Evening star., 1912-11-10
NEW YORK GIANTS PRAISED
FOR GREAT SPORTSMANSHIP
Prove Themselves Greater as Losers in
Recent Worlds Series Than Ever
Before in Their Victorious Career.
clusively that there is more in base ball
than the greed-for-gold sentiment.
Compliments the Umpires.

clusively that there is more in base ball
than the greed-for-gold sentiment.
Compliments the Umpires.
Another thing that made a hit with me
in connection with the New York team
was the attitude of Mr.. McGraw and his
athletes toward the umpires. Messrs.
KLEIN, Rigler, O'Loughlin and myself sat
in the car just ahead Of the New York
team. Shortly after the train left Bos-
ton Manager McGraw came into our car
and shook hands with all of us, compli-
menting us on the way the series had
been handled. AS he bade US gOOd-bye e
he said with smile:
If either team had worked as nicely
as you boys it would have won the series
in four games" Before the train arrived
in New York practically every member OF
the team dropped in for a few minutes
chat, and incidentally remarked they
didn't have a kick in the world, except
few against themselves. 1t surely was
fine to see the losers SO express them
selves to the four men who had the series
in their hands. who had everything at
stake. who might blow a game at any
time with a tough decision.
Usually the crack teams and the star
players are the ones that make the least
trouble. Teams that have but little
license to win on form are always beefinS
that the poor umpire is responsible for
the bad throwing. Players who are fall
ing off in their batting don't give the
pitcher credit for outguessing them, but
blame the poor eyesight of the umpire
as always getting them in the hole. On
the other hand. pitchers who are slipping
always insist the umpire Is missing them.
shading the batters continually, and CIV
ing them nothing but balls through the
heart of the plate.
johnson to Blame.
In this connection l recall an incident
Of last summer that had Walter johnson.
the great pitcher of the Washington club.
as its central figure. With sixteen sue
cessive wins to his credit, Johnson was
sent to relieve Hughes in the seventh
inning of game with ST. Louis. The
score stood to l in favor Of Washing
ton. with runners on first and second and
one out. Johnson retired the next hitter
on strikes, and then made a wild pitch
that advanced both runners. Pete Comp
ton responded with a line single to left
center that scored both runs and ulti-
mately beat Washington. 3 to 2.
Immediately the question was raised as
to whether or not Johnson should be
charged with the defeat. and thus break
his long string OF successive wins, and
guards world record. The scribes seemed
to think Hughes should get the defeat,
since Johnson was not responsible for the
two men who were on the bases. and
who scored the much-needed runs. When
this phase of the case was suggested to
Johnson he quietly replied:
Il know I wasn't responsible for those
two men who were on. but Tom didn't
make the wild pitch, nor allow Pete
Compton to hit safely. l don't see any
sense in arguing the matter. I can't see
how any one can be charged with the
defeat except me-"
Johnson didn't seek any loophole to
keep his record clean. He believed the
defeat should be charged to him. and
was man enough to say SO. although
some of the greatest sporting authorities
in the country were of the opinion that
Hughes was the offender. It is indeed
refreshing to see players and teams who
can accept defeat almost as gracefully
as victory.