the most unfor-
tunate transaction that the Reds manager
could have completed. Lobert was unable
to play first-class ball IN Cincinnati, but
he Is now a star, In ouakertown. Paskert
didn't show real class In Porkville, yet hs
/ e~1RN%t
Grant. who was a crack-a-j Jack in Phila'
delphia. has been weak spot in Redville
while Moran and Meouiilen. supposed L
be top notch pitchers. have been little
more than dead weight on Griffs hands.
Griffith let Huggins, Cakes and MowreS
80 TO the ST. Louis Cardinals at q time
when they appeared 10 be worthless mater
iAl, but under Roger Bresnahan's magic
handling they have secured a new lease OF
life. Gnff had Bill Burns. the well knowI
left-handed pitcher. for while but as h
looked like a failure Burns was released
to the ouakers. with whom he quickly
showde winning quality. These reverse'
} have stirred up Cincinnati critics to sucl
& degree OF bitterness that they have n,
mercy for Grifrith. Every defeat OF tn
Reds Is charged up to him and he Is nsye