Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-29

When Clark Griffith took charge of the
Washington ball club early last winter
he announced that it was his intention
to build up the club along entirely diff
ferent lines, by getting rid of the worn
out timber and starting anew With Young
men. who had the best years of their life
before them. Griffith made good his
word. and how well he succeeded is
known. His efforts gave Washington
what it had desired in vain for years-a
winning team.
Scarcely had Griffith been placed in
charge than he began to get rid of the
older men on his squad. They were dis
posed of to the best advantage for cash
and in trades Not once was Griffith :
judgment shown to be at fault by the
after performances of the men he had
let go. Before the beginning of the 1911:
season Griffith had disposed of five of
the regulars of the previous season. Cess
Ter and Lelivelt outtielders; Conroy and
Elberfeld infieiders. and Street, catcher.
We're the men whom he adjudged as los
ing ground so fast that they would be
of no use to him in building his club
along the lines he announced.
When Griffith began to make his sweep
ing changes. there were many pessimstic
fans who declared that whatever chance
the team had had to show anything had
been done away with. Particularly was
this true in the case of the trade whereby
Street was sent to New York. Griffith s
judgment was true even i'm that instance.
though. is shown by the fact that
Street is now with "A minor league club
Griffith placed himself in line for great
deal of criticism had the team not shown
so we'll and that he had confidence
enough in his own ability TO carry out his
plans is only a greater tribute to the
work of the leader
The acquisition of Moeller and Foster
from Rochester by McAeer undoubtedly
aided the team considerably. Without
these two men it is questionable if even
Griffith would have accomplished what
he did. but it is also certain that had
displacng IA veteran at first with a
youngster who had once been turned
back from the major circuit he would
never have finished where ne did. When
Gandi joined tho club the turning point
was marked He was the link needed
To make strong both the defense and Of
Tense. Playing day after day without er-
rors. making hits time after time when
they counted, Gandil proved himself to
be the most valuable piece of base ball
property secured during the year.
To Griffith's judgment and generalship
during the playing season must be cred
tied much of that accomplished by the
team. He carried his men through the
most SUtteSSIul Trip ever ldhtn ny ma
jor league club. winning sixteen games in
succession. and that with "a team which
had on its roster of regulars five men
who were getting their first real taste
of ma or league ball.
Gandil, of course, the best man on
the club as far as general percentages
were concerned. but there were several
other individuals who distinguished them
selves to a consdera bic extent Foster.
at third won for himself the credit for
fl.a hos nj. toy in thr la.,tp
Milan made "A wonderful record on the
bases. besides hitting and fielding eX-
ceptionally well. and Henry. Ainsmith
and Williams formed the best catching