Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-12
BY J. ED GRILLO.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, December 12.-Judged by
the reluctance with which managers and
owners of other clubs lend an ear to any
proposition involving their ball players.
Clark Griffith is very apt to come away
from this meeting empty handed-without
having pulled off a single deal. Had the
Washington manager come here Tor the
purpose of trading Walter Johnson OF
Clyde Milan he would have had no trou-
BILE getting an audience with any club
I'm the circuit. but the fact that every one
seems to understand that there is no
chance to consummate any sort of a
proposition involving these players makes
the probability of the deals decidedly re-
mote.
There were some rumors going the
rounds this morning that Chicago was
willing to consider proposition for Har-
ry Lord. and, improbable as this appeared
there was a mad rush for COmiskey' S
room. and Griffith was one of those to
call on the old Roman. OF course Com
my said he never dreamed of such a
thing, and advised them to see Callahan,
who Is expected in some time late today.
At these meetings there is Of course, al
ways a lot of gossip, and managers and
base ball men exchange their views.
Among the things that developed was the
statement that ST. Louis does not propose
to hold on to Lefty George the southpaw
pitcher. This brought out the fact that
George is well thought of by most of those
who have seen him work, and 1t is not
unlikely that an effort will be made by
several clubs to secure him.
Whether Griffith will be among those to
try for George is not known, as he has
not expressed an opinion. but Patsy
Donovan was particularly active in boost
he says. is sure to show to much better
advantage the coming season.
Jim McAleer gave a reason today for
the remarkable showing made by Bob
Groom during the close of the last sea-
son, when Long Bob won five staight
games in a row for the Nationals. Nc
Aleer said that Groom always complained
OF the way the catchers signed him and
none Of the backstops the Nationals had
to draw from ever suited him. McAleer.
firing of his complaint. told him one day
that in the future he should do the sign
ing instead of his catcher. and from that
time out he proved winner. gathering
II Groom is allowed to do this in future
he will be a successful pitcher He
seems to have ideas of his own of how
to pitch to the various batsmen and
whenever anything goes wrong after the
catcher has signed him he seems to
feel that he was not allowed to use his
own judgment He would not shake his
head and have the catcher reverse the
signal for fear of offending him, and
had himself in a stew until McAleer sug-
time out he was a winner and McAleer
informed Griffith today that this was the
secret Of the wonderful reversal Of form
which Groom showed during the closing
weeks Of the season.
According to Frank Navin, president of
the Detroit club. Hughey Jennings had a
very narrow escape from death when he
met with the automobile accident a
week or so ago. The only thing that
saved Jennings life was the fact that the
friend who sat in the rear seat was not
injured. for he was able to hold Jen-
nings' head out of the water and keep
him from drowning. But for this Jen-
ed machine at the bottom of the creek
into which the party fell. would have
been drowned. Navin says that Jennings
has left the hospital and that in due time
he will be none the worse for his expert
ence.
Connie Mack, perhaps the most modest
individual in the world. has not changed
since winning the worlds series from
the Giants. Connie is still willing to ad.
nit that he has fair ball team and that
he hopes to be in the race next esason
He makes no predictions or boasts, how
ever. and the only opinion he expresses
is that it will be a fine day tomorrow
unless 1t should cloud up.
Though rumor has had it that Fred
Clark would retire from the management
Of the Pittsburgh club, the chances are
that he will affix his signature to a con.
tract before the present gathering here
comes to an end. Clark had one of the
best years of his career last season, but
says he has tired of the game and wants
to manage from the bench It seems
absurd for so good ball player to take
himself out of the game. but knowing
Clark's ambition Dreyfuss may sign him
with this understanding, knowing thai
in the event of a new left fielder not go
ing to his liking Clark will jump into
the game again. 1t is understood that he
vowed he would not play any more sew
eral years ago, but when he saw that his
team was weak in left he picked UP his
glove one day and took his regular posi-
ton. playing over a hundred games dur
ing the season and showing all the
prowess that made him famous.
The Pittsburgh club without Clark
would be like a ship without rudder
and there is no great danger Of he and
Dreyfuss having anything that resembles
split.
Patsy Donovan, who managed the Bos
when Jake Stahl was secured by McAleer
is here looking for berth. which he 1.
hardly apt to secure with a major league
team. Donovan has been unfortunate IL
that he has always failed to produce
though he has been at the head of five
or six different teams in the National anC
American leagues, and he really seems t.
have come to the end of his string. Mo-
| is 1t at all positive that he will catch OF
with a minor league team. in which even
| he may be able to secure a position as
scout.
Jim McAleer and Robert Mercy, tn,
Il H. 1I,,I