The Washington times., 1915-08-26
Gid Fox Declares That He Is
Trying II Every Way to
Strengthen Team SO It will
Resemble Contender.
Has Already Spent Thousands Of
Dollars for Youngsters Whom
Fans viii See in Action
This Fall.
By LOUIS A. DOUGHER.

By LOUIS A. DOUGHER.
CHICAGO, Aug. 2s.-why he did not
buy Joe jackson around the 1st Of July.
why he could not buy him last week.
and just what he plans to do for the
strengthening of the Washington club 10
told today by Manager Griffith through
The Times It Is the first official state
ment along these lines by the Old FOX
and it should disarm most critics who
have been scoring the Old Fox for fall
ure to put his club in the race by the
mere expenditure of money.
ANY ball club above the 500 mark on
July l." begins Griffith, has a chance
for the pennant. Get that fact first.
At that time we occupied such a posi-.
ton. On May 2s Morgan was injured.
He had been improving and I counted
on him to make the winning machine.
Any team above the 800 mark on July l
has a chance. If it can only maintain
its ordinary speed. II It improves any,
1t becomes a dangerous contender.
About that time I heard rumor
that Joe Jackson was for sale. 1 knew
that, If I could get him right then. my
chance for the flag would be bettered.
Lee Fohl and the Cleveland club were
in Washington. I asked him about the
jackson rumor and he strongly denied
It. There simply was nothing doing.
I'VE went to New York for five
games. A substitute infielder blew
couple Of them. and. just when we
should have been improving. the boys
lost heart. Then came those six de-
feats in Boston. killing our chances
for the pennant. Even then I tried to
get Jackson when l met Somers in
Cleveland. I was turned down cold.
The campaign went along. Boston
and Detroit getting comfortable lead
on the rest Of us. Suddenly financial
troubles coming up for Somers. the
Cleveland owner decided to sell Jack
son to the highest bidder. Even then
l put In a bid for him. 1t wasn't as
much as I would have paid on July l.
although. because 1 doubt greatly II
jackson could now change our final
position any. even with his usual hard
hitting. Chicago. being still con-
tender. bought Jackson, as would
have done under the same circum-
stances.
1T is unfair to say that the Wash
ington club will not spend money for
players. 1t will spend money. 1t is now
spending money for promising young
sters not for players who have seen
their best days. I am going to build UP
my ball club with players who will last
while.
Let us talk Of Frank Baker. If he
could assure ME that he would win a
nennant for Washington in 1916. I'd
spend lot of money to get him. He
would cost at least 10000 and would
probably demand SOC for three years.
"a borrow the money necessary to get
him If l knew he would stick and Win
nennant for me.
,,,sN, ~, how % do know Baker would
year and l should lose all his pur-
chase price. He quit on Connie Mack.
VINO had done everything for him He
might again become tired OF travelling
and Ia be in the some hole that Con-
'ile Mack is In now.
Merely to get Jackson and Baker
"ould not guarantee me a pennant un-
less. when ! got either or both of them,
my team should be in favorable posi-
ION In the race. Both have seen their
best days. I doubt if they are worth
iCp prices. except bringing pennant
20 their club. II Jackson wins the
nag for Comiskey he'll be worth all
'omiskey paid for him. Otherwise he
my turn out costly failure
II am spending thousands Of dollars
his year for players. but they are
youngsters who. II they make good.
should last long. Washington has had
custom before went there, am not
loading up with players who have seen
their best days. ! have the money to
spend for new players. but they must
be young.
Every position on my team will be
open next year. l have no favorites
manager can't afford to have any. |
'hnll show the fans several Of my new
nlnNers this fall. Washington fans are
entitled to it. They want to see how
the youngsters look. shall give them
> chance: The fans have stood by mo
Loyalty in Washington and ! want
them all to know that ] am going to
nuiit up new club. one that may land
the remnant as soon as next season
II not, it certainly will in another
year"
Manager Griffith intended to send
B"ehling back against the White Sox.
but switched 70 Gallia at the last
minute. Boehling and Harper warmed
ID in right held when it was thought
Gallia was Weakening, but 1t was John
son who rushed to the mound as it
grew dark
Twice the ScX came within a hair
of winning yesterdays game Both
chances came in the tenth with
Murphy on second and Faher on third.
liner toward left field, but Shanrs
lHaped into the air and brought 1t
down. Eddie Collins then lifted a short
Nv to center. both runners hiking for
~" plate Milan made a pretty run
"'nC catch retiring III" side, but the
fingers. He carried the ball in 70
EDDIE Collins to show how close the
soN came to winning the game right
there