The Washington herald., 1919-11-25

FI1ycEs ASuhhht IO"hs
Not many good players could last
in Washington. They all claimed that
the heat there during the season had
a very bad effect upon them. weaken
ing them to such an extent that they
could not do justice to themselves.
Other players got to thinking that
way. They figured it that way so
much. that they decided it was no
Use for them even to try to make
sood in Washington
The remark was often heard about
the circuit: why the fans over there
did get up a notch in the race. So
almost every ball player who was
sentenced to play in this city
made up his mind right then and
there that he was to be a tail-ender,
and made no effort to make good.
This is the truth and it is why you
fans in Washington always had such
a bad club.
Changed when Grin Took Hold.
All this was changed when Griffith
took charge He made only a few
changes in his team. but as he had
''One team alone in Walter Johnson
all that was necessary was to get a
ANN fNAiN ~ ill anu
me of the very frst players he got
was Arnold Gandil who, with John
son. made the team.
When the race was finished the
name of Washington was placed be-
low Boston and anea'I OF IhS o, ,.... -
who hal won The pennaut ~ i9'l.
Couldn't BE Possible.
Must be some mistake" some s:;,rl.
others declared. why that team has
10 license to be up in second place.
Who ever heard Of such a thing
hut to prove that neither the heat
or anything" nor the other clubs
Tor that matter, either. could stop the
hustling bunch of youngsters that he
had gathered together. Manager Grif-
the performance. again placing the
name of Washington second on the
list.
Mana ger Griffith was always a wise
ball player.
AS stated above when Griffith took
charge of the Washington team he
had Walter johnson as a starter.
Tipped on to johnson.
Now ! am going to tip off the local
fans just how near they failed to land
this same Walter johnson. For yeaIs
travelled to Hot SPRINGS with the
Pittsburg Pirates 70 report the, doinSs
for the papers. In tho spring of 1861
Young man named Mcclure. whO
bal been umpiring around the diff
ferent places where Johnson was max
ing a name for himself as a twirier.
came down 10 the Springs to do a
little bit of training himself
Ha nd I ha e. -,
and three or four days before we were
ready for the getaway from the train
ing camp he came up to my room and
said: Mr.. Moreland you have given
me lot of good tips on umpirin2.
now / am going to tip you of to Il
pitcher who know would like to Ge;
try-out with some big league club
His name is johnson. Walter John
son. and he is pitching up in Weiser
and it will take but 81 for railroad
ticket to get him here and if he don't
make good his fare back home will h..
the same. That is every cent he viii
cost
Fred Clarke was manager of the
Pirates and / gave him the tip. He
put the name in his little book, re-
marking. I have a friend up that wav
and 1 will write him. As our stay is
but three days more will not have
an opportunity to give him a trial so
will take it up with my friend.
Fred Clark Blows Walter.
Fred evidently forgot all about the
name and one day in June I read an
account that Blankenship. the Wash
Ington catcher signed Walter johnson
Tor the Washington club.
asked Fred il that was not the
anne name I gave him at Hot Springs
and he looked at his book-same fell
low. Think OF a player like Walter
Johnson being secured for 500, Some
lay am going to tell you how much
q cost to secure Cy Young. Hans
Wagner, Rube Waddeu and other
players who turned out to be stars
MrAIeer Resigns.
At the end of 1911 Manager McAIeer
announced that he had purchased the
controlling interest of the Boston
club and would not be connected with
the Nationals This statement caused
many a wonder who would be the next
unfortunate victim to try to get the
team out of the second division. 1t
was not long until the fans Of this
city discovered that the new manager