The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-26
Pitcher Gabriel,
Though Minus a
Trumpet, Blows

In the morning by the bright light
Pitcher Gabriel blew into the Lex
ington Hotel and reported himself to
Manager Steve Griffin.
I'm pitcher he declared. and
just want 30 show you l can play
ball"
Manager Griffin glanced Up and
down the tall form Of the honest
young man, estimated his height at
six feet seven. or seven feet six. he
wasn't quite sure which. and asked
him who had told him to report
to him.
Nobody" replied Mr.. Gabriel. but
all want IL q chance.
You shall have 1t. SON. decided
: Mr.. Grifiin. Report at the park
this p. NJ"
Gabriel reported. He helped the
boys toss the bail around and gave
an excellent exhibition of what u
tall player should not be, Finally
Manager Griffin called him aside and
spoke to him In low. stealthy tones.
Did anybody ever tell YOU YOU were
ball player: he asked. CHANGING
around furtivcly.
No." replied the honest young
man. Il only thought so myself"
That's good" renlied Mr.. Grif-
fin. relieving himself OF sigh. AS
a rule / am law abiding citizen hut
II ever anybody had told you you
are ball player / should unhesi-
tatingiy tell YOU to go search for that
person and when you had found him
| To assassinate MIN without mercy
Any. jury would acquit YOU on the
plea Of justiiiable homicide. As II IL.
Gabriel--your name Is Gabriel. ism
iito Well, as ! was saying, Gabriel,
! what l would do II | were You would
be not to believe myself. You I'M
doubleday are an honest young man.
but you are not a George Washing
ton
What am 1 to do came the
anxious inquiry.
"Blow, Gabriel. blow. replied the
calm Mr.. Griffin.
And Gabriel blew.
| The University of Virginia boys
are quite eager To find out ii Man
arsr Clarke Griffith liz going To land
/ Pitcher Eppa Rixey. Griffith would
i like to get Rixey's name to con-
| tract, but that young man does not
wa Mt To sign the document while ne
,s In college. Meanwhile his praises
are being sting by the war earresann-
A., dents. Here is what they say:
1t seems to be the general impress
sion among the plsxerH tnHt = drli
fith can land Rfxey. the virginia C.ni
versity pitcher, he will have one o.
| the best left-handers In the countr,
within a year or SO. Walter johnson
n very much impressed with tho tai
| colleUian. while Jack Ryan. who han
dIed his delivery the other day. il
| loud in his praise OF the youngster''
ability.
Il caught Rixey in practice thu
other day." said Ryan. ''and | wan
| to tell YOU that that boy IS going Is
! be . great pitcher. He not only ha'
! everything but he knows q lot mors
about pitching than does the average
recruit who drops III from the minol
J leagues. The best feature of his worl
/ il the fact that he has perfect con
troll, which IL rare in young left.
handlers II Grif gets him he vii
! be star within year or SO. ne
| In not finished yet, but he il sure tt
| learn nuickly.s
! Inasmuch MS Rixey would not cog
!; the club anything. it could AFFORD t
! Gign him at liberal salary and car
ry him until he had developed int
! the major league class. which IRON
! all accounts will not take long. i
! seems a great deal better to take 4
! chance on a young pitcher like Rixe,
| who has not been worn out In some
4 minor league and for whom no money
| will have to be spent, than TO pay
/ enormous prices for pitchers wht
have been pitching for four or fivt
years in the minors and have no
I much longer to last. Rixey is still y
/ his teens. would bc sure TO last fol
| years because he has not done enough
pitching to hurt him.