The Washington times., 1921-04-05
GRIFFITH BARS
Jump BRENNAN.
No Certainty That Today's
Game will Be Played at
Knoxville, Tenn.
BY LOUIS A. BOUCHER.


KNOXVILLE, Tenn, April g.
Facing an investigation by Judge
Lands, Of the National Commission,
after yesterdays game at jackson,
where Umpire Bill Brennan former
ly Of the aNtional League, forfeited
the game to the New York Giants
in the third inning, President Grit
fifth says that while he will put his
ball club on the field each day in
fulfilment of his contract he will
not play any more games with Bren-
nan acting as arbitrator. Therefore,
there is no certainty that there will
be game here today, though both
the giants and the Griffmen are
here.
Two years ago Brennan caused
considerable trouble between the
Giants and the Griffs. He has done
it again. Before some 1,400 fans at
Jackson. Tenn, yesterday, he gave
Manager Mcbride two minutes to
leave the field. When Mcbride re-
fused Brennan gave the game to the
Giants, 2 to O, and the fans were
given their money back.
Vice President McGraw. Of the New
York Club. and President Griffith. OF
the Washington Club, got into bati
tie Of words then. McGraw told Grif-
fith that the Washington Club was
lucky to be allowed to play the Giants
with a fifty-fifty cut Of the gate re-
ceipts. That angered the Old Fox
who handed back a tart reply. Cool
er folks intervened and both men
returned to the Southern Hotel where
they continued their battle Of words.
CALLS FOR SEVEN GAMES.
my contract calls for my club to
play the Giants in seven games, but
it doesn't call for the appearance of
Bill Brennan in the capacity of UNI
pire, said President Griffith. I am
willing to carry out the contract to
the letter, but there will be no game
here today with Brennan umpiring.
And IL McGraw wants to go through
with his program of forcing Brennan
upon us. there will be no more games
In this series, though my club will
take the field whenever the contract
calls for them to do So"
Brennan has been tho Giants Off
cial umpire for several years. His
decision caused the famous fight be-
tween Buck Herzog and Ty Cobb.
This spring Cobb. now manager of
the Detroit club, expressed his will
lingness to have a series getween his
Tigers and the Giants. but stipulated
that Brennan coulS not umpire.
Johnny McGraw refused to arrange a
series without his pet and priced UNI
pire. There has been no series as a
result.
MAY BREAK UP SERIES.
Now 1t looks as IL Bill Brennan
would break up the Washington-New
York series. The Griffs, who played
against the Giants three years ago,
have no great love for him, and they
were quick to hop on him when he
told Monroe to take second on q wild
pitch for the fourth ball
Brennan was approached by Nc
Bride, who claimed that Monroe was
entitled to but one base. Brennan
told him that he then and there ruled
Monroe entitled to second. contrary
to the rules arranged before the
game. They bawled each other out
in loud tones. even using profanity,
and finally Brennan pulled his watch.
"Get out of here. You've got just
two minutes to leave the field or the
game goes to New York." shouted
Brennan in a loud voice.
Mcbride walked around and around.
but was right there at the end of the
two minutes. Thereupon Brennan
announced the forfeiture OF the game
to the Giants o to q.
The fans, many OF whom had como
long distances to witness the two big
league teams in action, did not like
the forfeiture. Many of them did not
hesitate to say so and for a short
while trouble doomed up. However,
the immediate announcement that all
money would be turned back to those
inside the gates calmed them and the
two punches of athletes went back
to their hotel to dress and hit the
RATHER for this town.
TROUBLE IN THIRD INNING.
The Griffs were leading when the
trouble came in the last of the third
inning. to /. Judges triple, fol-
lowed by Milans infield single.
brought over one run in the first. In
tho third. Lewis tripled to left and
scored when Foss banged a brutal sim
gle to the same location.
Barnes opened the lant Of the third
with a hit to center, stealing second
and going to third on a wild pitch by
Erickson. Burns famed. Monroe
was given walk. The fourth ball
was a wild heave to the back fence.
Barnes scoring and Brennan sending
Monroe to second. McBride's argu-
ment to the effect that Monroe should
have been permitted to take but one
base, seeing that the catcher had
helded the ball off the fence, caused
all the argument and the eventual
forfeiture.
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