The Washington herald., 1921-04-07
MAC HAS ALREADY
MADE GOOD WITH
PLAYERS and FANS
Vets and Kids Alike Have
Confidence in Grif's
New Manager.
ny JACK NYE.

ON bOAhD THE NATlONALo
SPECIAL CAR SOMEWHERE IN
THE SOUTH. April e.-George Nc
Brides managerial career in the
American League is largely before
him, but there is no denying the
fact that his actions and methods
on this spring training trip are an
augury of very successful future.
There is nothing really surpris-
ing in the fact that he is making
good. The fans expected it. So did
President Griffith and so did the
players.
One of the most encouraging
signs after Mac assumed the reins
was the comment of the various
players. As they drifted in to join
the Southbound crowd over a month
ago it was surprising how nearly
all of them expressed the same
views
I'm glad Mac is going to be
manager" they wohld remark.
That means everybody is going to
be hustling and fighting every min
ute. He's a fine fellow"
There was not a sorehead on the
club. as far as could be discovered.
And today the same statement
holds true. Every man is strong
for Mac and all are working their
heads off to help him succeed.
This happy family" stun has a
rather mushy sound in baseball cir
cles. but 1t almost applies here. The
men are satisfied and ambitious and
that is one of the prime principles
of success. These things will not
win without ability. but neither
will ability bring results without
them. The Nationals are blessed
with a great deal of both.
There are two kinds of managers.
One Of them is represented by such
men as George. Stallings. John Nc
Graw and Frank Chance. who had
such success with the old Cubs.
They are might is right" gentle
men of baseball. They believe in
putting the fear OF God" into the
hearts of their men. Chance, the
old Cubs will tell you, could whip
any two men on his team. Maybe
he couldn't. but he made them be-
lieve 1t. He was particularly tai
ented in "bawling" men. He rode"
all Of them. with the exception of
some of his veterans like Tinker.
Evers. Overall and Sheckard. STALL
ings is said to have the sharpest
tongue of any baseball leader.
while McGraw's bellicose qualities
are too we'll known to comment
upon.
The second class Is made up of
the managers who rule by reason.
kindness and firmness when it is
needed. Connie Mack and Iris
Speaker are examples of the sue
cessful ones along this line. George
Mcbride seems destined to be an
other.
MeBride's motto seems to be "a
square deal for all" Nothing more.
The men who work and do their
best seldom hear from him. except
when they need advice. The loaf
ers. who are few and far between
this year, find that Mac can be as
hard boiled" as the next one.
When it is necessary to issue a
call down." Mac has fluent
tongue and gives it free sway. He
uotsu nave W ulspidH luis bdichN
often.
1t is almost impossible to loaf
on Mcbride. He is like one of these
vaudeville mystics who sees all
and knows all"
There is only one boss as far as
the players go. They never think
of taking their usual troubles to
Griff.
President Griffith wasn't fooling
when he said he wouldn't interfere.
He perches in a box at every game,
while Mac runs things from the
bench. He plays golf during the
day and acts just as a regular
mogul ought TO act.
Sometimes the correspondents,
through force of habit. look up
Griff and ask him about a certain
piece OF news.
Il don't know" the president al
ways replies. with a wise look in
his eyes. Go and see Mac" So
everybody is going to see Mac.
In this connection II may be
stated that Grir is taking on new
life since he has dropped his dou-
BILE role of president and manager.
He is cheerful and happy. Time
was when the varied cares used
to keep the magnate worried, but
things are now in apple pie order.
He is satisfied that Mac can ham
die the team and though he has
assumed the secretarial duties.