New-York tribune., 1921-01-21
Burkett's Son
Signs Contract
With McGraw
Famous Slugger's Offspring
to Get Chance to Make
Good With the Giants
By Raw Mccarthy

Another son of ball player, one of
the greatest hitters the game has
known, will endeavor to break into the
major leagues the coming season. The
name of this young parsonage is How
ard l.. Burkett, nineteen-years-old, son
of the famous Jesse, who crashed the
apple for an average of more than 400
in three separate and distinct cam
paigns. Jesse is the only man that ever
turned this trick. In 1895. while a
member of the Cleveland club. he
batted for .423, in 1895 for .41O and in
1899, while with St. Louis, he batted
for .402.
Needless to say, if the offspring of
tLls slogger can even approach these
figures ne will not have to wo,ry
about holding his job with the Giants
this year.
Inc son, unlike his father, is an in
fielder. His father was an outfelder.
one of the greatest that ever played
the game, although he began his
diamond career as pitcher. Howard
mas been playing sensational ball with
various professional teams around
worcester, Mass, and old Jesse, feel
ing that perhaps the youngster would
q
trial with the Giants. So the youth
came to New York and worked out with
'the squad of recruits that his father
handled daily at the Polo Grounds last
summer.
Youth Impresses McGraw
McGraw frequently visited the mark
during these morning sessions and was
particularly impressed with the show
e." or Burkett's son. Thus when the
GIANTS go to San Antonio this spring
special attention will be paid to Young
lBorkett, in the hopes of developing
MN into star infelder. Certainly
with such a teacher and hitter as his
father to give him pointers, the kid
schooling
If the younger Burkett makes good
he will have to overcome precedent It
TOR OF all the stars that have played
the game few have had sons who nave
made good in big league baseball, This
may be due to the fact that many for
mer ball players have discouraged
their sons from playing the game.
DICK kinsella. scout Of the Giants.
recommended his son, an outfelder. to
McGraw last year, and although the
youngster gives promise of eventually
making good as big Lacquer, he needs
more experience: He played good ball
with Rochester last summer.
Ford Among Few to Succeed
Jim Coqney, great ball PLAYER in
nls Gay, has son, Jim Cooney jr.. an
lnhelder, who received a trial with the
GIANTS last spring. He, too, was found
wanting because of lack Of experience.
but may return yet. Horace Ford, second
baseman of the Braves, is one of the
lew who as the son of an exho1l
player has made good. Ford's father
at one time played the infeld for ST.
Louis.
In addition to the signing Of How
ard Burkett, the Giants yeste rdav an
nounced the receipt of the contracts
OF Robert c. Bancroft, outfelder, who
halls from Lawrence, Mass, and Rob-
ert w. Grody, pitcher, of this city,
Ihese youngsters were also in Jesse
Burkett's squad last summer and have
been picked by McGraw to make max the tbe
trip south this spring.
Bancroft played in the New ENGLAND
League last season and made a reputa
ion'as one of the best outielders in
the circuit. Grody played with various
semi-pro mines in this district and ia
rated as one of the best twirlers pro-
duced in this city. He is a right
handler.
-, Everything is quiet at the office Of
the Yankees these days, awaiting the
arrival OF Midget Manager Miller Hug
gins, who is expected in town next
week. When he comes it is expected
that the locals will have few trades
to announce, for it is reported that
the midget still has hopes of obtaininc
Joe Dugan, of the Athletics.