The Washington herald., 1913-12-09
BATES THE MAN
GRIFFITH Wants
Tip Out that Nationals Have
Good Chance to Land
Veteran OutGelder.
DENIAL FROM GARRY
Hermann Recently Declared He
Would Not Part with Player,
but May Change.
DENIAL FROM GARRY
BY WILLIAM PEET,

From one who is supposed to know,
comes the tip that despite the various
newspaper denials from Garry Hermann,
owner of the Cincinnati Reds, Johnny
Bates, the veteran outfielder, will wear
d Washington uniform next season.
As far back as the worlds series, the
Old Fox tried to induce Hermann TO
part with Bates, Offering a good price
for him, bet the Cincinnati magnate did
not care TO talk business, and when the
newspapers started to discuss the pro-
posed deal, Hermann put a stop to all
the chatter by announcing that he had
decided 10 keep Bates.
Griff would rather have Bates than any
of the other available National League
material, for Johnny played under the
Old Fox, and Griff always liked his
work.
With Joe Tinker at the helm, last
season Bates was always in hot water,
and the pair got along about as well as
a couple of game cocks in a barnyard.
The majority OF Cincinnati fans are said
to be sore on Bates-another reason why
the outfielder may be traded or sold.
The real truth of the matter is that
Griff will probably make Hermann such
an attractive offer for the veteran that
the Cincinnati magnate will be willing
to talk business, and this is one of the
today.
Bates is thirty-nine years old, and has
had a checkered career in baseball. He
was with the Boston Nationals, a tail
end club, in 1906, where he played consist
ent ball for two years or more. In
1893 he was traded to the Phillies and his
work improved. In 1910, Griff pulled on
the famous deal which brought Bates TO
Cincinnati where he has remained ever
since
Griffith believes that Bates has one or
two years Of good baseball left in him,
and if he cap get him, Bates will more
than likely open the 1914 season in left
field
There is no. doubt but that a trade ad-
vantageous to both the Nationals and
Reds could be put through if Garry
Hermann says the word.
Failing to land Bates at this stage of
the game means nothing as far as Grif-
fifth is concerned, for next spring will do
just as well, and if the Reds find that
they cannot use the veteran, GrifT stands
ready TO take him on their hands un-
less, of course, some of his youngsters
show more than ordinary ability down in
Charlottesville.
If the National Commission refuses to |
reinstate George Mullin, former Detroit |
and Washington pitcher. the chubby
George threatens TO sign up with the In
club of the Federal League.
Mullin, in a letter to the Indianapolis
writes that he is taking
good care o. himself and can deliver the
goods.
Since Garry Hermann and his part
ners bought the Cincinnati Reds from
the late John T Brush they have eX-
perimented with six managers. Under
the leadership of Joe Kelley the Reds
finished fourth in 1903, third in 1904, and
fifth in 1905 While Edward Hanon was
at the helm the Reds got no higher than
sixth place in 1906 and 1907. John Camel
anded the team in fifth place in 1908,
after which Clark Griffith was manager
'or the seasons of 1909, 1870 and 1911, the
Reds finishing fourth. fifth, and sixth, re-
;pectively. Hank O'Day brought the Gin
.innatis up to the fourth notch in 1912 and
asst season under Tinker they dropped
o seventh position, after getting away
% bad start O'Day was canned in
'pite of II fact that he worked wonders
With comparatively poor material.
Since leaving the employ of the Herr
mann combination Kelley has won an In
ernational League pennant for Toronto
while Camel has managed three cham
,ion teams in Rochester in the same
eague. Griffith. at the head Of the
has landed twice in second .
position in the American League races.
Tnkind persons are calling Hermann
he Merkle of baseball club owners.
Evidently the views Of Capt. Ketcham, I
# Yale. who does not believe in num- '
,ering football players in order to aid
he public, is not shared by all Yale I
nen. Joseph Curtis. writing to the Yale 5
\lumi Weekly on the numbering of foot
all players, throws a new side into
lew when he writes as follows:
Just SO long as football continues to
old such a large share Of public atten-
ion, the newspapers will continue to
i've II the publicity il demands and,
therefore,, anything that can be done,
rithout sacrifice to the game. to better
his publicity will be a help to the uni t
ersities involved" 7