Evening journal., 1915-07-23
N'GRAW'S mistakes
NOT ALL HIS fault
Friends Point Out Achieve
mentS on Diamond
With Pride
THIRTEENTH IS
HIS HOODOO

John J. McGraw celebrated his thir-
teenth anniversary Of ascension to the
throne Of the Giants kingshp last
Monday. The scrappy pilot Of the big
town boys began his managerial ca
reer in New York on July 49, 1907.
The thirteen hoodoo" seems TO be
working overtime In McGraws case
this year IL was soon after he began
his thirteenth annum as commander
OF the Giants that McGraw's club,
which seemed a certain pennant win
ner. began to clip back, with what
result all well informed folks know.
Now that the Little Giant is at the
portal OF his fourteenth year. perhaps
the link will cease to operate. and
The Giants regain their lost prestige.
Friends Of Jawn's, Of which there
are quite a few in Wilmington whose
faith Is still mistaken in his judgment
have murmured from time to time
over his apparent mistakes in parting
with players that proved wonderful
additions to rival clubs. The fact that
George Chalmers was allowed TO de-
part while Fromme Cat that time) was
retained occasioned a wild outburst
following Chalmers humiliation Of
the Giants.
Ioolxing back over the last couple
of years one can see easily where Nc
Graw evidently did make mistakes.
But in justice 10 New York's little
fighting general he has not been gull
ty OF all the clubs slips and he should
not be charged up with all the er-
rors of management. He had nothing
10 do with the goldbricking Of the
Giants when Charley Herzog was
traded for Bob Bescher which trade.
II is generally conceded, cost New
York last years pennant
Perhaps IL was a mistake for Nc
Eraw, after the expenses incurred in
taking him South. TO part with Chal-
nlers before trying him out in a real
game. especially as George showed up
we'll in the exhibition games he pitch
ed II may have been poor Judgment
10 part with Leon Ames. Heine Groh,
Beals Becker and others. But at the
lime the general chickering's had the
desired result-they strengthened the
Giants for the time and reaped Z
financial harvest.
n may be that McGraw's machine
has rusted on him and that because
lI z itW loose tOEh IT Is not running
so smoothly this year as before. This
is a question which time alone will
decided later on. II must be admitted
that the doughty little leader has al
ways given New York a good run for
It's money. On three occasions his tao
tics won pennants with a club that In
pure individual strength alone was
entitled to nothing better than a show
position.
II McGraw has been and Is making
mistakes the circumstances may be
said 10 be extenuatinF An unexpec-
ted blow was administered TO his
plans by the 21-player roster. which
shut out a horde Of young and prom
Using material recruited at great cost
last year.
The Giants have PLAYED some bad
baseball II Is true But on this their
prospect for the season should not be
Judged. II is tho first time IN years
that the club was conditioned poorly
for the start Of the race. II suffered
ss much n not more than any other
major organization through adverse
weather conditions throughout the
spring, and II must be remembered
that McGraw has been forced 10 de.
pend on veterans who need plenty oI
sunehine and heat 10 get into proper
physical condition.