The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-12-04
M'GRAW TO ASK
FOR INCREASE IN
! The PLAYER LIMIT

his fire on the low roster limit OF
National League clubs during the an
nual meeting of the parent major cir
cult in this city, beginning Dec. IL.
McGraw always has maintained an
inconspicuous part in the wetghty de-
alterations of the Tener circuit. But
for the fact that the board Of d.
rectors intends to question him on
his utterances and behavior in a GER
tain game that gave Brooklyn the
1916 championship, the Little Napo-
leon would probably be in Cuba at
this moment.
McGraw is not likely to take any
part in the big pow-wow next month.
But his views have been impressed on
Harry N. Hampstead. and Hampstead
is prepared to go the limit to see his
manager safely through.
'"The roster limit of the National
League is a we're severe handicap in
the worlds series,'' said McGraw
day or two ago. I'm opposed to it.
It simply plays into the hands OF
Ban johnson and his associates. We
managers of the National League are
allowed through the most important
stretch of the pennant struggle to
carry only 81 players. During that
time the American League clubs may
retain for active service Is men each.
That gives the rival league more than
20 per cent. advantage.
s.It interferes with we'll established
policies of management, too" the
leader of the Polo Grounders con-
thinued.
1T think have been fairly success
full since took hold of the New York
team. I have my own notions, but
am willing to stand or fall by them.
One conviction Of mine is that young
players must be educated from the
bench. I believe I can do more good
by keeping youngster under my per-
sona1 observation for one year-so
far as his value to me is concerned
than anybody else can do in two or
three.
"You fellows smiled Mac, '"all
rode me pretty hard for keeping
Ferdie Schupp on the bench for four
seasons You slammed me for not
turning him out in the minor league
pastures. Well, I figured Schupp of
a temperament that needed nursing.
It would have ruined him to send him
down. had faith in him. I was
willing to spend years in cu1tivating
him as I thought best. You'll agree
I have a real southpaw for my pains.
Everyone was giving Connie Mack
the horse laugh last year." McGraw
continued. But ut last he got some
thing out Of his 'schoolboys.' He'll be
laughing at few Of his rivals before
another season closes. Connie was
willing to sacrifice a season in order
to cultivate a lot of green material
to his own tastes. Results will show
shortly.
'"That is why I claim the National
League is near sighted in clinging to
it's twenty-one player roster limit. It
doesn't give a manager any 1eeway to
keep for personal instruction young
players who easily might be educated
into stars within a season or two.
These must be turned back on the
mercy Of minor league instructors. AS
often as not they are spoiled. It is
natural for minor league managers to
employ these young men where they
will do the most toward the realiza-
ton Of immediate personal ambition.
ITO win pennant a minor league
manager would put a natural third
baseman at first or in the outfield to
gain an advantage. I might name
score Of promising young players
ruined absolutely because minor
league managers to whom I passed
them disregarded my wishes in their
schooling.
"I believe that no major league
club should be hampered in the mat
ter of training. In our league we
have a rule that prohibits teams going
into training camps before the first
of March. I oppose the principle of
that rule though it is no longer vi
tai point with me.
cit was hardship a year ago when
the Giants were trailing the field.
Naturally, wished as much time as
possible to study the young players
that came to us by draft and through
purchase It's different proposition
now. I have a club of veterans, the
worth of which is known to me. It
will take a rafting yeungster to head
off any one of them. This season I
care not a whit what they legislate
about the training season. I wouldn't
care if we were all forbidden to train.
I'm not bit fearful of the 1917 out
come in our circuit.
"But the roster limit of tweHty-ene
players is another proposition So
long as it endures, just so long will
the American League have a decided
advantage in the worlds series each
fall The sporting public of this ceun-
try wishes to see any blue ribbon de-
cided in absolute fairness. Such is