The Washington herald., 1916-01-01
Griffith Lands James Parks,
Of Atlanta, Upon Recon-
mendation Of Friend.
HE Is AN NFIELDER
BY WILLIAM PEET.

This little New Years story will in
troduce to the Washington public James
Parks, of Atlanta, Ga, who has just
been signed by Clark Grlffith for trial
with the Nationals next season.
I'm giving Parks a trial for the rea-
son that he has been recommended by
Otto Jordan, former Atlanta manager,
and one-time star of the Brooklyn Ma
tional League club" states Griff.
According to Jordan. this young chap
is besrcat and headed right straight
for the major leagues, lie can play sec
ond, >third or shortstop and is a slash
ing hitter. ! shall give Parks every
chance to make good and II he shows the
proper stun / shall retain him." the old
Fox added.
Parks, according to information received
from Atlanta. Ca. by the writer, is only
a schoolboy but showed wonderful prom
Use. He played last season with the Dot
han club of the Florida Ala bams Georgia
League and batted near the 800 mark,
Previous to Joining Dothau, Parks
had played only high school baseball
and was also a member of the city
amateur leagues. He stands feet 10
inches. weighs 16o pounds, and is
right-hand thrower and hitter.
Innis Brown, sporting editor of the
Atlanta Journal, in a personal tele-
gram to the writer. says: 81 consider
Parks a promising young ball player.
While at school in this city he played
an infield position. but when he Joined
the Dothan club / understand he was
shifted to the outfeld. and later
played third base. / doubt IL he has
quite the experience necessary to quail
ify him for the majors. but Otto Jor-
dan and others who played in the
same league declare that the kid is
a coming ball player. Ira Thomas. of
the Athletics. looked Parks over and
was favorabiy impressed with the
youngster."
List to this from a Western paper:
Some people are a bit dull of compre-
hension." says Scotty Chestnut the
Southern League umpire. I've were
down at Orlando. Fla. in the spring and
announced the batteries one day. At
that time Stuffy johnson and Arthur
Johnson were both on the Birmingham
club. I walked out In front of the stands
and yelled: johnson will pitch and John
son will catch for Birmingham Some
jay rose up in the grand stand and
bawled: 'Howthhell does he do it,"
There is no man In baseball. nor has
there been for ten years, who is making
the money that Christy Mathewson has
made on practically no investment. For
long time Matty was the highest sal
aried man in the game. Last year he got
S, 200 for fifty-two baseball stories and
an occasional magazine contribution. He
has an insurance business which dove
tails with the diamond game. He has
good investments by reason OF the en-
tree he gained through his baseball con-
nections. He's said to be worth $4,000,
although always a conservative manipu-
lator. but:
Matty his been for ten years the
greatest pitcher in the game.
He's now the best golf player in base
ball.
Only Bob Wallace can make things
interesting for him in billiards
Nobody in baseball can make things
interesting for Matty in chess or check
ers. He has toured the Y. NJ. C. AS
on EXHIBITION tours
He plays better hand at bridge than
anybody in his profession. so good that
his income from this alone is not to be
spoofed at.
He can play poker so well that he'll
break up a game by merely "sittin' in"
Indeed, he acknowledges only one de-
feat. George Baumgardner Is a better
dancer, but then George isn't the ball
player that Matty is.