The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-02-22
Old Fox Can Almost Tell at
Glance If Recruit Hurler
Will Make Good.
OTHER SPORT COMMENT
By WILLIAM PEET.

One look at young pitcher, and Clark
Griffith can tell whether or not he Is
worth retaining.
\ couple of looks at an outielder and
Jimmy McAleer can come pretty near
informing the young man whether or not
he will ever do for the big show.
Griff was once pitcher himself: Nc
Aleer. a star outfielder: both know about
all there is to learn regarding these de-
partments of the game. They can detect
faults that layman would never notice.
When the Washington club trained
down in Atlanta. Ga, during the spring
of 1911, McAleer was manager of the club
and had under his wing a flock OF young
outfielders gathered from the bushes.
Not one of this bunch made good for
the Nationals, and so far as known not
one has ever reached the big show to
this day.
An outfielder who cannot throw from,
his position to the plate will never be
of any earthly use to me- McAleer told
the writer one day, explaining why he
was not impressed with the recruit ma
terisl at his command in Atlanta, and
that's why most of the bushers We're
turned loose; they couldn't throw.
Griff has a method entirely his own
while on the practice field at training
camp. Apparently he pays no attention
to his recruit pitchers while they are
warming up. but there is little going on
that he fails to notice.
In batting practice GriH takes his
stand right behind the pitchers. and it
is from this position that he gets real
line on the ability of each youngster.
for the twirlers are required to pitch to
the batters at least once a day.
Griff has developed one star and sew
eral more likely looking young hurlers
since he handled the local club. He has
also let a number Of recruits go to the
minors after cutting loose all strings.
In the case of Joe Boehling. who re-
ported in Charlottesville the first spring
the team trained down there, Griff dis
covered that Boehling could throw
slow ball" had good curve and moth
ing else The slow ball and curve won
Boehling a job.
Nobody ever heard Of Griffith paying a
big price for pitcher from some minor
league club whom the Old Fox had never
seen in action. He never takes the word
of a scout or a friend about slabman in
the bushes offered for fancy price
I've got to see such a pitcher work
before I'll buy him." is Griff's motto.
This does not mean that he is not
willing to try out any promising young
dreds Of 'em during his big league serv-
ice as manager. but you never heard OF
any minor league club unloading Lefty
Russells or Marty O'Tooles on the Old
Fox.
When Connie Mack was informed late
last night of the possibility of Bakers
returning to the game if he received a |
large enough increase in salary, the Ath- |
!etics' manager was greatly surprised and
refused to believe the report was true
Manager Mack stated that he has a |
letter in his possession in which Baker |
informs him that he is tired Of travelling |
about the country, but mentions nothing |
about being dissatisfied with the salary |
he received. According to Mack, Baker |
had a chance to hold up the club in the |
middle Of last season. when several other |
members of the team baked at signing |
the new contracts unless they received !
more money.
Baker signed a three-year contract |
with the Athletics last spring. and the |
document contained the ten-day clause. |
When the new contracts, which are con- |
sidered ironcled. were issued and the |
players were asked to sign them, Baker /
was one who signed Immediately and did |
not question the salary or ask for an in
crease.
Manager Mack said last night that he |
considered Baker one of the real high
class men of the game. and said he |
would not believe Baker had any inten-
ton of returning to baseball unless Baker
told him himself. If Baker has changed |
his mind he will have to obtain the con-
sent of the Athletics before he can play |
with any other club in organized base
ball. as his contract with Mack has two
more years to run.