The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-09-26
BY John J. McGraw, Manager Of the
New York Giants

NEW 1Or1 H11uIS
There is certain player who has cost
n club in the National League THIS
years pennant I am not. going to men
ton his name. for it wouldn't be far
to do that now. but most ball players
know him. He was rated great star
and was one-until they found his
groove.
formation. \ member of the club, on
which this star with the weakness Work,
ed. was turaed loose. got sore. anu toia
his new team mates. The news spread
quickly around the. league. Every team
has been playing for the groove IN the
man who was an important part OF tae
rennant contending machine. doubt
II he survives in the Big League next
season. Most OF the enatnies found the
groove.
There was similar case several
years ago in the American League. ana
1t Is 50 old now that no player or team
will be hurt by telling t. Wien hugh
jennings was winning the champion,
ships. he had big first baseman named
Claude RosSman who was first class
ball player. He took part, IN three
Worlds Series and acquitted himself
Savorably-but he had a weakness. Most
of the players on the Detroit club knew
what this was. but they naturally
guarded the secret carefully for the
teams success meant more success for
them personally.
Ira Thomas was catching for the Tig-
erS il. these years. and he knew ABOUT
Rossman. and he didn't tell until Jen-
niugs and Thomas had their differences
and the catcher was traded to Connie
Mack Connie always holds morning
sessions wltk his club during the season
when his board Of strategy discusses
The opposing team to be met that aa?
and play. that are likely To come up.
The Athletics were 10 play Detroit a
series.
Told OF WEAKNESS
II can tell you how to beat the IiE-
ers,' remarked Thomas. who was al
WAYS a shrewd baseball man. You eau
beat them through Rossman:
How" asked Connie quickly.
The big guy can't throw in a pinch. :
replied Thomas. We all have known It
but Rave kept it quiet. Just GIT him
tossing that old pill around in l. tight
Place, and he will blow the ball game
for YOU. He's great thrower in prac-
tice only.
The Athletics decided to try it out.
That day they had men On first ami
third bases. The runner on kosSman's
sofa had Instructions to take too long 4
lead and get nipped purpoSely Then
came an exchange of throws Between
Kossman and the second baSetnan Or
ShortStop. AT the right time. the rum
2er on third broke FOR home whica was
when RosSnlan had possession or the
pill. He hit : spectator in the third
row OF the grand stand with his at
tempted throw I" The plate. The Attn
leticS pulled th!S several times uurliS
the series. and l:oSSman always bic" in
The pinch.
Bad news spreads quickly in baseball.
It was not long before ii was generally
known all over the circuit about Ross
man and his hurling. Every club was
putting it up to RoSsman 70 throw the
bail mewterc. and he obliged. as IRE
Quently hitt!ng some one III the grand
stand as the SPOT he was aiming at.
Once In a while he get his man but not
often Jennings traded him to ST. Louis
and RoSSman asked for chance 20
work in the outfield. McAleer. then
the manager OF the Browns. Insisted on
. first base and RoSsman q uit the Big
to the old job and have all hands after
him. This tip on his groove. which had
spread more rapidly around the circuit
than measles in a tenement after the
Athletics made the discovery. drove
the big fellow out Of baseball. 1t was
tough luck.
Developed Weakness
AS said. q certain player on con-
tender developed 4 weakness this season
which I believe cost his team the flag.
He did not develop it. but the Other
clubs only got tipped off TO II through
the trade OF a team mate. Some day l
may tell the mans name. but. for the
present. it would not be fair for he is
still with the team and possibly may
overcome his flaw although l doubt It.
They seldom do. This time it is not 4
staring throwing weakness. but some
thing else just as Giaring.
The fighting finish of the battle this
season has given me little satisfaction.
1t is tough 10 manage . club that wins
game after game when you know you
are not clNse enough to take the cham
pionshtp. ] believe the Giants today arc
the class Of the league. and don't think
I need TO argue much TO convince the
ordinary fan. Our record Of straight
victories is proof enough. But l am not