The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-21

The youngster was a firebrand, and
he could give as good as he got. as
the older orioles who tried to play
horse with him soon discovered. The
boy could let loose quite brand OF
manded. The boy grew up to man
hood. and nobody ever has been able
to keep him from having his say.
Reference is made to John Joseph
McGraw, manager and vice president
of the New York Giants, and the
only National League manager who
ever brought home six championships.
Like his old chums, Wilbert Robin
son, Jennings. and Griffith, McGraw
got his big league start in the old
American Association, but just a short
, spell before the association combined
with the National League in the
formation of twelve-club circuit.
He Brought Luck to Orioles.
McGraw got his big league start in
game with the Columbus team,
played on August IS, 1891. and he
evidently brought the Orioles luck.
Baltimore had won only one game out
Of its last seven up to the time Nc
Graw was inserted in the Oriole line
up, and the Baltimores won the game
by n score of to 8.
Though McGraw played his greatest
big league ball at third base, he broke
into the big leagues as second base
man. The youngster had a real sue
cessful debut, as he made hit and
scored a run and accepted five out of
six chances.
Wilbert Robinson. the present man
ager of the Brooklyns, caught and
which McGraw broke in. However,
McGraw and Robby were the only
players in Baltimore's lineup that
day who starred on the famous
Oriole National League champions Of
1894. 1895, and 1896.
How many fans can 60 back and
picture what this pair looked like on
that August afternoon twenty-nine
years ago? Between them Robby and
McGraw now weigh close to 500
pounds, but Robinson then was
lean, 1.-THE athlete whs prided himself
on being basebalrs fastest catcher,
and McGraw. no bigger than that oft
quoted bag of peanuts, was just a bun
die Of nerves, a little flash. which
tore all over the infeld and never
came to a position OF repose.
Rise to Fame Rapid.
McGraw's rise to fame was rapid.
Born in Truxton, n. Y, on April Z,
1878. McGraw got his FIRST profes-
sional start at the age of seventeen
VITA the old Olean club of the New
York and Pennsylvania League.
Though Mac" exhibited a very strong
right arm in his opening game. he
succeeded IN winning the third base
job.
He was so tiny that It was impos-
sible to find a uniform that would Mt
him, but one of the largest ones was
pinned up around him, making q
rather loose-itting garment Accord
| ing to McGraw's own story of his
first game with Olean the crowd look
ed as big as IL all OF New York state
had packed the Olean park that after
noon.
The first ball hit in the game came
| bounding down to third base, and
| little Johnny made a neat pickup.
He looked UP and the first baseman
appeared to be in the next county
some miles away. 1t would take a
powerful throw to get the ball over
there, so Mac" threw just as hard
as he could. The ball sailed yards
over the first baseman's head. Sew
eral more went over the first base
mans knob before the entertainment
was over. but McGraw wasn't the
kind to be discouraged. He stuck!
Played with Cedar Rapids.
The next season found McGraw
with the Cedar Rapids club OF Illinois
Iowa League. One OF McGraw's team
mates on that Iowa club was Hennery
Fabian, the Polo Ground ground
keeper, who then was an outf1elder.
McGraw went so good in Cedar
Rapids that he was purchased by the
orioles of the American Association
in August, 1891. His first big league
contract called for 81 200 per ennum.
His present contract with the Giants
calls for $4,000, and he's a stock
holder besides. But then the cost Of
living has gone upl
The merger OF the American As
ISOLATION with the National League in
tho winter OF 1So1-1s92 put Baltimore
into the National League. McGrsw