Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-29
HE|N|E GROH HELPS
MATT'Y''S BIG PUSH
Third Baseman's Playing Isl
One of the Features-of :.
Reds Drive.

When the critics select the kfns~0E
National League third basemen At tho
end OF the base bail season aeinis
Groh, guardian of the near corner for
tho Cincinnati Reds. will be sure to re-
ceive honorable mention. The diminu-
tive infielder. whose playing has been
an important factor in tho SUCCESS OF
Mathewson's club. may not be the
greatest third baseman in the pastime.
but he Is one Of the best. Recently
many experts have compared his work
with that of Heinie Zimmerman, third
baseman Of the Giants, who this season
is conceded to be the peer OF all third
sackers.
Groh has developed rapidly IN the
last few seasons Not only nave MS
batting and fielding been of assistance
to the Reds in their drive toward the
TOD, but his generalship has inquired
prominently in the inside play OF
the infield. the other members OF whlch
are Hel Chase. at first: Davey Snean.
at second, and Billie Kopf at short
stop.
The little star of the Reds was born
in Rochester. n. Y, in 1889. ana 40
duired his early base ball training on
the sand lots of that city. Groh played
with many clubs in that nei8noornooo
during his youth. He took up tne sems
because he preferred base ball TO any
other line OF endeavor.
Wanted to Pitch.
ct didn't become a ball player bec2uss
I liked a life Of ease" he remarked IN
recounting the circumstances OF hisen-
trance into the game. AS a matter OF
fact. a ball players life is not a bed OF
roses. 1t entails much hard work
"As far back as am able to remem-
Der loved to play base ball. In my
youth l dreamed OF becoming Sreas
nitcher like Amos Rusie. but my small
Stature prevented my ever becoming q
pitcher 1 did pitch for some OF ene
clubs I played with in my younger.
hood, however. and mace = ~, s,nto
showing at that, but when got INTO
faster semi-professional circles ! aoan-
doned the pitching and became an m
6elder and since then I have piayeo
every position on the inneio. e
ing a hand at first base on occasloh a.,
INV fayorite position, however.
+bird base. and I am doing my utmoe.
~ that most to help the Reds keep up IN
the race this season. l am coho ~
that our club win be in the nght an tne
way. do not say 1t is a great CLUB
hut II is a we'll balanced team. ana inc
bovs are hitting and the pitching Is De-
yond the average. Nobody can laugh ~
the Reds today. We are all playing ior
Wattv> and 1 will go on record now Is
saving that he Is the finest manager LOT
whom / ever played. He Is oestiheo 20
become one of the really great leaders
of the game.
WAS with the Oshkosh club In !sos.
when that team was q member OF Ine
wisconsin and Illinois League. Desp..S
the fact that he batted only .lo1 IN -.
games. he played such q smart neloin8
came at shortstop that year that ne
Was retained, and the next season ne
jumped his batting average 70 zoo 70.
Tia games. Ever since then ne mas
managed to keep his mark wen ABOVE
the $50 notch, raising it to .2S7 In 1910.
while still with Oshkosh, and to 1888
while playing shortstop for Bunalo IN
the Eastern League in 1911. HIS pest
batting mark while IN one sstio IN
the service of the Reds. and It was -2so.
His Career.
In 1910 Cleveland put in q draft
claim for Groh and he left Oshkosh.
only to be sent back to Decatur OF the
Three League, by which club he was
sold in 1911 to the Giants. The New
York team had plenty Of infielders that
season, and August he was sent 10
Ruffalo on an optional agreement.
In 1912 he was recalled by the Giants.
but still the team was oVerstockeo Win
infielders and as 1t was thought Grons
batting wasn't quite good enough 1of
the needs of the club he was traded
May ~ to the Reds, together with Josh
Devore and Leon Ames. for Fromme.
pitcher, who was a failure with the
New York team.
Groh has been with the Reds ever
since, and often regret has been eI-
pressed that he ever was permitted to
get away from the Giants. He devel-
oned rapidly after joining the Reds I'M
iii today he divides with such players
as zimmerman and Gardner the dis
tinction of being one of the greatest
third basemen in the National League.