The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-04-26
CINCINNATI. O., April 2b.-"For Chi.
ago-Fred Merklc now playing nrsI
rsw York Giants and Manager the Cincinnati 1SAs.

CINCINNATI. O.. April 26-'"For Chi,
Cago-Fred Merklc now playing Hrs'
base"
Sounds funny. doesn't it? There were
! folks who said along about september
IS. 1905 Mcrklc was playing lot tne
cubs that day when Johnny Erers was
So insistent on second base being touch-
I'd matter he has always been 1ussy
about.
However, Fred Mitchell made a wise
move in grabbing Merklc Win S4leI
wrapped up In cotton batting because
of Il Splintercd shin. and he has auueo
II good hall player to his club. 1t has
always been my opinion that McGraw
is responsible for the success or 'ne
nrst baseman. and his treatment OF
McrkIe shows how he uses his ball play
crS.
There is little doubt in my mind that
Fared's failure To Step on the naS ~,
1916 COST the Giants 4 lot OF dough anu
/ he Worlds Championship-one or NC
Gr:tw's greatest goals. After w1nnihg
the play-ofI game from us. the Cuns
had little trouble in taking the Detroit
Tigers for the big money by four games
TO one. | think that the Giants. In spite
Of the fart some Of the players were
crippled from the hard fight, would
have won the title from the. Tigers.
Well. I recall what McGraw said after
we lost the critical game.
I'VE ran the wrong way OF the track.
he remarked in the club house. MaEne
the Cubs are stronger to represent the
league in the worlds Series anyway.
No hint Of blame for McrkIc in his
autopsy. And it hurt him. but Mac is
q. good loser. He has been on the short
end Of two rs tough decisions AS fate
ever delivered in baseball. When me
BOSTON Red SoX beat US out or tne
worlds Championship in extra innings
IOOke4l
as if we had the game sewed up, II was
no easy defeat to absorb. On the way
back to New York. said friend TO Nc
Graw:
Have n drink, John"
IT'S no time to drink now" he answ-
cred I've got to spend all my time
figuring how 10 come through next sea-
SON
Following the defeat of the Giants IN
1905 with the newspapers and fans rid
ing him. Mcrkln was ready to quit tne
game and talked to McGraw ABOUT It,
Mac wouldn't hear Of IT,, .,a,,
say," counselled the Giants boss.
you're L good ball player. and III stick lex
to you. You can count on that. Ihey u
forget oil about your failure TO touch
ANYBODY was liable TO do that same
Thing. Show 'cm how game you are.
Fred tid--a game Goer Is he
No matter how strong McGraw hawlS
ont q man, he knows he will get a
snuarc deal as long as he does his best
and behaves himself. Players on other
clubs had been doing the same thing
McrkIc did in the same situation all
summer and. getting away with II: II
had happened against tho CUBS IN PITTS
hurrh q short time before the tragedy
nj tho Polo grounds. and It was the
ninrt Evers who called Hank ODay's at
tcntinu TO Il. go
And Fred Merkle Is now with the
Cubs. Tho former Giant told me. while
in town here. he liked his new b1rVh.
Basaball makes strange bed-fcllows.
Nv cobb and 'lTcrzog may he getting up
n partnership ono OF those days-and
they Will If there is any money In II.
"AnythinE To got in the game every
day instead Of the bench as in Brook
lvn," said Mcrklr 10 me. But the old
Giants were the best.
When Larry Doyle first Joined the
Giants. he made more errors than any
BODY thought there were In the Big
Leagues before. and he promptly packed
up his bag nftcr kicking the baseball in
the shtnS one afternoon until he had
worn all the epidcrms off It. and 1t
was badly winged. He also lost the ball
game.
ed Doyle when he offered TO turn in his
suit roll.
Back to where I came from before
you send me-" answered the coming
star.
YOU are not" declared McGraw. You
nrn going to work for me. Stop that
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