New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-04
Leaves Ebbets Field
in Anger, Hinting
at Scandal.
SERIOUSNESS OF
CHARGE ADMITTED
Accused Players Pass Lie,
Calling Game with
Brooklyn Fair.
By W. o. MGEEHAN.

John J. McGraw, manager Of the
Giants, impugned the honesty Of pro-
fessional baseball in a spectacular man.
ner yesterday. He strode out of Eb-
bets Field in a red rage when the
Giants, by their listless playing, lost
the game which gave the Brooklyn team
the National League pennant, blurting
out an accusation that his men had not
tried to defeat the Brooklyn team.
1t was the first time in nearly forty
years that player had even hinted at
dishonesty in baseball. The charge
made by McGraw, coming as it did
after a startling reversal OF form dis
played by the Giants yesterday, is taken
seriously by all connected with base
ball with the exception of John X.
Tener, president of the National
League.
Two of McGraw's players Art
Fletcher, shortstop. and William Per-
ritt, who pitched part of the game
give the lie direct to the statement Of
their manager. McGraw himself dis
appeared Immediately after his drs-
matte exit from Ebbets Field and could
not be found last night.
Had Been Irritated.
McGraw left the bench at Ebbets
Field Immediately after Perritt allowed
one of the Brooklyn base runners to
steal second. The Giant manager had
displayed considerable irritation before
that. In the third inning he was in
volved in a field alteration with
Pitcher Benton and Fletcher, and he
was growing more enraged every
minute.
When Mowrey, Of Brooklyn, advanced
to second through the apparent indif-
ference Of Perritt, McGraw stamped his
foot and suddenly dashed from the
field His absence was not noticed by
the crowd until later, for he dashed
through the dugout, hurting players
out of his way.
"That stuff was too much for me-"
he snapped to the interviewers who
sought him in the dressing room. 81
do not believe any of my players de-
liberately favored Brooklyn, but they
simply refused TO obey my orders and
they fooled about in listless manner.
Through for the Year"
when Perritt wound up with a man
steal second, I lost my patience and
hard this year TO stand around and
watch playing like that. and | refuse to
be connected with it. / am through for
the year"
With this ultimatum McGraw rushed
from the grounds and evidently out of
greater New York for the evening. He
was at none of his usual hsunts. and
none of his intimate friends could give
any clew as to which particular tent
the enraged Achilles of the Giants had
selected for his sulks.
The immediate effect of McGraw's
implied accusation has been to enrage
members of the New York National
team, who feel that they have been
placed under cloud with their man.
agcr. 1t will take considerable smooth
ing over to establish anything like dis
cipline among the Giants of next year.
While Mr.. Tener is at present in
clined to make light of the matter and
try to gloss it over, there is the Ma
tional Baseball Commission yet to bo
heard from.
"Ddn't Mean What He Said
81 do not believe McGraw meant what
his words might seem to imply" said
Mr. Tener 81 am sure that he
spoke in the heat of passion. He plays
baseball with every ounce OF nerve and
energy that is in him. Why, the state
ment shows that the man was over
wrought, admitting that he made such
a statement"
All doubt as to the authenticity of
the statement was removed by John Is.
Foster. secretary of the New York
Giants. Foster left Ebbets Field with
McGraw, and listened to what he had
10 say concerning the listlessncss OF
the Giants yesterday. In addition. he
has something TO say for himself re-
garding the manner in which the Giants
conducted themselves on the field.
"McGraw left in the fifth inning, dis
gusted with his players" he said. "The
men did not play baseball; they simply
filed the positions. ! was not with Nc
Graw when he made the supposed ar
raignment of the team, but ! have no
doubt that he said all that he is cred
tied with saying, il not more. He was
mad clear through, and felt that his
team had thrown him down. And II
McGraw was sore, he was not the only
onc who was sore. Anybody would be
sore il team like the Giants went out
and refused TO play baseball"
The two players who consider that
,bev are directly accused by McGraw
are bursting with wrath. They talked
freely about the serious charges made
by their manager.
"The statement that any one on the
,eam tried to throw the game IL
iicl" said Fletcher, the shortstop.
"Of course, the way the game
went il might have looked bad.
but that was not our fault. We were all
Centiaucd - paxs 4. column