The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-01-12
BRIDE WILL
LEAD GR|FFS
Washington's Veteran lntield
Star Officially Named
, Teams Leader.
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est performance as shortstop had
brought glory to the Capital.
Manager Mcbride was born In NIL
waukee, Nov. II, 1881, and has lived
there during the offseason ever sine
going into baseball. He was pro-
duct OF the Milwaukee sandlots when,
back in 1902. he got trial with the
Milwaukee and Kansas City Clubs OF
the American Associa' lon. Though a
green kid. his fielding was IN no ~
email However, his batting average
of $50 caused him to be sent 10
Peoria in the Western League in 1908.
Mcbride found himself with the st.
Joseph Western League Club in 1904.
He had played third base for NJ =
waukee and Kansas City and second
base for Peoria, but he was placed at
shortstop at st. Joe and 1t was as
shortstop that he did his greatest
work in the field.
GOES TO PITTSBURGH.
The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Nc
Bride in the fall OF 1904 and he re-
ceived brief trial at third base on'y
to be traded to the Cardinals for Davy
Brain. an experienced thirdsacker.
With the st. Louis Club McBri'e
impressed the fans with his fielding
but his stick work was woefully
weak and on August %, 1906 he was
released to Kansas City in the Ameri-
can Association. At that time his
batting average against National
League pitchers was a mere leo.
Mcbride played brilliantly with the
Kansas City Blues in 1907 and on
September he was sold to the Wash
ington Club. In the spring Of 1913
he played his first game as a member
OF the Washington American l. ague
Club and he has been here ever since.
AS q fielder Mcbride has been r
passed by few shortstops in big league
circles. Tall, active as a cat, with an
arm Of steel, George has covered so
much ground as to make it poss BILE
for creaking veterans like Kid Elber-
field and Wild Conroy to look good
on either side Of him.
GREAT AROUND SECOND.
In his prime as an infielder. Nc
Brides brilliancy taking throws at
second base made wonderful reputa-
lions for Washingtons catchers. No
matter how wild the pegging from
back Of the plate. Mcbride always
got the ball and his marvellous skill
in tagging runners gave him a reput-
alton known all over the country.
However. brilliant as he was in the
field, Mcbride was never a heavy
hitter. He had begun with a poor
stytS. aud WAS never able to over
come this weakness. He did. however.
have way of smashing out singles
in pinches which made up in some
degree for his general weakness.
McBride's best batting year with
the Washington club was in 1911
when he hit for .235, his worst in
1914 when .2O3 was the best he could
get over an entire campaign.
In 1917 McBrides legs began to
bother him. In his prime he was al
most impervious to injury and, even
when injured. he was always able
to keep his place in the lineup. But
finally the strain became too great
and Manager Griffith realized that
the once great infielder had come to
the end of the road.
ARM is STILL GOOD.
Then Manager Grifnth began ex-
perimenting, hoping to make short
stop out of Hank Shanks when
Johnny Lavan was sent to st. Louis.
Mcbride was used now and then, dis
playing his great arm as of yore but
slowing up sadly on the bases. 1t
was apparent to all, including Nc
Bride himself. that his playing days
were done.
not an active player Mcbride has re-
tanned his captaincy of the team and,
strange as 1t may seem, there has
never been a murmur from any active
player. against McBride's anomalous
position. Georges popularity Is as
strong among his fellow players as
it ever was with the cheering thou
sands in the days of his greatest en-
deavors
Mcbride has been a sort OF assis-
tant manager ever since giving way
to youngster in the infeld, Last
spring many believed that by the Fourth
of July President Griffith would tire
of climbing into a uniform daily and
would name Mcbride as his success
sor However, the Old Fox showed
more stamina than was expected and
finished the season as q field leader
as well as president of the club
Mcbride went to his home still in the
ranks.
FANS WILL APPLAUD.
Washington fans are sure to ap-
palud the appointment of George NC
Bride as manager Of the Griffmen for
the coming season. He is popular
with all fair-minded sportsmen who
admire a game man on the field and
more than merely admired by those
who have made him a friend.
Through days of triumph and
through days of gloomy despair we
have seen George Mcbride show all