New-York tribune., 1919-07-09
Over N1
Quits;
Noted Slugger
Succeeds Him
Former Star Pitcher Resigns
as Philly Manager in
Favor of Leading Batter

The unexpected has happened. Jack
Coombs, who heroically assumed the
management of the Philadelphia Ma
tional League team this year on the
canning" of Pat Moran, resigned his
post yesterday. He was promptly sue
ceeded by old wooden Shoes" Cra-
vath, the noted slugger Of the league.
Cactus" or "Gavvv," as he is better
known, will attempt to win some ball
games for the Philadelphans and to
keep the team from sliding out Of the
league entirely. While Gavvy has the
best wishes of all, he has undertaken
a herculean task and prospects are any
thing but bright. Gavvy will have to
win most of the games himself.
Clifford c. Cravath, now Manager
Cravath, was born in San Diego, Cal,
March 20, 1882. He started his ball
playing career with the San Diego club
in the California League in 1902. The
next year he played with the Los Ange-
les club of the Pacific Coast League.
He played with Los Angeles until
1908, when he was purchased by the
Boston American League club. The
next year he was sold to Chicago White
Sox and then traded to Washington.
The Senators released him to the NJ n
neapolis club of the American Associa-
ton.
After playing with this team for
three wears he was procured by the
Philadelphia Nationals. which team he
has been with ever since. Gavvy, while
not a consistent batter. has always
been a hard hitter and slugger ex.
traordinary. His average has hovered
around 29O during his stay with Phil
adelpha.
Gavvy has been clouting the ball this
season harder than an all his career,
and at present tops the National
League batters with an average OF .564;
1t is understood that Coombs and
Whitted, the captain Of the Phlllies'
had stormy interview with Baker
Yesterday, and that Whitted was told
10 leave the club owners offices.
Coombs. it is said. will retire perma-
ncntly from baseball His friends say
he was discouraged and disgusted Tor
me reason that President Baker re-
fused to provide him with competent
players.
Coombs Criticises Baker
"Cravath is my manager as long as
he lives" said Baker, after yesterdays
game in Philadelphia. There IS man
who will be success.
81 did everything that could be done
with the material | had at my dls-
posal," said Coombs. "There are weak
spots in the club and made sugges-
tions for their strengthening. not one
of which was acted upon. have no
complaint to make az to Mr.. Bakers
decision that he wanted another man
ager, but | object to his passing the
buck to me as the cause OF his team
failure. ] have great respect for Ora
vath's ability, but ! don't think he or
ANYBODY else can win ball games with
the material | had.
I'VE were in fine shape at the start OF
the season, but on our last western
trip we spent more than S2S Just Tor
tape to fix up spike wounds and otner
in niuries. Now, understand, Mr.. Baker
has ruled that the players must buy
their own tape.
"Whitted. Sticking and Meusel have
been playing games with injuries that
would have kept them on the bench
with any other team in the league.
We didn't have substitutes to take their
places and | had no way of getting any
new players"
Bakers letter accepting Coombs's
resignation said:
"In accepting your resignation and
giving you your release | want to ex-
press to you my sincerest regards.
regret very much that matters have
gone so badly with the club and know
You did all in YOUR power to win