The Washington herald., 1917-05-23
Exhibition Game Postponed
By Rain; Will Play July 23
If Manager Griffith Had to Be
Born Again Would Pick
Bloomington, Ill.
By JOHN A. pUGAN.

Bloomington. ILL.,, May 22.-The key to
the great little city Of Bloomington,
McLean's County, Illinois, belongs to
clark Calvert Griffith, manager Of the
Nationals, tonight.
The old weather man butted in here
today and forced the calling on of a
scheduled exhibition game between the
oId Fox's Nationals and the Bloomers
OF this little village, but this did not
stop the citizens Of the surrounding
country from making the trip here and
extend the Old Fox the tiding that go
with real home coming.
This day in Bloomington was the home
coming OF the famous pilot of the Ma
uonals and although Grin claims to
have been born in Dog Cove or Dogs
run, whichever town it is, in the great
state OF Missouri. 1t was "a real home
coming celebration here.
Even with the handicap issued by the
old weather man the crew really enjoyed
themselvesI and put in a real day of
rest within touch of the old swimming
holes OF the famous boss. To say that
Grin was given everything that his
heart would desire. would be putting it
too mildly. as he was extended every
courtesy that could BE offered, except
ing that OF working two innings against
his former home folks.
Grin was a trifle disappointed in
not being able to go on the firing line
and show the folks or this town that
he is still as good as during the days
when he was with the White Stock
ing crew of the Windy City and to
complete arrangements he granted
this Bloomington team another date.
The Nationals will meet the Bloom
ers on their next trip back from the
West when two-day lay-off is slated
This date will be July % and another
time promised the party.
Although the weather man turned
things inside out as far as the playing
of the game and the monster parade
that had been arranged, the real big
event in the form OF a banquet was
held and Grifr proved that he was a
real 300 hitter by putting over the
speech that he has been preparing for
the past two weeks
1t was great gathering around
this banquet table when the Nationals
pilot took the floor, and not feeling
a least bit embarrassed the Fox rem
dered the following:
Friends. 1 am glad to be here to-
night. 1 feel at home. I was born in
Missouri, but came here when a mere
boy. 1 haven't been here in years, but
If had to be born again, I'd be born
in Bloomington. Mclean County, Illi-
nois."
After the banquet the members of
the club were the guests of the Elks'
Club and boarded their train at 1880
tonight bound for the Windy City,
where they are due to arrive at Z
o'clock in the morning. Jimmie Shaw,
who was slated to do the mound duties
against the Brownies yesterday, will
hurl the first contest against the White
Sox tomorrow, as he. along with Bert
Gallia, made the trip direct to the
Lakeside City.
Before banquet time and before the
Old Fox made that famous speech he
made a few statements toward the ac-
tion of the American League.
The American. League intends to
steal a little OF Griffs ideas in fur
nishing the soldiers with baseball ma
terial, and the Nationals pilot Is a
little peeyed that he is not given
credit for starting the movement
Griff will interview Ban B. John
son, the president of the American
League, before the session of that cir
cult in Chicago tomorrow and find out
just what the plans are for furthering
this movemnt.
The granting of the $12,5OO by each
of the American League teams toward
the American Red Cross fund met with
the favor of Griff, while he is over
anxious to stage a game in Washing
ton on a Sunday for the same benefit
Ray Morgan, who has been on the
hospital list of the Nationals ever
since Sunday will be ready to jump
into the game today or tomorrow, as
Trainer Martin claims there are no
bones broken in his ankle and that he
should be ready when the call is issued.